A A U P

Auburn University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors

Auburn University, AL 36849

2003‑2004 OFFICERS

Gary Mullen, Presidentt Entomology and Plant Pathology 301 Funchess Hall Tel: (334) 844‑2554 Email: mullegr@auburn.edu Christa Slaton, President-Elect Political Science, 7080 Haley Center Tel: (334) 844-6123 Email: slatocd@auburn.edu Isabelle Thompson, Secretary/Treasurer English, 9030 Haley Center Telephone: 334-844-3134 E-mail: thompis@auburn.edu Glenn Howze, Immediate Past President Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology 202 Comer Hall Tel: (334) 844- 5631 E-mail: ghowze@ag.auburn.edu Judith Sheppard, Editor, Chapter Newsletter Journalism, 320 Tichenor Hall Tel: (334) 844-4594 E-mail: sheppje@auburn.edu 2003-2004 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Jim Bradley Biological Sciences, 101 Life Sciences Bldg Telephone: 334-844‑9262 E-mail: bradlj@auburn.edu J. Wayne Brewer Entomology and Plant Pathology 301 Funchess Hall Telephone: 334-844-7095 E-mail: brewejw@auburn.edu Robin Jaffe Theatre, 211 Telfair B Peet Theatre Tel: (334) 844-6618 E-mail: jaffero@mail.auburn.edu Robert J. Jakeman History, 310 Thach Hall Tel: (334) 844-6634 E-mail: jakemrj@auburn.edu Renee Middleton Counseling and Counseling Psychology 3084 Haley Center Telephone: 334-844-4446 E-mail: middre@auburn.edu Virginia E. O’Leary Psychology, 226 Thach Hall Telephone: 334-844-6492 E-mail: olearvi@auburn.edu WEB SITE: http://www.auburn.edu/~aaup/ Richardson, Feb. 3, 2004

February 3, 2004 Dr. Ed Richardson Interim President Auburn University Dear Dr. Richardson: On January 30, the Auburn Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) met to discuss recent events surrounding the resignation of William F. Walker as president and your appointment as interim president at Auburn University. Although a range of reactions and opinions were expressed, the consensus was two-fold: (1) disappointment that your selection as interim president was made without involvement of the faculty in this important governance decision; and (2) at the same time, a commitment on the part of our AAUP chapter to work with you in any way we can to further the goal of getting Auburn University removed from probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). To this end I am enclosing a copy of the AAUP handbook Policy Documents & Reports (9^th ed.), usually referred to as the Red Book. It outlines the principles of AAUP regarding the relationship between the faculty and administration, and provides time-honored statements and guidelines for ensuring appropriate faculty participation in shared governance. We would be pleased to have you meet either with the Executive Committee or with the chapter members to discuss Auburn’s future and especially the role of shared governance. Members of our executive committee met with Provost Hanley in December. At that meeting he indicated his interest in conferring with AAUP on faculty-related matters and supporting faculty involvement in the decision-making process. Dr. Hanley also was agreeable to meeting with the AAUP executive committee on a regular basis to discuss topics and issues of mutual interest. We hope to schedule the first such meeting shortly. 2 We wish you every success as interim president, and especially in your efforts to gain reaccreditation by SACS and to remove Auburn from SACS probation. Sincerely, Gary R. Mullen President Auburn Chapter, AAUP Enclosure: AAUP Policy Documents & Reports cc: Provost Thomas Hanley