Quick Index to Items of Special Interest:

Grade Inflation Report

Grant-in-Aid Program Revisions (Initial Proposal) (Approved Version)

Harassment Policy

Internet Access Policy

Resolution)

Retirees' Health Insurance

Semesters Versus Quarters: (Approval of Change) (Resolution)

Special Admissions (Resolution) (Recommendations by Task Force)

April 2, 1996:

The Senate gave its final approval to the academic calendar proposed by the Calendar & Schedules Committee for 1997-1998, after approving an amendment that moved the last day of Fall Quarter classes from Thursday, December 4 to Friday, December 5. An amendment that would have delayed the start of Fall Quarter 1997 by one day (to September 24) was rejected. (4/2/96)

The Senate gave its preliminary approval to the proposed calendar for 1998-1999, after moving the last day of Fall Quarter 1998 from Thursday, December 3 to Friday, December 4. (4/2/96)

The Senate endorsed recommendations proposed by Paula Backscheider of the Retention Crossfunctional Team, and approved formation of a new standing Senate committee on Student Retention. (4/2/96)

A resolution "applauding" members of the A.U. Board of Trustees for their "spirited advocacy" of Auburn University at the Board meeting on March 6, 1996, was adopted by the Senate after amendment to include praise of President Muse for his actions at that meeting. (4/2/96)

March 12, 1996:

The Senate accepted a proposal by the A.U. Admissions Office to re-center SAT scores used for admission to Auburn University. (3/12/96)

The report and recommendations of the Senate Task Force on Special Admissions were accepted by the Senate after withdrawal of a motion to refer them back to the Task Force for revision. (3/12/96)

Changes in the Research Grant-in-Aid program that will affect the grant review process were accepted by the Senate. A provision that would have expanded eligibility to include non-tenure track faculty was deleted following discussions with the Senate Research Grant-in-Aid Committee. (3/12/96)

A resolution was adopted establishing an ad hoc committee to study the appropriateness and impact of Total Quality Management (TQM) at Auburn University. (3/12/96)

February 13, 1996:

The Senate rejected a report by the Senate Academic Standards Committee that concluded grade inflation has occurred at Auburn University and that suggested five actions to control the problem. (2/13/96)

The Senate adopted a resolution offered by Gary Swanson that expressed "deep disappointment in [the] violation of trust by the University Administration and the Board of Trustees" in their granting of raises to two senior AU administrators. An attempt to amend the resolution by deleting reference to the "University Administration" failed. (2/13/96)

January 9, 1996:

A proposal from an ad hoc study committee that would have changed eligibility for, and review of, Research Grants-in-Aid, was referred to the Senate Research Grant-in-Aid Committee for further review and rewriting, and the Grant-in-Aid Committee was asked to bring the revised policy to the Senate at a later date. (1/9/96)

November 14, 1995:
No actions were taken.

October 17, 1995:

The Senate rejected a proposal requiring current A.U. retirees to pay an increasing percentage of the cost of their A.U. health insurance premium, so that, after 6 years, they would be paying 100% of the premium cost. (10/17/95)

The Senate approved a recommendation that current A.U. retirees, including those retiring prior to September 1, 1996, be "grandfathered in" to the current A.U. health insurance plan. (10/17/95)

The Senate approved a recommendation to President Muse that he defer consideration of the proposed incremental increase in the percentage of the A.U. health insurance premium that future retirees would have to pay. (10/17/95)

October 3, 1995:

The Senate referred back to the Academic Computing Committee the proposed "Auburn University Policy Regarding Internet Access and Applications." The committee was instructed to review and rewrite the policy with assistance from concerned faculty members. (10/3/95)

The Senate approved the 1995-96 nominees to Senate Committees that were proposed by the Rules Committee. (10/3/95)

August 8, 1995:

The Senate adopted a resolution honoring recent Auburn University retirees for their service to the University. (8/8/95)

July 11, 1995:
Meeting was cancelled.

June 13, 1995:

The Senate approved addition of the Memorial Day holiday to the Auburn University calendar for 1996-97 and for all subsequent years. The motion was amended before approval to stipulate deletion of one class day from Spring Quarter of the 1996-97 academic year. (6/13/95) [NOTE: In February 1996, President Muse rejected the addition of the Memorial Day holiday to the 1996-97 AU academic calendar.]

The Senate accepted the 1996-97 academic calendar proposed by Ed Ramey from the Calendar & Schedules Committee, after the calendar was revised to include the Memorial Day holiday and to delete one class day from Spring Quarter. (6/13/95)

The Senate accepted the similarly revised provisional calendar for 1997-1998. (6/13/95)

The Senate defeated a motion to adopt a resolution ordering the Calendar & Schedules Committee to conduct a faculty referendum on the proposed change to a semester calendar. (6/13/95)

May 9, 1995:

The Senate accepted revisions in Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 8, and the Index, of the Faculty Handbook, as proposed by the Faculty Handbook Review Committee. (5/9/95)

The Senate accepted the report by the Ad hoc Committee to Study Possible Change in the Auburn Calendar System, which recommended adopting a semester calendar system. (5/9/95)

The Senate elected 3 new members to the Senate Rules Committee: Glenn Howze, Becky Liddle, and Ida Reed. (5/9/95)

April 4, 1995:

After amendment, the Senate accepted Section 5 of the report from the Ad hoc Committee on Harassment Policy. The amendments 1) prohibited use of information obtained in an informal hearing during a subsequent formal hearing; 2) gave 3 students voting privileges on the proposed Harassment Complaint Committee; and 3) extended the statute of limitations described in Section A from 6 months to 12 months. (4/4/95)

The Senate accepted Recommendation 6 concerning a policy on consensual amorous relationships, and Recommendation 7 which advised preparation and distribution of a pamphlet dealing with sexual harassment. (4/4/95)

The Senate defeated a motion to adopt a resolution delaying until Fall Quarter the Senate's consideration of a proposed change to a semester calendar. (4/4/95)

The Senate tabled a motion to accept the report of the Ad hoc Committee to Study Possible Change in the Auburn Calendar System, which recommended changing to a semester calendar. (4/4/95)

March 14, 1995:

The Senate accepted Recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 4, of the report by Glenn Howze from the Ad hoc Committee on Harassment Policy. Recommendation 1 established a university-wide definition of harassment; Recommendation 2 added "sexual orientation" to the list of characteristics protected under the University's harassment policy; Recommendation 3 added to the Faculty Handbook certain wording drawn from federal law; and Recommendation 4 inserted into the Faculty Handbook a statement clarifying the intent that the harassment policy not infringe on academic freedom. (3/14/95)

The Senate tabled a motion by Glenn Howze to accept Recommendation 5 of the report, which proposed formal and informal hearing procedures for handling harassment complaints. (3/14/95)

The Senate approved a recommendation by John Pritchett from the Graduate Council that departmental plans for Graduate Faculty membership require periodic review at intervals not to exceed 7 years. (3/14/95)

The Senate adpoted, after amendment, a resolution offered by Steve McFarland that recognized the threat of partisan politics to academic freedom, and directed the Senate Chair to express Senate's continuing commitment to academic freedom. The amendment removed reference to 4 specific events. (3/14/95)

The Senate adopted a resolution offered by Conner Bailey advising President Muse to defer rankings of university programs for purposes of budget allocation until adequate data are available and have been determined to be valid and reliable. (3/14/95)

February 14, 1995:

The Senate accepted a report by Carol Daron from the Core Curriculum Oversight Committee that would allow the Committee to recommend to the Provost "minor" changes in the Core Curriculum. (2/14/95)

The Senate adopted Tim Boosinger's motion proposing a two-year moratorium on "substantive" changes to the Core Curriculum, allowing time for evaluation of existing courses and prohibiting addition of new courses during the interim. (2/14/95)

The Senate adopted a resolution offered by Gary Swanson expressing the Senate's disappointment with implementation of a "Special Admissions" policy by the A.U. administration and the Trustees; and appointing a Task Force to study the new policy and report back to the Senate by October 1, 1995. (2/14/95)

January 10, 1995:

The Senate accepted a report by Herb Rotfeld from the Ad hoc Committee to Study Professional Improvement Leave Policy, which proposed two major changes in the current procedure for granting Professional Improvement Leave. (1/10/95)

November 8, 1994:

The Senate approved 1994-95 nominations to Senate Committees that were proposed by the Rules Committee. (11/8/94)

The Senate approved a motion by Ed Ramey to adopt the 1995-96 academic calendar that was proposed by the Calendar & Schedules Committee. That calendar includes a week-long Thanksgiving break and a 5-day final examination period. (11/8/94)

The Senate approved a motion by Ed Ramey to give preliminary acceptance to a calendar proposed for 1996-97. (11/8/94)

The Senate approved changes to the Academic Honesty Code that were offered by Betty Fendly of the Academic Honesty Committee. (11/8/94)

The Senate approved a report from Carol Daron and Drew Clark of the Curriculum Committee proposing definitions and policies for academic programs, majors, and minors. The report was amended before acceptance to make the policies governing majors and minors more consistent. (11/8/94)

October 4, 1994:
No actions were taken.