Steering Minutes

AU Senate Steering 
August 22, 2023
3:30 PM 

Members Present: Lisa Kensler (Chair), Linda Gibson-Young (Secretary), Mark Carpenter (Past-chair), Lori Eckhardt (Chair-elect), Jaena Alabi (Secretary-elect), Vini Nathan (Provost), Evelyn Hunter (Rules appointee), J. Brian Anderson (Presidential appointee), Robert Cochran (Presidential appointee) Members Absent: L. Octavia Tripp (Rules appointee, excused)

Chair welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 3:30 PM. All members present introduced self and role with AU.   

Steering Minutes from June 6, 2023 were tabled until September. Minutes required from past Secretary. Executive Committee planning to review recording.

Senate Business: 

• Review of AU Senate Orientation on 8/16/2023. 63 Senators present, Evaluation now submitted via Qualtrics Survey; Will report to Executive Committee.  

• Steering Committee member appointed by Rules Committee has medical issues and will not be able to complete requirements in Fall 2023. Will return open position to Rules Committee as a substitute for Fall only.   

• Discussion of Agenda Items for August 29, 2023.  

a)     Administration comments- Vini Nathan stated she would highlight programmatic updates and Dean searches.  

b)    Action Item for Agenda– Voting on meeting over Zoom – Lisa Kensler addressed plans to vote on meeting formats.  

c)     Action Item for Agenda – Voting on Senate Committees (n = 4 Senate Committees) – Linda Gibson-Young addressed plan for completing committees for 2023-4.  

d)    Information Item – New High Deductible Option – Ann Shore (Carla McCormick) 10-minute planned preview for rollout plan for (prioritize questions from senators)  https://www.auburn.edu/administration/human_resources/benefits/hdhp.php#TownHallsandForums

Recommendation to move the Information Item after the AU Senate is Adjourned.  

• Unfinished or New Business 

1. Policy Discussion Items for Senate Steering Committee are voted on via email  

a) HIPPA – will note question raised about use of University/University Healthcare Components. 

b) Greek Life and Insurance – no concerns received.  

c) Safety Inspections Off Campus – will forward questions regarding 1- applicability to off campus housing; 2-is three years often enough?  

d) Base Pay Policy – will forward comments regarding need to reference privacy policies. 

e)   Student Employment Policy – Discussion regarding graduate students 20hours/week- new policy addressed a statement regarding graduate students.   We confirmed this was a re-statement of another longstanding graduate school   policy.

2. Chair recommends we initiate the planning for Fall Faculty Meeting October 2023. All encouraged to address topic areas.  

Adjourned at 4:45.