9/1/06 David M. Granger, 334/844-9999 (grangdm@auburn.edu)
Deedie Dowdle, 334/844-9999 (ddowdle@auburn.edu)

AU BOARD OF TRUSTEES VOTES TO REMOVE INTERIM FROM RICHARDSON’S TITLE, MAKING HIM 17th PRESIDENT OF AUBURN UNIVERSITY

AUBURN - The Auburn University Board of Trustees today unanimously voted to remove interim from Ed Richardson’s title, making him the 17th president of Auburn University.

The Board’s vote came after it was read a letter from AU Trustee Dwight Carlisle, chair of the Board’s Assessment Committee. Carlisle was not present at today’s meeting.

“As Chair of the Assessment Committee, I have had the opportunity to observe Dr. Richardson during his entire tenure,” Carlisle wrote. “Based upon these observations, I believe it is time that the Board considers removing the ‘interim’ from Dr. Richardson’s title and, by such action, name him as the 17th president of Auburn University. I am recommending this action due to his overall performance and many successes during his tenure as Interim President.

“This recommendation is with my knowledge and understanding that Dr. Richardson will not be a candidate in the presidential search and will step down as president as soon as a new president is selected and in office.”

Carlisle’s recommendation was put in the form of a motion by Trustee James Rane. Rane’s motion was seconded by Trustee Charles McCrary.

In seconding the motion, McCrary noted that the move would have no impact on AU’s current presidential search and produced a letter from AU’s presidential search consultant saying that the move “would not have any negative impact on the search process.”

“Properly explained to the candidates that (Richardson) would in no circumstances become a candidate in the current presidential search, the action would not have any negative effect on the search process,” wrote search consultant John Kuhnle of Korn/Ferry International. “Such a decision by the board in my view would be an appropriate recognition of Dr. Richardson’s courageous leadership of and distinguished service to Auburn University.”

In other action, the Board approved a budget that would use portions of AU’s record state appropriation to fund additional scholarships for deserving Alabama students and a new alternative fuels initiative.

The record appropriation is also being used to increase faculty salaries to near 99 percent of the regional average and to fund initiatives within AU’s Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.

“We were pleased and very appreciative of the Legislature and Gov. (Bob) Riley for the appropriation we received in the most recent Legislative session,” Richardson said. “These additional funds will allow us to address some of Auburn’s and the state’s greatest needs. This is a good start.”

The new budget approves $2 million from AU’s general fund for scholarships. In addition, Richardson announced that an additional $1 million would come from a new foundation through which the Auburn Alumni Association has committed to make available revenue from its affinity credit card program.

“The Board of Trustees has established providing additional scholarships to in-state students as a high priority,” Richardson said. “With the appropriation we received this year, we were able to fund this priority now so that additional scholarships would be available for fall semester of 2007.

“I also want to commend the Auburn Alumni Association for its commitment of funds for these scholarships. This is a great example of how the alumni, too, saw a need and helped the university address that need.”

The new budget also commits $3 million to the Auburn Alternative Fuel Initiative, a new initiative aimed at advancing economic development in the state through reinvigoration of natural resource-based industries and establishing new industries based on energy and value-added products from renewable biomass. Richardson said $2 million would come from the general fund and an additional $1 million from the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

“This initiative has great potential for a state like Alabama with a large agricultural base,” Richardson said. “Auburn has some of the world’s leading researchers in this area, so the initiative and the investment in the initiative make sense. In addition, the initiative is consistent with our land-grant mission, with our emphasis on research and with our commitment to help enhance the state’s economic development and create jobs for Alabamians.”

The new state money is also being used to fund salaries and benefits for AU faculty, staff and other employees. In particular, it has allowed AU to raise faculty salaries to near 99 percent of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) average - a goal set by the Board of Trustees several years ago.

In addition, the money is being used to fund a growing number of initiatives out of Auburn’s Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. These initiatives include those aimed at the recruitment and retention of minority students and the recruitment of minority and women faculty.

Auburn University is a comprehensive research institution with more than 23,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities nationally, Auburn is Alabama's largest educational institution, offering more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.
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