Jennifer Brooks

Auburn University's Board of Trustees dissolved the faculty senate, granting itself authority over academic decisions. New laws in Alabama and other states empower politically appointed university boards while reducing tenure protections and faculty influence over curriculum and leadership.

Auburn University's Board of Trustees dissolved the faculty senate, granting itself authority over academic decisions, following new state laws in Alabama and other states that empower politically appointed university boards while weakening tenure protections and faculty influence. Similar laws in Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Indiana have shifted power toward administrators and political appointees.

Auburn University's Board of Trustees dissolved the faculty senate, granting itself authority over academic decisions. Alabama and other states have passed laws increasing political control over public universities, weakening tenure protections and faculty influence. Similar measures have been enacted in Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Indiana.

Auburn University's Board of Trustees dissolved the faculty senate, granting itself authority over academic decisions. Similar laws in Alabama and other states are increasing political control over public universities while reducing faculty influence and tenure protections.

Auburn University's Board of Trustees dissolved the faculty senate and established a new council appointed by university officials to oversee curricula. The move grants the president and provost direct control over course approvals and academic policies, drawing criticism from faculty. The decision follows Alabama's HB 580, which limits faculty senate powers but exempted Auburn and the University of Alabama.