Auburn University's Board of Trustees Adopts Academic Curriculum and Faculty Consultation Policies

The Auburn University Board of Trustees today approved two policies that define how academic programs and curriculum are reviewed and how faculty perspectives are incorporated into university leadership discussions: the Board Policy on Academic Curricula, Courses, Syllabi, and Core Educational Requirements and the Board Policy on the Presidential Academic Advisory Council.

These policies reflect the Board’s constitutional responsibility to govern Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery. Together, the policies establish a university-wide framework for academic oversight, transparency and accountability while creating a formal process for faculty input on key academic matters. The Board directed President Christopher B. Roberts to lead the implementation of its adopted policies in accordance with the Board’s direction.

The Curriculum policy reaffirms the Board’s oversight of degree programs, credentials, core educational requirements, courses, syllabi and related academic processes. It is intended to advance academic quality, transparency, consistency and institutional alignment while preserving meaningful faculty participation.

Auburn’s Student Government Association has advocated for a campus-wide syllabus bank for years. The SGA supported students’ ability to review course expectations, grading structures, required materials and major assignments to help students understand what a course entails before they commit to it. Many peer institutions, such as the University of Florida, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University, Clemson University and Purdue University, have similar syllabus repositories.

“Students deserve access to the information they need to make informed academic decisions before they register for classes,” said SGA President Willis Orr, a junior business analytics major. “This resource will give students greater insight into course expectations, workload and requirements while helping them build schedules that support their success. We are excited to see this long-standing student priority will become a reality and grateful to the Board of Trustees for making this possible.”

The Presidential Academic Advisory Council policy establishes a refreshed framework for faculty consultation. It is intended to provide the President, Provost and senior leadership with faculty expertise and perspective on matters including curriculum, educational quality, faculty affairs, student success, accreditation and institutional effectiveness.

“Auburn is strengthened by faculty whose expertise, dedication and scholarship sustain the excellence of our teaching, research and service to students,” said Vini Nathan, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. “As this work moves forward, it will be guided by academic quality, intellectual rigor, educational excellence and clear communication so that the resulting processes reflect both institutional purpose and the values that have long shaped Auburn’s academic community.”