Auburn University Structure

In its totality, Auburn University is composed of four divisions—two separately accredited institutions and two units related to its land-grant mission. Each was established by the Alabama legislature, their creation taking place as follows:

1. Auburn University.Auburn University was chartered in 1856, following the passage of the Morrill Act, becoming the South’s first land-grant institution. Auburn University is located in Auburn, Alabama, and also includes three SACSCOC-approved off-campus instructional sites in Mobile, AL; Elmore, AL; and Newbern, AL.
2. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) was established in 1883 to conduct scientific research to advance Alabama’s agricultural and forestry industries, pursuant to an action of the Alabama Legislature. AAES research is conducted at 16 research centers—two in and near Auburn, Alabama, and 14 others throughout the State of Alabama. AAES is administered by a director who reports to the University President.
3. Alabama Cooperative Extension System.The Alabama Cooperative Extension System was created in 1914, following the passage of the Smith-Lever Act, and serves as the primary outreach organization for the land-grant mission of Auburn University and Alabama A&M University. ACES offices are located in all 67 Alabama counties, including Lee County, the home of the Auburn University; and Montgomery County, the home of Auburn University at Montgomery. ACES is administered by a director who reports to the University President.
4. Auburn University at Montgomery. Auburn University at Montgomery was authorized by the Board of Trustees of Auburn University, pursuant to action of the Alabama Legislature in 1967. Auburn University at Montgomery, located in Montgomery, Alabama, has been a separately accredited institution by SACSCOC since 1973 and is administered by a Chancellor who reports to the University President.

The Auburn University Board of Trustees is the principal governing body and has the final authority for these four divisions. The administration of these divisions is unified in the Office of the University President, or Chief Executive Officer. The University President appoints and delegates responsibility and authority for Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) to its Chancellor. Under the supervision of the University President, the AUM Chancellor is responsible for the overall administration and day-to-day management of AUM. The University President directly oversees the three remaining divisions. An organizational chart is provided as evidence. Note: AAES is represented in the organizational chart by the College of Agriculture as the Dean of that college serves a dual role as the Director of AAES. Thus, AAES is operationally housed in the College of Agriculture.

Because the University President ultimately serves as the CEO of all four divisions of Auburn University, we provide the following information as required by Core Requirement 5.1: Documenting an Alternative Approach.

Role of the Chief Executive Officer

A description of the role of the Chief Executive Officer, or University President, is provided in Section 6.02 of the Bylaws of the Board as follows:

• The administration of all four divisions of Auburn University under the authority of the Board, is unified in the Office of the President.
• As CEO of all four divisions, the university president is responsible and accountable for all the affairs of the Auburn University structure, except those which by law or Bylaws of the Board, are made the responsibility of other persons.
• All officers, staff, faculty, and other employees of the Auburn University structure, except those provided for in Sections 3.04 and 3.05 of the Board Bylaws—namely, the secretary to the Board; and, as required, accountants, attorneys, and other advisors or assistants—shall be under the final authority of the University President, who shall exercise overall direction in implementing the policies of the Board.

The University President has no outside employment or significant service responsibilities beyond the Auburn University structure. In addition to Auburn Board of Trustees Bylaws, as well as the Board Policies and Procedures Manual, more detailed information regarding the University President’s role as CEO of all four divisions of Auburn University is provided in numerous university-published documents, including the position description of the University President released during the most recent presidential search completed in the Spring 2022. The position description details that the University President reports to the Board and is responsible for all aspects of the university structure.

The position description further states that AUM is administered by a chancellor who reports to the University President. This information is consistent with the Selection of University Officers and Other Principal Officials of the University Policy, which assigns to the AUM Chancellor “responsibility for overall administration of the AUM campus.”

Without subtracting from the University President’s authority for the administration of all four divisions of Auburn University, the Board’s care in creating the position of AUM Chancellor and the explicit assignment of administrative responsibility for AUM to that position, indicates that the University President’s primary responsibility is to Auburn University (the institution) in Auburn, Alabama.

Evaluation of the University President

The University President is evaluated on an annual basis by the Auburn University Board of Trustees. In accordance with Section 6.03.a of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees,

The University President shall be evaluated at the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, according to written objectives, specific and general, developed by the University President, discussed with the President Pro Tempore, and presented to and approved by the Board of Trustees before the outset of each academic year. The University President shall report on these objectives at each regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Further, “The President Pro Tempore and the chair of the Executive Committee shall review the University President’s compensation package based on an annual evaluation of the University President.” For more detailed discussion of presidential evaluation, see Standard 4.2.c. CEO Evaluation/Selection.

Presidential Search Process

The most recent and thorough evaluation of the University President was conducted during the Spring 2022 search for the position. The previous University President was acting in an interim capacity until May 2022 when the current University President took office. The search process began Summer 2021 after selecting a search firm and appointing a 22-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee. This committee conducted eight listening sessions to help draft the position description. More than 60 qualified individuals expressed interest in the Auburn presidency. Through rigorous screening, the Search Advisory Committee selected 15 individuals to interview, and ultimately put forward the names of the five most favored individuals to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees Executive Committee interviewed those five, and three were found especially qualified. Of those three, two individuals would not be willing to do a campus interview. The remaining individual was interviewed on campus on January 20, 2022, and named the Auburn University President later that spring. 

Leadership Responsibilities

As documented above, the administration of the Auburn University structure, under the authority of the Board, is unified in the Office of the President. However, the function of the Auburn University structure makes it clear that the President’s primary attention is to Auburn University (the institution). Each of the other three units has its own CEO or director, appointed by and responsible to the University President, upon prior approval by the Board, as follows:

• The Director of AAES is responsible for the administration of the Experiment Station and serves as its CEO.
• The Directors of ACES are responsible for the administration and supervision of the Extension System and serve as its CEO.
• The AUM Chancellor is responsible for the overall administration of AUM and serves as its CEO. 

With Auburn University being the only division of the Auburn University structure without an explicit mention of a CEO who is not the University President, it is clear that the role of CEO of Auburn University is that of the University President by virtue of his or her position as CEO of the entire Auburn University structure. Accordingly, the University President has the primary responsibility of directing the institution on a continuing, day-to-day basis.

The most recent performance evaluation of the University President completed in 2020 supplies further evidence that Auburn University is the primary responsibility of the University President,. As stated in the 2020 Presidential Assessment, many of the University President’s highlighted accomplishments concern aspects directly related to the Auburn University, including relationships with members of the Board, construction and development at Auburn University, and expert handling of challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, when asked to cite three major challenges facing the University President during the 2021 academic year, two of the three challenges stated in the 2020 Presidential Assessment exclusively concern Auburn University (the institution), including switching to the advancement model; and accounting for lost revenue caused by the pandemic, specifically that of the Athletics Department.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

While the University President serves as the CEO of Auburn University (the institution), the interests of the other three units are provided for and conflicts of interest are avoided through the following means discussed below.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest – Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station

Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) was founded 139 years ago by the Alabama Legislature to conduct scientific research that would advance Alabama’s agricultural and forestry industries. This research is driven by Auburn University’s mission for the purpose of improving quality of life and well-being of citizens and communities of Alabama and beyond. AAES research teams are comprised of five academic colleges at Auburn University: the College of Agriculture, College of Human Sciences, the College of Sciences and Mathematics, the College of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. AAES is administered by a director who is appointed by and reports to the University President. The AAES Director is also the Dean of Auburn University’s College of Agriculture. AAES has no interaction or engagement with AUM or ACES. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, a standing committee of the Auburn University Board of Trustees, is charged to consider and provide recommendations to the Board for action policies related to programs of agriculture, operation of the agriculture experiment stations, cooperative extension system and agricultural lands.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest – Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) is a division within the Auburn University structure. This division is in direct alignment with Auburn University’s land-grant mission for outreach and community engagement. ACES partners with Alabama A&M University and has offices in all 67 counties in the state of Alabama. The Director of ACES is appointed by the University President and is delegated full responsibility and authority of the division, per Section 6.04.b of Auburn University Board of Trustees Bylaws. ACES does not interact with AUM or AAES in any way. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, a standing committee of the Auburn University Board of Trustees, is charged to consider and provide recommendations to the Board for action policies related to programs of agriculture, operation of the agriculture experiment station, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and agricultural lands.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest – AUM

Auburn University at Montgomery, a separately accredited institution, was established by Alabama Legislature in 1967 and is governed by the Auburn University Board of Trustees. To avoid conflict of interest, the Auburn University at Montgomery Committee, a standing committee of the Auburn University Board of Trustees, is charged to consider and provide recommendations to the Board or the appropriate Board committee(s) for policies related to AUM. Pursuant to Section 2.09 of the Board Bylaws, the president of the Student Government Association of AUM serves ex officio as an advisory only, non-voting member of the Board.

As documented above, the Board Bylaws stipulate that the AUM Chancellor is the CEO of AUM, who, as defined by Board Policy B-1, has the responsibility for “the overall administration and day-to-day management” of AUM. Although the AUM Chancellor is appointed by and is responsible to the University President, appointment to this position requires confirmation by the Board. Board Policy B-1 assigns to the AUM Chancellor “responsibility for overall administration and day-to-day management of the Auburn Montgomery campus.” References to the AUM Chancellor and his or her role as the administrator of AUM can be found in numerous university publications, including a curriculum vitae of the current Chancellor. The AUM Chancellor is a member of the Cabinet of the University President. Consequently, the AUM Chancellor can articulate and assert the interests of AUM in bi-weekly meetings of the President’s Cabinet. Through its internal governance mechanisms, AUM has developed its own distinctive mission statement, as well as its own Strategic Plan 2019-2024. The AUM mission was revised and approved by the Board in April 2021. Auburn University’s overall strategic plan clearly identifies strategic priorities and action steps that reflect the relatively independent mission, setting, and interests of AUM. For example, separate goals are identified for the improvement of AUM’s intercollegiate athletics program.

Relationship between Leadership and Board of Trustees

Pursuant to Board Policy B-1, the Board, and the Board alone, is responsible for the appointment, evaluation, and, if necessary, termination of the University President.

Under the authority of the Board and with the Board’s approval, the University President is responsible for hiring the AUM Chancellor, as evidenced in Board of Trustees meeting minutes from 2016. The University President, not the Board, evaluates the performance of the AUM Chancellor.

The Board separately approves and authorizes the missions and programs of the two separately accredited institutions. Board of Trustees meeting minutes are provided as evidence of separate discussions and approvals of mission statements for Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery respectively. All matters rising to the Board level—items requiring Board action or simply “information only” items—are typically referred to the full Board through the applicable Board committee(s). Matters concerning AUM are referred to the AUM Committee, which convenes during Board meetings. For example, any matter concerning approval of an academic program at AUM is typically first considered by the AUM Committee and the Academic Affairs Committee in a joint meeting.

As previously mentioned, both the University President and AUM Chancellor have the opportunity to address the Board during Board meetings. The presiding officer of the Board calls upon the AUM chancellor to discuss matters related to AUM. Following the AUM Chancellor’s report, the presiding officer calls upon the University President to discuss matters related to Auburn University or the other divisions—ACES and AAES.

Administrative Structure

For reference, the organizational charts of Auburn University and AUM are included in the supporting documents.,

The Administration of all Four Divisions of Auburn University

Matters that relate to all four divisions of the Auburn University structure are directed by the University President in his or her capacity as its CEO. A select group of executive officers, reporting directly to the CEO, carry university-wide responsibilities. These officers include, but are not limited to, the following roles: the Executive Vice President (EVP); the Vice President for Business & Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO); the Executive Director of Governmental Affairs, who is responsible for monitoring all legislative affairs at the state level; the Executive Director of Public Affairs, who monitors federal affairs affecting Auburn University; the Associate Vice President for the Office of Audit, Compliance & Privacy; and the General Counsel. As supporting evidence, mission statement from two of these offices are provided to illustrate responsibilities to all four divisions of the Auburn University structure.,

As previously documented, the AUM Chancellor, the AAES Director, and the ACES Director also report directly to the University President.

The Administration of Auburn University

As previously documented, the University President serves as CEO of the institution, Auburn University. In this capacity, the University President appoints and is currently served by six vice presidents for Auburn University as follows: the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; the Executive Vice President (EVP); the Vice President for Business & Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO); the Senior Vice President (SVP) for Student Affairs; the Vice President for Alumni Affairs; and the Senior Vice President (SVP) for Advancement.

The University President appoints the Auburn University Provost upon prior approval by the Board; the University President appoints other Auburn University vice presidents upon prior consultation with the Board. Additional officers of Auburn University who report to the University President include, but are not limited to, the following: the Director of Athletics, the Vice President for Enrollment Management, and the Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing.

Auburn University academic schools, colleges, the Division of University Outreach, and educational support services—including library and computing/information support resources—report to the Provost.

The research mission of Auburn University is overseen by the Associate Provost and Vice President for Research. Student support services report to the SVP for Student Affairs. Offices pertaining to facilities, business and finance, auxiliary services, and human resources report to the EVP.

The Administration of Auburn University at Montgomery

As previously stated, the University President appoints the AUM Chancellor upon prior approval by the Board. The AUM Chancellor appoints or causes to be appointed all officers, staff, faculty, and other employees of AUM. Currently at AUM, the AUM Chancellor is assisted by the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor as well as the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Financial Affairs. Additional AUM officers who report to the AUM Chancellor include the Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement and the Director of Athletics. 

Administrative Cooperation between the Auburn University and AUM

Certain administrative and business affairs for AUM, AAES, and ACES are supported by Auburn University offices and personnel. Support is either ongoing or occasional. Ongoing services are supported in part by a processing fee paid by AUM to the Auburn University. These areas include facilities planning and construction, payroll and employee benefits, risk management and safety, and legal affairs.

Independently Administered Functions of Each Institution

Administrative functions that are currently performed independently at each institution include the following: academic affairs, alumni affairs, communications and marketing, diversity and multicultural affairs, financial aid, institutional research and institutional effectiveness, intercollegiate athletics, international affairs, libraries and learning support services, public safety and emergency response, research administration and research compliance, student affairs, and university development.

The Administration of AAES

The University President appoints the AAES Director upon prior approval by the Board. The AAES Director oversees all operations of AAES and reports to the University President in this capacity. The position of AAES Director is generally held by the Dean of the College of Agriculture of the Auburn University, who, in this role, reports to the Provost.

The Administration of ACES

The ACES Director is an employee of Auburn University, appointed jointly by the President of Auburn University and the President of Alabama A&M University, upon prior approval by their respective boards of trustees. The ACES Director oversees all operations of ACES and reports directly to the University President.

Auburn University Structure Funding

Each of the four divisions of Auburn University—Auburn University (the institution), AUM, AAES, and ACES—is treated as a separate and distinct budget domain that together comprise the budget of the whole Auburn University structure. Each division receives a separate annual allocation from the State of Alabama, and state funds for the divisions are not commingled. 

Many positions in the traditional land-grant areas of research, instruction, and extension are funded from two or more budget divisions. For example, a position in the College of Agriculture that is expected to teach students, conduct separately budgeted research, and perform public service/extension based on that research might be proportionally funded from the Auburn University budget and those of the AAES and ACES in keeping with the percentage of assignment for each activity. However, the funds themselves are budgeted and accounted for separately. Revenues from all sources are budgeted, collected, and allocated distinctly for each unit. No revenues are transferred across Auburn University and AUM, and no revenues from student tuition and fees at either separately accredited institution are allocated to AAES or ACES.

Autonomy of Related Institutions

The only accredited institution other than Auburn University in this structure is Auburn University at Montgomery. Neither ACES nor AAES qualifies as an institution but rather as a land-grant division.

As documented above, under the authority of the Board and within the administration of Auburn University’s four divisions, AUM is substantially autonomous, a condition illustrated by features including, but not limited to, the following:

• AUM is the sole focus of the AUM Committee.
• AUM has received separate institutional accreditation since 1968.
• AUM has its own Board-approved mission statement and strategic plan, as well as its own institutional effectiveness procedures.
• AUM has its own inventory of educational programs, admission standards, and academic policies and procedures consistent with its differentiated mission.
• AUM’s academic programs are reviewed and inventoried separately by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, the state’s coordinating board for public institutions of higher education.
• AUM has a complete and fully developed administrative organization, an independent budget, and its own hiring and performance evaluation authority for faculty and staff.