University of Nevada, Reno student governments have halted their initiatives to publish faculty evaluations despite public outcry in favor of the survey’s release.
Many university students and parents petitioned for student governments to review Nevada System of Higher Education code and draft legislation that would publicize the evaluations, prompting the graduate and undergraduate governments to explore the idea. But the Graduate Student Association decided against it.
The faculty evaluations students complete each semester are considered part of an instructor’s personnel file, which contractual agreements between professors and NSHE prohibit from being published.
GSA President Matt Smith said there were better ways to improve teaching on campus, such as peer reviews and programs that honor professors for exemplary performance.
Smith also said the initiative would be unwise to pursue during the state’s financial crisis, which is adding pressure to many university professors.
“It just wasn’t the right time,” Smith said. “We all need to be standing together rather than putting (instructors) on the defense.”
One parent disgruntled with the policy, Sheryle Lengdorfer, took her grievances online. She created a website for students to evaluate their professors and have their comments displayed publicly.
Students can also evaluate departments of the university such as the UNR Police Deparmtent.
Lengdorfer, who orchestrated a petition that amassed hundreds of student signatures in support of the survey’s release, said she was unhappy with the group’s decision.
“A lot of their constituents would have liked to receive their backing,” said Lengdorfer, who has two children enrolled at the university.
Although she considered seeking legal counsel earlier this year, Lengdorfer said she is waiting to see what the Associated Students of the University of Nevada does before looking further into the matter.
But ASUN Speaker Brandon Bishop said the group is not looking for new means to evaluate professors, although the Committee on Academics plans to give a report on the idea to the next session.
However, Bishop agreed that pursuing the initiative would send a poor message to instructors.
“While I believe this issue is important right now, students and professors should be together in this tough time,” Bishop said. “However, this issue should continue to be addressed to find a mutually beneficial system.”
Bishop said ASUN has contacted a few students about the issue, but the group’s primary focus has been on maintaining the university’s budget.
The GSA Council will revisit suggestions to pursue alternatives to publishing faculty evaluations once the next council convenes in April, Smith said.