SA R29 (2014-2015): Calling for Implementation of Open Course Evaluations

Returned by the President

• Resolution:
  SA R29 (2014-2015): Calling for Implementation of Open Course Evaluations
• Day:
  February 6, 2015
• Action:
  Returned by the President
• Summary / Notes:
• File Attachments:
• Text Attachment:
  Dear Sarah,
  
  Interim Provost Harry Katz had a discussion with the academic deans during their January 27, 2015 meeting. While they appreciate your desire to make course evaluations available for all students to see, they are not inclined to change the current practice. Particular colleges design and employ student course evaluations for various purposes, and thus different instruments are used from college to college. Hence, comparisons across colleges could be misleading, and the significance of evaluations could be unclear in the absence of the relevant college context. In addition, since student course evaluations reflect only one measure of successful teaching, creating a focus on this instrument through wide availability could limit a fuller perspective on and understanding of effective teaching.
  
  Thanks again for bringing up this issue.
  
  Regards,
  
  David