THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE

FACULTY SENATE

Senate Document Number 0308F

Date of Senate Approval 10/16/08

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

FWDC 2:  Amendment to Student Rating of Instruction policy

(Revision to SD1482F and Faculty Handbook 3.3.3.1.1)

Effective Date:  Immediately

Rationale:

On April 28, 2008, FWDC recommended, as a first step, enacting the first two recommendations from the Task Force on Student Rating of Instruction (SRI, April 2006).  This will standardize the administration of student evaluations. 

1. Paragraph one of Handbook 3.3.3.1.1 reads as follows:

Student evaluations are to be administered in a minimum of 50% of all courses taught by full-time teaching faculty each semester of the regular academic year. Part-time faculty must have evaluations administered in all courses they teach. The evaluation instruments are to be administered in class by a student who is to return the instruments to the appropriate department secretary or program secretary for disposition and analysis. The faculty member being evaluated is to be absent while the evaluation is being conducted.

ADD:

Evaluation instruments should be administered in the last week of class, to insure that students have the maximum amount of information and experience upon which to base their judgments.

The evaluation instrument should be given at the beginning of the class period to help alleviate respondent fatigue and to encourage thoughtful responses.