08 Mar Statement Regarding Student Opinion of Teaching Surveys
President Michael Arfken
University of Prince Edward Island Faculty Association
550 University Ave.
Charlottetown, PE
President Greg Keefe
University of Prince Edward Island
550 University Ave.
Charlottetown, PE
We write to you today concerning the Student Opinion of Teaching Surveys (SOTS). As you know, the SOTS are part of the tenure-track application process when faculty members apply for the next step in their professorship. The SOTS scores are the only student opinions being recognized regarding tenure-track applications.
Students are genuinely affected by a professor’s performance, and they know best which professors are stars and which are less so. We understand that there may be issues with the current method. While the Student Union would be agreeable to exploring other methods, we stand firm on a student voice being kept at the table regarding tenure-track applications. The student voice, at all times, should be maintained in the tenure-track application process.
The SOTS are the only input students currently have at the tenure-track application table. Because of this, at the Student Union, we feel it is integral to retain the SOTS as a mandatory part of the tenure-track application process, as eliminating the mandate for SOTS scores would, in turn, destroy the student say in which professors move up the ranks and the pay scale. As mentioned, students are directly affected by a professor’s performance, and it would be unjust for students to have zero opinions in the tenure-track application process.
Adam MacKenzie
UPEISU President & CEO
Katie Parker
Chair of Council