By Shannon Younker

URING THEIR SEPTEMBER 30 MEETING,

¢ UPEI Senate.voted on student evaluation teaching. The motion to make evaluations andatory passed by a large margin, with only : professors casting ‘‘nay’’ votes. Student ion president Andrew MacPherson consid- s this a ‘‘victory for students in that they will w have some input into what and how will ey will be taught in the classroom.’’ acPherson added that he was ‘‘pleasantly rprised by the strong majority that the vote eived in senate.”’

UPElis primarily a teaching institution d, according to its mission statement, the iversity’s first goal is ‘*to promote excellent struction.’” Many students feel they are the st judges of their professors’ effectiveness. udents now have an official voice in such dgements.

Student evaluation of teaching is an ue that has been continually discussed at EI for at least ten years. In 1991, the senate

tudent- evalu ix professors cast opposing votes

committee on evaluation of teaching, chaired by Sean Hennessey, published a report titled **A Survey and Recommendation for use at the University of Prince Edward Island’’. Senate used this report as a basis for their decision.

In 1990, faculty members were sur- veyed on this topic. A majority of faculty already used evaluation forms of some type, but there was little consistency between depart- ments and, in some cases, within departments. A majority of professors even then preferred making the use ofevaluations mandatory. This vote is not only a victory for students but also for those professors who wish to improve their style and effectiveness.

It was agreed that the methods of data collection and administration should be uni- form throughout the university. The sugges- tion of adopting a standard evaluation form was not preferred. Instead, a database of questions could be prepared from which pro- fessors in each department can choose. This

ation of teaching now mandatory

allows for some specialization of questions. (English classes need not be asked about the effective use of laboratory time, for example, but a Chemistry prof. could choose this ques- tion.)

Some concerns about student evalua- tions raised in the committee’s report to Senate are that they may not be reliable or valid. Studies show that the average reliability, that is, the amount of agreement between members of a class of forty students is close to 90%. Student evaluations are also remarkably stable --there is an over 80% agreement in student’s responses to a professor over time. Professor Larry Hale told the X-Press his *‘personal opinion was mandatory evaluations area good thing’’. While admitting to possible concern among faculty about the design of the evalua- tion mechanism, Hale has ‘‘ enough faith in the ...UPEI community to believe that these con- cerns will be solved in a just and imaginative fashion.”’

Student evaluation of teaching at UPEI will not be used to formulate an *‘anti-calen- dar’’. Instead, the results will be used by professors to see how they measure against a standard effective teaching style. Answers to questions on organization of the course will allow for feedback on that matter as well. A secondary use for the results of these evalua- tions is for administration purposes -- promo- tion and tenure decisions, for example.

It is also important to note that the formulation ofan effective teaching evaluation system does not end with the recent senate vote. There are several other potential methods of evaluation, including: consultation of alumni, peer evaluations by other faculty, and the afore- mentioned anti-calendar format. All of these steps would contribute further to developing unbiasedevaluations. The senate vote, though, is the first and most vital step in this process to date.

UDENT EVALUATION OF TEACH- \G NOW MANDATORY -- Senate repre- ntatives had news ofa victory for students. In cir most recent meeting, the UPEI senate ted in the adoption of mandatory student aluation of teaching.

ITION TORISE 145%? --Rory O’Connor d Andrew MacPherson both expressed con- rns about the effects of Federal Human Re- urces minister Lloyd Axworthy’s proposed ial policy reforms.- If the federal govern- nt pulls its share of money out of UPEI’s ding, the university standsto lose 14 million llars. If the university was forced to raise this ney from students, tuition would rise by 5%. That figure roughly equals an addi- nal $3500 a year--over and above the $2600 dents pay now.

MMITTEE STRUCK TO ORGANIZE BBYING -- A new committee struck this Tisthe campaigns committee. The commit- ’s goal is to organize the lobbying UPEI dents do during the school year. Issues the Mmittee will address include student loans d social policy reform. MacPherson and ‘tricia Embleton will be meeting with Dr. J. Eliot, PEI Student Aid administrator ve MacPherson, and provincial minister of her Education Jeannie Lea to address these other student concerns.

MAINING PRESIDENTIAL CANDI- TES TO VISIT -- The remaining three didates for president of the University of ‘ce Edward Island will be visiting UPEI

he News From Student ouncil -- October 2, 1994

later in October. They will each have the opportunity to give a public address as well as speaking to student union. Dr. Tim Easley will be here the week of October 11-14.

TO BE ORNOT TOBE, IN CFS, THAT IS -- The status of the Canadian Federation of Students and the status of UPEI within CFS were also discussed. UPEI has served notice to CFS that we are considering leaving the na- tional organization. UPEI cannot pull out without first having the motion passed by a student referendum. This referendum was suggested during council, but it was decided to postpone the referendum until the committee can study the situation and report to students. AFRICAN STUDENT VISITING -- WUSC (World University Services Canada) is spon- soring a student from Ethiopia to come to Prince Edward Island to study at UPEI and learn Canadian culture.

CHECK YOUR BILL AT THE PHARMA- CIST’S COUNTER -- At the end of last year, council voted that UPEI’s health plan be changed from a $5.00 co-pay system to an 80% reimbursement plan. Last year, students were charged $5.00 for any prescription and Mutual Life paid the balance. This year, students will be charged 20% of the price of prescriptions. Medical Plan cards are expected to be in at the end ofthe month. Until that time, students will be required to pay the full cost of any prescrip- tion. Simply fill outa claim, and the remaining 80% will be reimbursed later in the year. --Shannon Younker

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October 11, 1994