Our legislature passed a statute, which among other things compels the University to have an evaluation which is available to the students.  So a Faculty Senate subcommittee with Student Gov't representative came up with 6 questions to be used University-wide.  The results of  6 question survey are available to the students and the faculty member being evaluated (but theoretically not the administration).  In addition each dept. or college still has its own separate student evals that go into merit / tenure packets.  
 
Although the 6 question survey was initially "on line" and voluntary, responses were low, so a process is being devised to make it compulsory or give it in class -- in addition to the dept/college controlled evaluation.  The Faculty Senate leadership or admin. believe the change is necessary to satisfy the legislative mandate.
 
Carol Miller
Missouri State University

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From: Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Talk on behalf of Hauserman, Nancy R
Sent: Mon 1/19/2009 9:18 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Legality of Posting Student Evaluations of Faculty


Is anyone aware of any legal ramifications of making public the evaluation forms that students fill out about faculty? We are continuing to have discussions about releasing the results of the surveys, at least the numerical scores if not necessarily the comments students write. Obviously, our students are asking that we release the scores faculty receive on the evaluations. Some faculty argue that this is private information, even though the evaluations are required by the College and to some degree, by the University.
Feel free to direct the comments directly to me.
Many thanks.
From the very frozen heartland,
Nancy Hauserman
Interim Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program (really, only short term folks!)
Tippie College of Business
University of IOwa