The Vista August 26, 1982

Page 1

August 26, 1982

Vol. 81, No. 1

Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma

Anonymous evaluations feared by some university instructors

Vista photo by Daniel Smith

Central State University came alive Friday afternoon with students returning to the "grind." Several freshmen and new transfer students moved in and were acquainted with "the ropes" of the campus during the university's annual orientation activities held throughout the weekend. Activities included tours of the campus, a "get-acquainted" dance, enrollment procedures and dorm meetings.

As students leave the summer behind and return to the world of academia, their focus turns from summer jobs and vacations to their grade possibilities for the upcoming semesters. But these aren't the only people on campus who may lose a night's sleep sometime during the school year over grades. CSU students are asked to evaluate their instructors performance as far as clarity, understandibility and other factors which aid them in the learning process. This is done at the end of each semester and critiques of their teaching habits are filled out. The identity of the student remains anonymous. However, this process has prompted several questions in campus' across the country. An article in the July 7 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education entitled "We Should Abolish Anonymous Evaluations of Teachers by Their Students," Paul McBrearty points out what he believes are some of the inconsistencies with this system. Foremost in his objection is the belief that anonymity fosters irresponsibility in the student.

"The right to evaluate earns with it a corresponding obligation," McBrearty writes, "the obligation of the evaluators to take responsibility for what they say or write. "When we assure students that we will not under any circumstances reveal their identities, we in effect tell the confused, the vindictive, the morally obtuse and the less courageous among them that they may say what they please without having to stand behind their words." McBrearty also argues that because the teacher is unable to face his accuser, due process is being denied and the results of such evaluations are therefore unverifiable. This opinion is shared by instructors at CSU, said Anne Lynch, assistant professor of Humanities and history and president of the Faculty Senate. Lynch emphasized that the secrecy of the process is the key ingredient. "I am certain there are those who think they are not valid unless they are signed," Lynch said. "But the students must be protected from any retribution.

Cost of living causes shortages

Housing hangs 'no vacancy' sign for fall By Mike Sherman

CSU, which in the past has been refered to as a "suitcase college," is faced with a housing shortage for the second time in three years and students may soon see "no vacancy" signs erected near the four campus residence halls. Despite the capability to accomodate approximately 13,000 students with on-campus housing, the waiting list for those wishing to live in these facilities is 70 men and 15 women long. According to Housing Director Robert Fields, once the cancellations are completed and the noshows are counted, his office will have a better idea of how many of these students can be housed. Fields said he expected these openings to diminish the list, but some students may still be without housing. The Housing Office is using other methods to aid these people.

"When we realized the halls would be filled, we contacted the Edmond Sun in order to locate apartments or other arrangements for these students," said Fields. Available apartment or efficiencies have been posted outside the Housing Office in the University Center, but Fields emphasized that the university will have nothing to do with the lease. Although Fields refused to attribute the dilemma to a shift from a commuter to a residentoriented university, he did cite the shortage and rising costs of apartments in the Edmond area, along with the high cost of commuting as factors in the overwhelming influx of housing applications. "The problem was still much worse two years ago," Fields said. The residence halls on campus aren't alone in the shortage problem. For those students applying for married students housing, the

waiting list is six months to a year long, despite the 158 apartments available to couples. When asked about the possibility of erecting additional housing, Fields said there are no immediate plans to expand.

"We have the land available to construct another residence hall, whether it be in the open field around the fire department or near the watertower (on Bauman Street)," explained Fields.

"Some students may only have the instructor for one semester but there are others who will have him or her for other classes in their major and secrecy is very important to them. They would be useless if we required that they be signed." Although she admits that there will always be those who will look on the evaluations as a chance to get revenge with a instructor, Lynch said the net input of them has been good. "There are always going to be a certain few who will carry some vindictive feelings," explained Lynch, "but those are usually the students who have already been running to the dean of the school and the department chairman growling. "These evaluations are really, in fact, perception analysis and are very useful. They are our only source of obtaining information of this kind and we need the students to provide it. They would never be used to determine if someone should be dismissed or promoted." Prior to the enactment of the present set-up, each school operated their own review of the teachers' performance. When the Faculty Senate saw the need to maintain uniformity they chose the anonymous questionairs. Lynch said the system was originally passed for a trial period. She expects that a debate concerning it's effectiveness could surface this fal. Another vote could be called at that time. "We would like to hear the view point of some students when and if it comes up," stated Lynch.

In this issue. . . Water safety rules prevent drowning...page 3 Reherman announces 'CPR Saturday'...page 5 UCAB goes to Lake Tenkiller...page 6 Rap-up of CSU summer sports...page 7 Pre-season football line-up...page 8

Vista photo by Daniel Smith

The "Freshman Orientation" cookout proved to be a big hit to several hungry freshmen and new students last Friday evening at the University Center. The orientation program, set up through the university, provides activities, food and fun for new students to help them get acquainted with the college as well as new friends.


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The Vista August 26, 1982 by The Vista - Issuu