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  • Policy Process

  • Handbook of Operating Procedures
    Chapter 2 - Faculty and Academics
    Previous Publication Date: February 9, 2021
    Publication Date: March 15, 2021
    Policy Reviewed Date: February 3, 2021
    Policy Owner: VP for Academic Affairs

    2.12 Student Evaluations of Teaching


    I. POLICY STATEMENT


    The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) uses evaluations of a faculty member’s teaching as a means for improving teaching effectiveness and as one element of the annual faculty performance evaluation process. An important component of teaching evaluation is the official UTSA student evaluation of teaching. Students in all organized classes with an enrollment of five or more will complete the official UTSA student evaluation surveys each semester.    


    II. RATIONALE


    The advancement of knowledge through teaching and learning is a primary focus of UTSA’s mission. Student evaluations represent an opportunity for students to provide important feedback to the instructor in accomplishing our mission. The department, college and university also benefit from this feedback as a part of determining and improving the effectiveness of the institution’s instructional activities as well as that of individual instructors.


    III. SCOPE


    This policy applies to all UTSA faculty and students, and to faculty and administrators in the departments, colleges and university responsible for the administration of the surveys and for using the results.


    IV. WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR THIS POLICY


    http://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter2/2.12.html


    V. RELATED STATUTES, POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS OR STANDARDS


    UTSA or UT System Policies or the Board of Regents' Rules & Regulations

    Other Policies & Standards


    VI. CONTACTS


    If you have any questions about HOP policy 2.12, Student Evaluations of Teaching, contact the following offices:

    Academic Affairs
    210-458-4110


    VII. DEFINITIONS


    For purposes of this policy the following definitions apply:

    Student: A person enrolled in a class on the day the survey is administered

    Organized Class: A class assigned in the UTSA Class Schedule to meet on specific day(s), time and location.

    Faculty Member: A person who is teaching an organized class or classes at UTSA

    Survey: Evaluation form (paper or online) to be completed by students in order to provide feedback about a class

    Faculty Advisory Committees: Committees that assist in evaluating faculty members’ performance for merit, promotion and tenure decisions


    VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES


    Implementation/Enforcement Step Responsible Office/Officer
    Administration of the survey Institutional Research and Analysis
    Complete the survey Students enrolled in organized classes of five or more
    Distribute results of survey Institutional Research and Analysis
    Use results as part of assessment of teaching effectiveness The faculty members, Department Chair, Dean, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the President, and appropriate faculty advisory committees
    Post results to University website in accordance with the Texas Education Code and HB 2504. Institutional Research and Analysis


    IX. PROCEDURES


    1. Institutional Research and Analysis will organize and oversee administration of the student evaluations of teaching..
      1. The survey will be administered each semester.
      2. The Faculty Senate has oversight over any modifications to the survey format or process.
      3. Only organized classes with five or more students will be surveyed.
      4. Evaluations will be conducted in the second half of the semester.
      5. Institutional Research and Analysis  will administer the survey, in accordance with University policy
      6. Institutional Research and Analysis  will provide summaries of the survey results to each faculty member whose classes are surveyed.
      7. Institutional Research and Analysis  will provide summaries of the survey results to each Department Chair for the faculty in the department, for use by the Chair, the Dean, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the President, and appropriate faculty advisory committees.
      8. Survey results will be retained by the Institutional Research and Analysis.
    2. Students enrolled in all organized classes with enrollments of five or more will be asked to complete the survey, but will not be required to complete the survey if they do not wish to do so.
    3. Summary results will be posted on the UTSA website in accordance with Texas requirements.

    X. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION


    None


    XI. FORMS AND TOOLS/ONLINE PROCESSES


    None


    XII. APPENDIX


    None


    XIII. DATES APPROVED/AMENDED


    03-15-2021
    02-09-2021
    06-01-2011