1. IN SUPPORT OF CONSISTENT FACULTY PEER REVIEW Senate Resolution S.R. 1109

2. Background Currently, the process by which professors are reviewed is inconsistent among colleges. Eleven of our comparison schools require peer review at all departmental levels The students and faculty would benefit from a consistent system of evaluation at all professor levels (associate professors, tenure-track, tenured professors, and lecturers)

3. Purpose To establish a consistent peer review system to be implemented in every department of every college at The University of Texas at Austin. To improve the student learning experience by establishing a consistent peer review system that would take into consideration factors such as improved teaching and technological methods.

4. Summary We recommend that a more frequent and consistent peer review system be implemented for tenure track, tenured professors, associate professors, and lecturers. We recommend that the exact methods of implementation be left up to each individual department and college.

5. Whereas Summaries Whereas 1-3  The University of Texas at Austin strives to have best faculty possible, and the Boyer report states the goal of each research institution is to provide a campus that nurtures the exploration of each member though a disciplined culture of excellence that requires accountability. Whereas 4-6  A method to foster faculty excellence could be through frequent, reported, and constructive criticism, professors would be aided through this criticism of their peers, and be provided with feedback that helps to create the best quality learning environment for students Whereas 7-10  Course Instructor Surveys help to voice the opinions and educations experiences of students, peer reviews would provide additional feedback to these surveys, and a more complete record of professor’s performance. Currently 11 of the 12 University comparison schools require peer review and a consistent method of peer review is not used in every college.

6. Resolved/Summary Resolved 1-4  The Senate of College Councils recommends that a frequent peer review system be implemented in every department of every college, that the method of which this is implemented be left up to every department and college, and that this system be used for tenured professors, tenure-track professors, associate professors, and lecturers.