Because questions periodically arise about the process of observations and evaluations, the following provides some information on the contractual provisions regarding this common aspect of our work lives. Evaluations are covered in Article II Faculty Status, Section E Evaluation of Faculty.

Definition

An evaluation is defined in our contract as “a written assessment of a faculty member’s performance to be used in determining personnel actions and/or assessing professional competence.” The process of evaluation includes observations of teaching and/or performance of professional duties.

You should know that the contract refers to observations and evaluations being conducted by administrators; this is typically your academic chairperson or area supervisor, but other administrators may conduct these if necessary and appropriate. As explained below regarding process, all observations must be done with your full knowledge and awareness.

Purpose

Observations may be initiated either by you or by the administration, and the contract says that these are limited to “a reasonable number per year.”

One common reason for having an observation is employment status and promotion. That is, if you’re on term appointment or under consideration for continuing appointment, those decisions must be preceded by at least one scheduled formal observation for which a peer observer is strongly recommended. The same is true as you are going through each stage of the promotion cycle. However, for promotion observations, a peer observer is required.

Another common event that precipitates an observation would be a concern regarding classroom performance. The FA has long argued that the purpose of observation should be professional development; these should not be approached as punitive. Depending upon the nature, number and frequency of the concerns, an administrator may need to conduct an observation. In classroom observations, this enables the observers to meet with students for the last 15 minutes of the class so that they can determine if the observed class was a typical meeting and receive student feedback about their experience in the course.

Process: Notification, peer observers, written evaluation

For each scheduled formal observation, full-time members must receive written notice at least 48 hours in advance or, if you’re adjunct faculty, one scheduled class meeting period in advance. The written notice must include the name of the administrator(s) conducting the observation, the date and time of the observation, and the course or duties to be observed.

You also should be notified of your right to invite a peer to the observation. Peer observers are typically full-time members of your academic department or area who have the same—or as closely related as possible—experience with your job duties. In the rare instance when you have reason to believe your employment may be in jeopardy given your circumstances, we may be able to arrange an FA officer or Executive Council representative in that area to serve as the peer observer (this applies only to dues-paying members). Peer observers use the same evaluation form as the administrator.

The contract states that, after the observation, you must have an opportunity to discuss the observation with the administrator before the evaluation report is written. The administrator must schedule this post-observation conference with you within five working days (for full-time faculty) or at least two class meetings (for adjunct faculty).

The evaluation will be written by the observer, and you must receive a copy within 20 calendar days following the observation or 14 calendar days following the post-observation conference, but in no event beyond the end of the semester.

Once you receive a copy of the evaluation, you must sign and date it and must also be permitted to file a written reply to any portions with which you take exception. It’s important to note that your signature does not constitute agreement with the contents; it is simply documentation that you have received and read the evaluation.

Formal evaluations go into your personnel file.

Online observations

Online observations were negotiated by the FA and administration to be as aligned as possible to the process for in-person class observations. The contract states that “Observation of online classes shall be performed by a DE trained academic chair or other appropriate administrator with appropriate knowledge of the subject area” and that the college will conduct regular training for administrators and faculty regarding online observation criteria and procedures.

For online courses, you also must receive 48 hours advance notice of when the administrator and, if applicable, peer observer will be in your Brightspace class website. Observers are granted temporary login access to your class website for a period of 24 hours and have a student view of the class website, just as they would have a student view for an in-person class section.

Other elements of the observation and evaluation process as described above still apply. Observation forms are available on the FA website. As always, if you have questions about your contractual rights regarding observations or evaluations, contact the FA for assistance.