The University Senate of Michigan Technological University
PROPOSAL 11-12
(Voting units: Full Senate)
“EVALUATION PROCEDURE FOR THE
UNIVERSITY SENATE”
1.0 Introduction
Senate derives its moral
authority from its representation of its constituency. It will become a
stronger and a more effective body by advocating issues its constituency deems
important and by improving itself with regular feedback from its constituency.
In addition, the Senate
evaluates university upper administration each year and has established
policies and procedures for periodic evaluation of Chairs and Deans, and
evaluation of faculty by students in each course. Evaluation and survey have
become easy since going electronic and many service units are conducting
surveys to improve themselves. For the sake of consistency and to get regular
feedback the Senate needs to evaluate itself and make the results public.
This procedure allows the
Senate constituency to provide input for a more effective functioning of the
Senate.
2.0 Evaluation Time Line
The Senate will be evaluated
each year electronically using all reasonable efforts to maintain the anonymity
of the survey responder. The evaluation will be coordinated and supervised by
the Senate Administrative Policy Committee. The survey instrument will be
approved by the Senate by the end of Spring semester.
The survey will be conducted over a period of two weeks starting on Monday of
the third week of the fall semester.
3.0 Format
The Senate president will
coordinate writing of a brief report, less than two pages long, on the
accomplishment of the Senate in the year prior to the year of the Senate
evaluation. The report will be distributed to the Senate constituents prior to
the survey and posted on the Senate web page. The report will be also linked to
the electronic evaluation instrument.
The questionnaire section will contain questions
asking for scaled responses and comments.
Scaled responses and comments
will be sought for:
•
effectiveness of Senate
in representing constituents interests.
•
prioritizing the
responsibility of the Senate.
•
keeping constituents
informed.
Comments will also be sought
for strengthening and improving the Senate and the questionnaire. A sample
questionnaire is included in the appendix.
4.0 Survey Result
Responses from faculty and from
professional staff will be compiled separately.
The committee will review the
compiled comments and statistical summary of scaled questions and make an oral report
to the Senate by the end of fall semester. The committee will also prepare a
written report. The written report will be posted on the Senate website and its
link sent to all Senate constituents, the Provost, and the members of the Board
of Control.
Appendix: Sample
questionnaire
The Senate establishes and
participates in formulation of policies and procedures that affect faculty and
professional staff. The implementation of these policies and procedures are
responsibilities of other bodies like administration, academic units, and
university committees. The Senate also has the responsibility to facilitate
discussion and obtain information on any issue that is important to its
constituent. The Senate responsibility and jurisdiction are defined in detail
in the Senate Constitution posted on the web address
http://www.admin.mtu.edu/usenate/
Brief listing of Senate responsibility and
jurisdiction
1. Establishes academic policies and procedures
governing teaching and research that includes but not limited to: establishment, dissolution, and changes in degree
programs; requirements for certificates and academic degrees; teaching
evaluation; academic calendar; awarding of honorary degrees; regulations
governing attendance, examinations, grading, scholastic standing, probation,
and honors.
2. Establishes shared governance policies and
procedures that includes but not limited to: Academic freedom, rights and responsibilities; appointment, promotion,
tenure, dismissal, and leaves of the academic faculty; academic ranks;
selection and evaluation of university administrators; guidelines for academic
unit charters; academic organization, establishment or elimination of schools,
colleges, or departments; and the reorganization of the academic structure.
3. Advise, reviews, and participates on use of
university resources that includes but not limited to: Fringe benefits; institutional priorities;
allocation and utilization of the university’s human, fiscal, and physical
resources that affect scholarly, instructional, and research activities;
admission standards and procedures; student financial aid.
Survey Instrument
Questions
for scaled response on a scale of 5 with space for commenting.
1. Senate provided appropriate input to your group in
the development of proposals submitted to it.
2. Senate has acted in a timely manner on proposals
submitted by your group.
3. Senate has been effective in development of shared
governance policies and procedures.
4. Senate has been effective in reflecting your
concerns on use of university resources.
5. The Senate accurately represents your concerns to
the University's administration.
6. Senate has been effective in communicating issues
that impact you.
7. Your senator keeps you informed about issues being
considered by the Senate.
8. Taking everything into account the Senate is an
effective body in representing you.
Questions
asking for comments
9. What kind of proposals should the Senate spend more
time on?
10. What can the Senate do to get the information to
you more effectively?
11. How can the Senate better meet your needs?
12. What can the Senate do so that you would be
interested in serving on the Senate?
13. How can this questionnaire be improved?
Introduced to Senate: 01 February 2012