SENATE EDUCATIONAL POLICIES COMMITTEE

Minutes

March 24, 1997

Attending: Sue Whitney, Chairperson; Jean Blachère; David M. Crossman; Leon Khaimovich; Tom Metzger; Susan Neuman; Tony Silvestre; Bob Gallagher, guest.

Absent: Elizabeth Baranger; Jack W. Birch; J. T. Cain; Jack Daniel; Kate Freed; Barbara Fredette; Erika Nanz; Glen Nelson; Sharon Nelson-Legall.

1. Founder's Day

Committee members expressed much enthusiasm about the day. Dr. Baranger was warmly commended by Dr. Whitney and the rest of the committee. Mr. Khaimovich noted that undergraduates were under-represented despite all of the work the committee did to attract them. Ideas will be sought to increase attendance next year. The very poor functioning of the video system was noted and a memo will be sent expressing our disappointment.

Dr. Whitney will convene a committee for next year. Anyone who has ideas about themes and speakers for next year should contact Dr. Whitney.

2. The Pitt Promise

Dr. Gallagher described the process leading to and the content of "The Pitt Promise". The promise inspired by similar statements at other universities was developed by Dr. Gallagher and reviewed very favorably by the student government board. The committee reviewed the statement, had an invigorating discussion of the pursuit of truth and other principles raised by it, and recommended that Dr. Gallagher have the student body bring the statement to the Senate for approval. The committee strongly endorsed the notion that students not be required to sign the statement or report others who violate it.

3. Responses Regarding the Training of Departmental Chairpersons

Dr. Whitney reported that the response has been heavy and measures about 17 inches. The training of chairs ranges from a very formal process in FAS to very informal processes in other areas. She volunteered to summarize the data received and supply a report to this committee for its deliberation.

4. Discussion of the Use of Textbooks Written by the Primary Instructor of a Course

The Committee discussed the FAS policy about the issue. A number of questions were raised. They were:

a. Who asked that this committee review the policy?

b. Do faculty inappropriately assign textbooks or did this a policy result from an isolated incident?

c. How does the University's policy on conflict of interest address this issue?

d. What kind of process, if any, could be used to enforce the policy?

The Committee decided to send a letter to the Faculty Senate suggesting that the issue needs to be addressed at FAS.

4. Discussion of the Update on Peer Evaluation of Teaching

The Committee discussed the report. A question was raised about how accurately the report reflects faculty members experience of peer evaluation. The Committee discussed apparent discrepancies between activities described in the report and the experiences of faculty members in particular programs. The Committee also discussed the goals and process for the peer evaluation process. The following questions were raised:

a. Do the peer evaluation procedures described actually function in each area?

b. Are faculty aware of and participate in the peer evaluations?

c. Does the system improve teaching?

d. How do we detect and reward good teaching?

The Committee agreed to continue the discussion with Dr. Daniel.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Please be prepared to participate in Mr. Khaimovich's strategic planning exercise. The exercise will require each Committee Member to answer the question(s): "What would you like the NY TIMES headlines to read about teaching at Pitt in 10 years?" "Where do we want teaching at Pitt to be 10 years from now?"

The Committee meets again on April 30, 1997 at 1 p.m. in the Physical Therapy Conference Room, 6 th floor, Forbes Tower.

Respectfully Submitted: Tony Silvestre