Do you feel that the tenure process successfully hires
the best professors for students? Ty
Bentsen Second-year Psychology "I think professors should
be granted tenure so long as they’re good. I’ve had professors who
do a terrible job at teaching, but have already received tenure; I
think it’s bad that they can stay at this university. Our
evaluations should be given a lot more consideration. If the
majority of students are unhappy with a professor, then the
professor shouldn’t be allowed to stay with their department."
Gwen McEvoy
Graduate Student
Sociology "I think students should have more of a say during the
tenure process. I understand that the faculty has to consider that
professors who receive tenure will be their colleagues even after
the students leave, but students should still be allowed to
participate in the process. Sometimes more emphasis is placed on
the candidates’ research than on their teaching, but I think both
are important." Fabian Renteria Second-year
Chicana/o studies and history "The tenure process needs to be
changed so that students can have an input. Students are familiar
with who the best professors are. I know that the university is
research-based, but teaching needs to be emphasized as well. You
can be an intellectual, scholar or well-known researcher, but this
doesn’t mean you know how to teach well. This university is
supposed to be about the students, so there’s no reason why they
shouldn’t have a say in who teaches them." Daniel
King Fourth-year Political science "I think the tenure
process focuses too much on research and not enough on teaching.
Most professors come in for 50 minutes, talk about their own book
and leave. Rarely have I had professors who care whether students
take information with them and apply it to the world. There should
be a student board involved with the tenure process to review
professors as well. Other professors are not in class with their
colleagues. The students who spend an entire quarter or more know
what professors deserve to stay here." Jeanie
Williams Second-year World arts and cultures "I trust the
judgment of the faculty involved in the tenure process. So far I
have had no reason to complain about an instructor. Professors have
given me knowledge that I find important, and I see no problem with
what they’ve been doing. Students haven’t had a say in terms of who
receives tenure in the past and I really don’t think that they
should." Ryan Pierce Second-year Business
economics "I think professors should be hired purely on the
evaluations they receive from students. Also, students are the ones
who see how instructors work with the class. I’ve had professors
who were not qualified at all to teach. I’m sure that they’re good
at their respective field, but they’re very bland when they teach
and do nothing but spit out information." Speaks Out compiled by
Cuauhtemoc Ortega, Daily Bruin Senior Staff. Photos by Mohammad
Alavi, Daily Bruin Contributor.Web adaptation by Hernane Tabay,
Daily Bruin Senior Staff