When University of Northern Iowa students evaluate their professors this fall semester, their comments and ratings won’t affect the tenure or salary of their professors, according to Joe Gorton, president of United Faculty, an American Association of university professors collective barganing chapter.

According to a collective bargaining agreement between United Faculty and the Iowa Board of Regents, a new student assessment system needed to be in place by the beginning of this fall semester, or else professor evaluations would be suspended.

It was required that both the president of United Faculty and the executive vice president and provost agree upon a new evaluation system. However, Gorton said there wasn’t an opportunity to create a new student assessment system.

“I’m not trying to point fingers, but what did not happen was that the provost’s office did not take the actions necessary for allowing us to work together to develop a new instrument,” Gorton said. “So for instance, our first meeting of the committee to do this isn’t until Sep. 4, after the deadline already passed. I can’t speak to why that was.”

According to an email response from the Department of Academic Affairs, “A meeting is scheduled to discuss the exact process and to work on a desired timeline of implementation of the (student assessment) instrument. The committee consists of the provost, associate provost for faculty affairs, union leadership and student representatives.”

When asked why the new evaluation system was not ready by the beginning of the fall semester, the department said, “There is a long-standing provision regarding student assessments in the master contract which clearly defines the process of changing the student assessment instrument. This process includes a committee that is formed, which includes both students and faculty, and the best time for all to work together is during the academic year.”

The department does not know when the new student assessment will be ready and implemented.

Gorton said both UNI faculty and administration agree that an overhaul of the evaluation is necessary, and they’re both committed to creating a “first-rate evaluation system.” During his 16-year career at the university, Gorton said the assessment has remained the same.

“It’s not only an old form, but it’s a completely inadequate form. It doesn’t take advantage of research done about student evaluations,” Gorton said. “But again, I want to emphasize that’s why both the administration and United Faculty agreed we wanted a new instrument. And I’m confident that we’re all going to be able to work together creating a new instrument.”