US: Lecturers iffy about bonuses based on student input

The chancellor of the Texas A&M University System wants to give bonuses worth up to $10,000 to some instructors - but so far, many aren't interested - reports Associated Press. "I've never had so much trouble giving away a million dollars," said Chancellor Mike McKinney, laughing.


The voluntary pilot programme at Texas A&M University along with the campuses in Prairie View and Kingsville will award bonuses from $2,500 to $10,000 to instructors based on end-of-the-semester critiques by students. The first awards go out in February, the Bryan-College Station Eagle reported in its online editions last weekend.

But faculty members have voiced concern about the programme's fairness, worried that it relies on a single evaluation method and could become a popularity contest that wouldn't serve students. Many instructors haven't signed up to participate, and the faculty senate passed a resolution opposing the programme.
Full report on the Chron.com site