If the system of review involves a formal development plan, the plan must not be imposed on the faculty member unilaterally, but must be a product of mutual negotiation. A faculty member should have the right to comment in response to evaluations and to challenge any findings and correct the record. In the event that recurring evaluations reveal continuing and persistent problems, then a mutually agreeable reassignment to other duties should be explored. The standard for dismissal or severe sanction remains that of adequate cause. Successive negative reviews do not in any way diminish the obligation of the institution to show cause for dismissal in a separate forum before an appropriately constituted body of peers.
Faculty are in the best position to ensure the academic quality of distance learning programs.
The subcommittee recognized that the various forms of distance learning increase the preparation requirements of the instructor. Furthermore, distance learning requires faculty to develop additional expertise in technical areas and requires them to modify their teaching styles and assessment methods. These factors should be considered when determining workload and compensation formulas. The AAUP has a new president, Jim Richardson from Nevada. Still, it was meaningful for me to hear outgoing president Jim Perley give his speech at the Association's Annual Meeting in June.