The only exceptions are situations in which not enough students send in letters or the department chair does not put the file together well. Student Letters of Recommendation Steven Janke said that one problem with the personnel review process is the acquisition of student letters. First, there is often a low level of response by students to the request for letters. Second, the letters that are sent are from people that either really liked or really disliked a professor there are rarely letters from students that represent the middle ground. He also commented that when a candidate receives more than a couple of negative recommendations from students, that candidate stands out.
Some people prefer the use of course evaluations because of the range of views that are represented.
Barry Sarchett, who served on the Personnel Subcommittee in the past, said that he was always impressed when there was a high number of responses to requests for letters, particularly from alumni who have some distance from their education. Interviewing Students Sarchett said that the English Department used to interview students as part of their review process but was asked to stop, partially because people were concerned that reports of the interviews could be skewed. Sarchett said that it is very important to remember to evaluate evaluations there is no final form or technique that results in a true, accurate picture. Keith Kester commented that as part of a personnel review, he interviewed students, wrote reports about the interviews for the department, and got positive feedback. Reviewers felt that it was a very effective way of gathering views on a professor's teaching.