COLLOQUY

THE QUESTION

RESPONSES

BACKGROUND

At the UC system, teaching evaluations are done for courses that students take. But there are no sort of evaluative process for faculty who serve as advisors or mentors. Moreover, there is no sort of evaluation process for student-research assistants who are working on faculty research projects where I see the most abuse of power take place. If faculty don't want their students to proceed forward with their studies and rather put up obstacles and barriers for them, then why do they admit them into the program. Is it because they need a source of cheap labor as teaching assistants and/or research assistants? And often we are told that this type of work is part of the "learning process." If so, can we evaluate the faculty in charge and have these evaluations be part of the tenure review process. If there is no such evaluative process, we as students, have no recourse for abuse. We are not allowed to do a class action law suit, because we are told that we chose this endeavor. Many of us don't have many options, especially after investing 7-10 years of our life on a Ph.D. Although, some do choose to leave after a 7-10 year investment in not only time, money, but labor. I think someone needs to take a look at this and weed out some of these problem faculty member! It's about time!

-- Anonymous, Ph.D. Candidate, University of California (posted 10/26, 12:07 p.m., E.S.T.)

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