Staff members have been raising concerns about the use and processes of myCourseExperience surveys for some time. As well as the use of the data in performance reviews and the broadly problematic nature of these instruments as a means of assessing quality, staff have reported concerns about unilateral decisions without proper consultation that prevent staff from viewing the responses during the survey period as well as mandated survey opening and closing times. Staff members in Business and Law, where final grades are released to students earlier than elsewhere in the University and while surveys remain open, have noted being particularly impacted by this lack of consultation and recognition of local needs.
The Union has contacted management to support these member concerns and to ensure that staff are provided with the real autonomy required for them to apply academic judgement and appropriately collect evaluation data in relation to their specific courses and area timetables.
Appropriate management use of student evaluation data is one of the Union's Enterprise Bargaining issues where we are pursuing a prohibition on the use of these satisfaction surveys in probation, promotion or performance processes unless the staff member requests their use. We continue to pursue fair and sensible use of this data, including prevention of the health and safety risks associated with receipt of aggressive or offensive comments.
In the meantime, we encourage staff to get in touch with any concerns about student evaluation surveys and data here.