Dean of the Faculty David Dobkin met with the USG last night to discuss tenure policies and faculty-student relationships after several USG members highlighted student involvement in the process as a key concern.
Faculty members are evaluated on their research and teaching records, as well as their nonacademic duties at the University. Each department is responsible for setting up its own method of reviewing tenure candidates.
"When evaluating faculty members for tenure, we are very interested in how the person is going to develop over time," Dobkin said. "The fact that a professor can teach a wonderful course now does not necessarily mean that it will be taught wonderfully in twenty years."
The final decision is made by a six-person committee headed by President Tilghman.
During the process, the committee reviews student opinion on course evaluations and personal emails.
Students are encouraged to get involved in the tenure process by contacting department heads, Dobkin said.
The other problem raised by USG members was how to build personal relationships between students and professors.
Several USG members said they thought for any positive relationship between the faculty and the student body to exist, there first needs to be a desire for those relationships.
Dobkin said faculty members continually bring their families to eat in the dining halls and eating clubs to interact with students. He said students usually do not embrace these attempts to foster student-faculty relationships.
Speaking of his days as a resident fellow in Mathey College, Dobkin said, "Sometimes a student would approach me with a question about a course I was teaching, but rarely would we talk about anything other than that."
Dobkin also answered questions about the racial diversity of the faculty and the gender diversity in the engineering department. Dobkin and his committee are attempting to not only "richen" the talent pool of applicants but also to break up the "boys club" that exists in the engineering department.
A task force chaired by Tilghman concluded two weeks ago that though there has been improvement in gender equality during the last few years, problems remain. The University appointed Joan Girgus, a former psychology professor and dean of the college, as assistant dean of the faculty to oversee gender equity.
The USG also addressed plans for a new cultural affairs distribution requirement. Classes in Near Eastern Studies and Philosophy would meet this requirement.
The cultural affairs requirement would force students to take advantage of the various "esoteric" courses available to them at Princeton, several USG members said.
The USG finalized and approved its $140,000 budget for the fall semester after considering UFO funding.
The Voting Stations Amendment was also passed and will be incorporated into the Elections Packet for the December elections.
The Amendment will prohibit voting stations in certain places including eating clubs and will not allow candidates to campaign within five feet of a voting station.
The amendment is an attempt to "show voters that they have rights in campaigns too," U-Council member John Brunger '05 said.
The USG went on to finalize its plans for Skate Night on Thursday. The event will give students an alternative to "The Street" prior to midterms.
Read More
Economics professor Kate Ho passes away after long battle with cancer
Devon RudolphProfessor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Professor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Pedestrian left in critical condition after traffic collision on Nassau Street
Luke GrippoThe pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
The pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
Senior class jacket abruptly changed following accusations of AI design
Vitus LarrieuFor more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.
For more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.