Editorial: Looking at professors’ productivity

Monday, Feb. 9, 2004 | 8:59 a.m.

Last September the Board of Regents, the elected body that oversees Nevada's university system, set up a task force to address concerns that professors weren't productive enough. Each institution has its own policies regarding the course loads that professors carry and requirements about how much research is required, a situation that can make it difficult to determine who are the workhorses and who are the slouches. "I need something that is more quantifiable as to what is research and what is quality research," Regent Steve Sisolak said at last week's task force meeting. "I think there needs to be accountability that presently doesn't exist." Some faculty leaders acknowledge the need for more accountability, but they also say each department should have enough flexibility to meet its needs.

The work that professors do is unique. Most of their work is done outside the classroom and their research or preparation for class lectures often doesn't follow a 9-to-5 regimen. Nevertheless, the Board of Regents is on the right track in seeking to increase the level of accountability. Right now, as the Sun's Christina Littlefield noted in a story Friday, professors might come in for a review just every one to three years, when they're either up for a promotion or in line for tenure. Another area that needs better oversight is outside consulting. Such work, if it results in publication, can enhance an institution's image. But there is a valid concern that it also can distract a professor's attention away from what should be his top priority, which is the school. A policy that should be adopted is one used by the Desert Research Institute, which requires that any consulting be performed on the individual's own time. There also should be requirements that all consulting work b! e approved by the departmental chairman.

One of the biggest complaints that students and the general public have is that professors spend too much time on research and not enough time in the classroom. We believe that is an oversimplification, but there definitely is room for improvement for establishing better standards for professors while at the same time ensuring it doesn't interfere with their creativity or harm academic freedom. We hope that this review can put into place accountability measures that not only will improve productivity, but will also increase the public's trust that their tax dollars are being well spent.