Editor’s note: This story is the fifth in a five-part series about the provost’s annual evaluations of deans on Ohio University’s Athens campus.
After receiving the same approval ratings from his faculty and staff as last year, Ohio University’s College of Business Dean Hugh Sherman said he was proud of his performance this year.
Of the 54 College of Business faculty members asked to review Sherman, 27 responded, a 50 percent response rate. They gave Sherman an overall 81 percent approval rating — the same rating he received a year ago from 46 percent of the surveyed faculty.
This year, faculty rated Sherman highest in university relations, with 95 percent of those surveyed saying Sherman effectively represents the college within the university as a whole.
Sherman’s lowest faculty evaluation score came in the area of research; 62 percent of faculty surveyed said they believe Sherman effectively emphasizes the research of the college.
“It’s a valid concern,” Sherman said, saying the general rule in the college is that faculty members spend 60 percent of their time on teaching and service and 30 to 40 percent on research.
“Some people feel research should be more,” he said. “I think that’s a healthy discussion with the college.”
However, one faculty member who is actively engaged in research with the college said he believes Sherman is a strong advocate for research.
“I am the O’Bleness research professor in the college, and I have found (Sherman) to be very supportive of research,” said Faizul Huq, a professor of operations management. “He has continually made research available to me for my research.”
Several other College of Business employees declined to comment.
Of the 18 business staff members asked to evaluate Sherman, three of them — or 17 percent — responded, as compared to 28 percent last year. They gave Sherman an overall 100 percent approval rating, the same rating as a year ago.
Staff members gave Sherman a 100 percent rating in every area but interpersonal relationships, in which he received a 67 percent approval rating. Sherman said he wasn’t surprised at the concern staff exhibited.
“For each of the last four years, we’ve gone through reorganizations of staff people,” he said. “It’s hard for anyone to go through changes of responses, to go through one function to another.”
Several comments expressed concerns that Sherman showed favoritism in the college.
“Unfortunately, there are friends of the dean and then there are the rest of us,” one evaluator said.
Sherman responded by saying that although he does socialize with some members of the college, he is “scrupulous” about not showing favoritism.
Many comments were positive and said Sherman has effectively led the college during budget problems.
“Has done an incredible job leading us in these terribly tough times,” one comment stated. “I can’t imagine where we would be without him.”
In her evaluation, Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit praised Sherman’s work.
“Through your willingness to assist whenever called upon, your outstanding partnership with the Voinovich School and other academic units, and your contributions to the Council of Deans you have been a great asset to the university,” she wrote.
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