Editor's note: This is the sixth installment of a seven-part series examining the evaluations of Ohio University deans. Seven out of 10 were formally evaluated this year.
Ohio University's College of Education dean will undergo a comprehensive evaluation next year because of consistently low approval ratings on her annual evaluations.
Renée Middleton received a 25 percent approval rating from faculty this year, down from 36 percent last year. Faculty response rate also was lower this year at 50 percent, down from 69 percent last year.
The college has had the highest turnout rate by far the past two years.
The Faculty Handbook requires the provost to conduct a comprehensive evaluation if more than half the college's faculty requests one. Education did not quite meet that standard, but Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl wrote in her report that a comprehensive review will take place next year, citing patterns in criticism.
If faculty do not call for such an evaluation, it happens only in the final year of a dean's contract. The education faculty evaluation committee asked Krendl to call for the full review.
Some evaluations were positive
and they deserve mention the committee wrote. But the overwhelming mood of the respondents seemed to be disappointment.
Middleton, who earned a $175,100 base salary this year, said she welcomed the comprehensive review.
I don't have a problem with that she said. My role here really is as a change agent. ... That doesn't come easy.
The dean added she feels there have been incremental changes and improvements in her relationship with faculty. Krendl recommended last year that Middleton form a faculty advisory committee and this year is mandating that move.
Middleton said she wanted to try other approaches before forming such a committee. She began holding colloquium sessions with faculty each quarter, but in comments one faculty member said those meetings always seem scripted.
In an e-mail to faculty after the provost's report came out, Middleton said she looks forward to working with the advisory committee to revise and refine the college's plans.
The focus on goals and planning ties into the provost's call for the dean to be more present on campus and in the college by restricting her travel and delegating fewer responsibilities.
While it is important ... to have a strong external presence
it cannot be at the expense of the internal health and well-being of the college
Krendl wrote. In the upcoming academic year it is incumbent that you focus your attention internally.
Middleton said she looks forward to working with a faculty advisory committee but believes excessive interference from above is unnecessary.
I know how to be a dean
she said. I know how to manage my schedule; I know the role and purpose and function of associate deans and assistant deans
and it is important for me to have the autonomy to function as dean.
Faculty gave Middleton her highest approval ratings in affirmative action (81 percent) and promoting the development of outreach and service partnerships (66 percent). Both are areas the dean said she has focused on, placing them as first and second priorities for the college. Krendl also praised the college's progress in those areas.
Middleton said she especially enjoys her work with principals, superintendents and teachers in regional schools, saying it keeps her engaged.
Staff comments were relatively balanced, with many saying they enjoy interacting with the dean but that her communication style could include more openness to other people's ideas. Middleton said she will try to act on those comments.
I think that's something I should try to work on
she said. I don't want to ignore that.
1
News
