The Recording Option to Protect Against False Claims

Yours truly has received reports that some faculty were being "dinged" by students on course evaluations for fall quarter, due to their (the faculty's) perceived position on the current Israel-Gaza War, even if the instructor didn't discuss the conflict and the course was unrelated to it. There have been reported to be false claims of course content referenced in the evaluations. 

Clearly, there are larger issues regarding course evaluations and their use in academic advancement that long predate the current tensions. However, a simple approach for instructors going forward in the current period is to record their courses and let students know that the recordings are being made. Indeed, the recordings can be put on course websites for the convenience of students. If false claims are made in evaluations about course content, the recordings will refute such claims.

Video recordings of classes can be complicated to make unless the classroom is set up with equipment for such recordings. However, audio recordings are easy to make using inexpensive (or fancy) audio-recorders. Basically, you just turn them on at the beginning of class and turn them off at the end. Smartphones can also be used as recording devices. (You may have problems in getting lengthy recordings off your phone, however, so audio-recorders may be a better option.)

Note that just as it is easy for instructors to record classes, it is also easy for students (although there are legal restrictions against students doing so without permission). Having a complete recording provides some protection against misleading edited versions winding up on social media.

Instructors who bring in guest speakers should, of course, record only with permission of the guests.

A related issue: I have been told of veiled threats and menacing in written evaluations. Evaluations are anonymous but threats are nonetheless illegal and there may need to be some general cautioning on evaluation forms about making such statements. Note that UCLA is reported to be among the various universities under federal investigation so permitting such activity is at best a Bad Look.

In the end, if the problem persists, the Academic Senate would be wise to consider it and adjust the use of evaluations as needed.