Volume 3, Issue 16: April 29, 2021
R.I.S.E.* Up Newsletter
*Reinforcing Inclusion through Skill-building and Education
Photo of Anais Nin with quote - We don't see things as they are. We see them as we are.
It is course evaluation time at JCU! But are you aware of the potential pitfalls with student course evaluations?

Most of us are aware of the many problems with using student course evaluations as a measure of instructor performance. However, fewer people may be aware that a growing body of scholarship shows the significant role played by bias in student course evaluation scores. (An excellent Google doc with a bibliography of these studies is maintained online by political scientists Mirya Hollman, Ellen Key and Rebecca Kreitzer.)

These studies consistently show distinct differences between the scores and types of feedback received by faculty members based on their identities. The most consistent finding: women and instructors of color are systematically rated lower on student evaluations than white men, even when there are no actual differences in instruction or in measures of student learning.

These patterns of bias also exist with regard to faculty members who are of international origin, LGBTQ+, or part of otherwise underrepresented groups. These negative effects are, of course, compounded in unique ways when a faculty member holds multiple underrepresented identities.

Because bias exists in course evaluations, faculty can ask students to pause before beginning their evaluations to participate in a brief metacognitive exercise (i.e., think about what they're thinking about). Studies show that just being aware of the existence of implicit bias in a particular can help reduce the occurrence of it. (For an interesting summary of some of the research on implicit bias and metacognition, click here.)

Before inviting students to complete the course evaluation, faculty can describe some of these problems to students, and invite them to think about them for a moment before beginning their evaluations. Here are a couple of examples:

The Problem: Studies show that female faculty at universities receive significantly more student evaluation comments about their appearance than male faculty. Many female faculty at JCU report receiving student evaluations discussing, for example, their body, voice, hair, face, makeup, and clothing choices. Even complimentary comments in this category are inappropriate. 

How students can help address it: Never discuss an instructor's appearance in a course evaluation. Focus on the technical aspects of the course and the instructors' ability to facilitate your learning. 


How students can help address it: Recognize that both of these skill sets -- compassion AND expertise -- are important for faculty to have. You should address both in every course evaluation and address the way that the faculty member's skills have been instrumental to your learning. Notice where you might be inclined to emphasize one skill set over the other in a particular faculty evaluation, and whether expectations related to race or gender might be informing that decision.  

We all have a role to play in ensuring that our systems operate in ways that are fair, equitable and unbiased. I encourage you to take a moment and tell your students, classmates and friends about this one way we can all take action today.

Headshot of Tiffany Galvin Green
Sincerely,

Tiffany Galvin Green, Ph.D.,
Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Division Announcements
Banner reads - A farewell party for Salomon Rodezno - May 7 3 pm
Big changes are afoot in the DEI Division this year. It is exciting but bittersweet to announce that Salomón (Salo) Rodezno, Director of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, will be leaving the university in June to pursue a doctoral degree at Michigan State University. 

Salo's contributions to JCU in the nearly 10 years that he has worked here are innumerable and his reach has been broad. He has been a tireless advocate and supporter for marginalized voices and creating a community that includes and embraces the needs of all identities on campus.

The entire campus community is invited to join us in saying farewell to Salo and wishing him well as he moves on to this exciting new opportunity. There are three ways you can participate:

Please join us in showing our appreciation to Salo for all of his tireless efforts and great collegiality. His dedication to justice and his demonstration of compassion have made an indelible impression on our entire community. He will be missed!
Other happenings at JCU
Celebration of Scholarship 2021 is available online!
Screenshot of YouTube playlist featuring Celebration of Scholarship event recordings
This year we celebrated the first-ever virtual "Celebration of Scholarship" annual research symposium at JCU. Take a look at the excellent presentations by our students on the "Celebration of Scholarship 2021" YouTube playlist.
R.I.S.E. Higher: Featured Article of the Week
Race on Campus: How to Be a More Inclusive Mentor
By Katie Mangan, Chronicle of Higher Education, April 27, 2021
As colleges continue to diversify their students at a faster rate than their faculty members, some professors will mentor students from radically different backgrounds. If you want this relationship to be successful, here's some advice: Listen first, and don't make assumptions.

More tips from longtime mentors:

... Ask, don't assume
... Be open and empathetic
... Recognize the system's biases
... Diversifying the graduate-student pipeline
Announcements from our network...
CWRU Equity Symposium
Friday, April 30, 2021 | 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Case Western Reserve University is hosting a free, virtual symposium on promoting the health and well-being of diverse student populations on college campuses. Faculty and staff working with students, as well as students themselves, are encouraged to participate as we highlight innovative strategies and tools you can use immediately on your campus and in your classroom.
Owning Slavery, Pursuing Justice, Seeking Reconciliation:
Lessons from Georgetown and the U.S. Jesuits
Promo image for Georgetown University online program April 29
This virtual program was hosted earlier today by the Georgetown University Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life. Recording available online now! 
Promo image for Balm in Gilead series
A Balm in Gilead: Deepening our Understanding and Conversation about Race through the Eyes of Faith
May 5, 12, and 19 | 7:00-8:15 pm EDT
Danielle Harrison, Co-Director of the Slavery, History, Memory and Reconciliation Project, offers a three part "deep dive" into the topic of Race, Racism, and Faith through the lens of Ignatian spirituality. Sponsored by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, Jesuit Commission on Social and International Ministries, and the Jesuit Committee of Spiritual and Pastoral Ministry.
2021 Migration Justice Summit for Student Organizers
Sponsored by the Ignatian Solidarity Network
June 15-18 | 12:00-5:00 pm daily | Online
Ignatian Solidarity Network logo
This interactive summit will invite participants to connect with fellow students, hear from people impacted by the issues and experts in the field, develop organizing skills, and plan for action during the school year. Each day will include reflection, interactive sessions, policy education, and skill building for organizing. Each university may send up to 10 students.

Registration Deadline: Friday, May 21
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