Texas A&M faculty are protesting plans to give $2,500 - $10,000 bonuses to the Top 15% of faculty solely on the basis of student evaluations:
The chancellor of the Texas A&M University System wants to give bonuses worth up to $10,000 to some instructors, but so far, many aren't interested. "I've never had so much trouble giving away a million dollars," Chancellor Mike McKinney said, laughing. ...
But faculty members have voiced concern about the program's fairness, worried that it relies on a single evaluation method and could become a popularity contest that wouldn't serve students. Many instructors haven't signed up to participate; the faculty senate passed a resolution opposing the program. ...
"I don't think faculty are going to pander to students for a few thousand dollars," said Traci Carte, an associate professor of management information systems.
I could probably score 4.8 out of 5 if I promised everybody A's and cupcakes regardless of their test scores.
Still, it's heartening to see that the A&M faculty aren't buying the bonuses.