Faculty members say they are concerned about how the university plans to evaluate departments across campus.

Since the Student Council for Academic Planning began conducting a Metrics for Degree Program Review for academic programs, many faculty members are concerned about what this may mean for their own programs.

The underlying concern is some programs that are rated lower than others worry they may be faced with a difficult decision after they are inspected.

Many professors stated their worries about what this may mean privately, but they are ultimately unsure due to the lack of knowledge they have about the program. Therefore, many do not feel equipped to state a public opinion that isn’t backed by information.

Some have said privately that after years of disinvestment in faculty and academics, years of few to no raises and cuts, and faculty line removals, it is frustrating and demoralizing that the university wants faculty to prove how they are making a profit for the university.

One faculty member with intimate knowledge of the metrics, however, expressed their discontent with how the SCAP is carrying out this plan. They expressed that by prioritizing profitability to measure the success of a non-profit university, the SCAP is replicating a “capitalist and neoliberal focus” of choosing money over knowledge.

Adil Khan, chair of the Religious Studies department, additionally expressed the fact that the College of Arts and Sciences has made a substantial impact on the university despite the lack of funds.

“We hope that the administration is prepared to act on rectifying the situation now that the metrics reveal just how much the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences contribute to Loyola and at such low cost,” Khan said.

Chemistry professor Shane McGlynn also commented on how the metrics fail to treat all departments equally.

“It’s a metric that doesn’t necessarily treat all departments the same and ultimately raises concern over how all departments are evaluated equally. I wouldn’t say fear or anxiety, but concern,” he said.

On the other hand, Roger White, an associate professor of Political Science, explained that he understood what the SCAP was trying to accomplish with the metrics. He believes that it is necessary for the organizations in the university to be reviewed to ensure they are performing well.

“We have to make sure that we’re academically sound, but we also have to make sure that we’re organizationally sound,” he said. 

White explained that Loyola being a nonprofit organization doesn’t mean that there aren’t incoherencies in some organizations.

“Our accredited agencies take a close look at that,” he said.

However, White also acknowledged that this process may not be the best way to ensure that Loyola is organizationally sound.

“I understand what they were doing. Whether or not they did it the best way, I’m not confident to judge,” he said.

To respond to faculty concern, Provost Thomas Chambers wanted to emphasize that the metrics program was developed by a faculty committee, the SCAP, and was approved by the University senate with 22 yays, nine nays, and three abstentions. 

“There has been, and will continue to be, ample opportunity for faculty to communicate on the program review process,” Chambers said.

The Metrics for Degree Program Review was approved by the University Senate on Jan. 22. The SCAP listed some metrics they considered during their recent initial review: Contribution Margin, Student Course Credit Hours per Faculty Full-Time Equivalent, and Headcount Stability.

According to the update letter sent by Chambers after the completion of the initial reviews, programs rated in the lowest 25% of metrics according to their guidelines would be identified for further investigation. Chambers acknowledged that the metrics cannot capture the complexity of work in some programs, so the SCAP will consult the programs before making recommendations. 

Sarah Allison, the Faculty Senate Director, did not respond to a request to comment.

Loyola’s American Association of University Professors refrained from responding as of now.