The College is especially concerned about protecting students’ academic freedom. To that end, many instructors include statements in their syllabi that encourage all students to express their views freely and fearlessly. An example of one such syllabus is for POLS 45 – Government and Politics of Middle East – which is a political science course containing potentially contentious content. It covers political developments and changes in the Middle East, with emphasis on the Arab states and Israel. The syllabus includes the statement:

“At times the class will take up controversial issues and students will be encouraged to ask questions and engage in respectful discussion. The class will maintain an atmosphere of respect and tolerance at all times.”

The syllabus can be viewed here:

To further ensure that students have the right to express themselves freely without fear of consequences for their opinions and the right to be treated with respect regardless of their racial, sexual, religious, and/or political identification, instructors are evaluated every three years. Students’ evaluation is an important part of that process. Questions #5 and #18 on the student evaluation form relate specifically to these ideals.

http://www.ccsf.edu/dam/ccsf/documents/OfficeOfInstruction/EvaluationForms/CreditRegularSp14.pdf

Faculty are evaluated at least once in every three academic years.

See Article 9.C.1. of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between SFCCD and AFT2121

http://aft2121.org/PDF/SFCCD_AFT2121_2009-2012_Agreement-Amended7-28-11.pdf

or view directly here

http://fog.ccsf.edu/~wkaufmyn/AcademicFreedom/Evidence-ER12-AcademicFreedom-AFT2121contract-FacEvalFreq.jpg

In cases of valid student complaints resulting in a “Satisfactory but Needs Improvement”, the evaluators shall, in consultation with the evaluatee and the department chair, develop an improvement plan with specific goals, suggested means of achieving those goals, and timelines for completion.

See Article 9.C.4.2.11. of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between SFCCD and AFT2121

http://aft2121.org/PDF/SFCCD_AFT2121_2009-2012_Agreement-Amended7-28-11.pdf

or view directly here

http://fog.ccsf.edu/~wkaufmyn/AcademicFreedom/Evidence-ER12-AcademicFreedom-AFT2121contract-FacEvalSatNeedsImpr.jpg

In cases of valid student complaints resulting in an “Unsatisfactory” faculty evaluation ”, the evaluators shall, in consultation with the evaluatee and the department chair, develop an improvement plan with specific goals, suggested means of achieving those goals, and timelines for completion. In addition, a copy of the evaluation is sent to the Chancellor/designee so that a determination may be made if follow-up evaluation is warranted. Follow-up evaluation following an Unsatisfactory will normally be done in the following semester.

See Article 9.C.4.2.13 and 9.C.4.2.14 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between SFCCD and AFT2121

http://aft2121.org/PDF/SFCCD_AFT2121_2009-2012_Agreement-Amended7-28-11.pdf

or view directly here

http://fog.ccsf.edu/~wkaufmyn/AcademicFreedom/Evidence-ER12-AcademicFreedom-AFT2121contract-FacEvalUnsat.jpg

If students feel that they have been unfairly treated or that their grade has suffered because of an instructor’s bias, they can challenge the grade by following the grievance procedure.

College webpage informing students of their grievance rights:

http://www.ccsf.edu/en/student-services/StudentAffairs/SC.html

The grievance form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dORE488pFafZ1dYO-9Wuk_gdXVTcqvSDAeKOj19lltc/viewform