SIR II Awareness
As many of us gradually come to terms with the realization that our New Year resolution commitments may have been slightly over amplified, and for the moment have decided that revisiting our decision making maybe in our best interest. Moreover, the recognition that we are only in month two of the second part of the academic year is more than a little exasperating to say the least.
For the most part Faculty get on with the job at hand, doing what they do best…providing the stellar instruction and training they are renowned for. That endless encouragement, mentoring and quite often that much needed empathy to an audience that often takes us for granted.
The educational arenas are most often difficult to navigate and often expectations may not always be met or agreed upon, both from the educator and the student. Frustration and anxiety are the norms for a Post-Secondary education yet need to be managed in a positive way with positive outcomes. Unfortunately, throughout any part of the academic year we are not absolved from the infamous SIR II reporting. Often viewed by many as an inconvenience more than a supporting mechanism. However, it is, and will continue, to be an inherent part of the Post-Secondary ritual that all Faculty must endure.
Historically at SAIT the administering of the SIR II has been a sensitive issue for many of the Faculty. Although SAIT have a policy for the administering of the SIR it would appear that the guide lines for the dispensing of the SIR are somewhat blurred. (SIR II Guidelines and Resources) An agreement between an instructor and Academic Chair re the Who, Where and When are an integral part of the discussion for proceeding with a SIR. The importance and the implications of the SIR Report for a Faculty member should be articulated clearly and un-prejudicially to the students participating in the SIR, from the Academic Chair. In many Schools /Departments the SIR II overseeing is handled directly by an Office Administrator that has been trained in the SIR II Reporting process…presumably.
When the results from the SIR Reports are received the opportunity for discussion between Instructor and Academic Chair now presents itself. However, the catalyst for a successful meeting is for the Academic Chair to provide, in advance to the Instructor a copy of the SIR Report –with comments. This permits the Instructor to re-trace his or her steps and prepare additional thoughts and commentaries prior to a meeting with the Academic Chair regarding the SIR.
Past Practices at SAIT have always allowed for this collaborative process, between Instructors and Academic Chairs when dealing with SIR’s and Performance Evaluations. The practice of withholding personal and sensitive information from an instructor prior to any meeting is unacceptable and undermines the importance of the meeting. The commitment to a transparent process will result in a meaningful encounter for both parties.
SAFA President: James McWilliams