The SCFA became concerned with the AA relationship in the spring of 2016 (see earlier report here). Reports from other universities that had contracts with AA, particularly a detailed report from Rutgers University, suggested numerous problems with their data, most notably in the non-STEM fields.
After conducting more research about AA, the SCFA concluded that the contract should be terminated, and while in force, no AA data should be used in personnel actions or in resource allocation. In 2017 the SCFA had official discussions with University counsel and EVC Tromp’s office. EVC Tromp decided to renew the contract with AA, but guaranteed in a letter to the SCFA that AA data would not be used in personnel decisions. There remained, however, a number of unresolved issues that the SCFA continued to pursue, including UCSC faculty access to AA data, the use of that data in other decisions affecting the faculty, and the cost of the contract. Throughout 2018 and 2019 the SCFA met with the university administration numerous times, and reviewed numerous drafts of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) further limiting and specifying allowable uses for AA data.
During that period, faculty at other universities around the country, some inspired by our work, were raising the issue of AA data on their own campuses. By the end of the 2018-19 academic year, the University had not produced a version of the MOU that satisfied our concerns. At the end of that year, however, EVC Tromp left the university and was replaced by Interim EVC Lori Kletzer. Our initial meetings with Interim EVC Kletzer in the summer of 2019 left us with the strong impression that she agreed with our position, but would need to consult with others in the administration before terminating the contract. The decision was eventually made to terminate the contract with AA, which ended with the now concluded fiscal year.
The SCFA is grateful to EVC Kletzer and others in the administration for listening to and addressing our concerns. The SCFA Board would also like to thank all of those members who put so much time and effort into the successful struggle.