The recent publication of teacher evaluation results by the University of Illinois’ student government raises an often-debated question: Should students have access to the results of teacher evaluations?

NIU’s policy states that evaluation results are given to the instructor and the department’s personnel committee. “Further distribution of the results shall be at the discretion of the department and with the permission of the faculty member,” according to the policy. Under the label of a personnel matter, teacher evaluations generally are not circulated to the general university public.

This method not only is unfair to students, but teachers as well. Students often rely on recommendations from friends and classmates in selecting courses.

If Bob thinks Professor Smith is a terrible instructor because Bob messed around in class and got a “D,” Bob’s evaluation and what Bob tells his friends might not be an accurate portrayal of Smith’s teaching performance. If students can see a teacher’s overall evaluation, it might help them make more informed conclusions about a teacher’s competence.

The fact that students pay a major portion of teachers’ salaries also should guarantee our rights to see results of teacher evaluations. Although teachers’ paychecks are signed by the university, the coffer is filled with students’ money.