Popular Web sites ratemyprofessors.com and pick-a-prof.com raised some questions at the Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday.

Privacy issues and grade distribution were the main reasons the sites were brought up, said Joseph Stephen, Faculty Senate vice president and an associate professor of mathematical sciences.

Professors are most concerned with pick-a-prof.com because it provides grade distributions of classes, he said. Students can view course grades a professor has given to other students.

Professors were also concerned students would pick courses based on the perceived leniency of rated professors.

“That will influence how they choose their instructors and they will probably choose the most lenient graders,” said Janet Holt, an associate professor of educational technology research and assessment.

“I think it’s important that students realize that it’s not accurate information,” said Lynn Kamenitsa, an associate professor of political science.

Professors found the ratemyprofessors.com Web site more acceptable because students can rate their professors in various categories and offer comments. Students are entitled to information about their classes, Stephen said.

However, he warned students the information is not always accurate.

Students should be weary because the information may come from a student who has a serious issue with their professor or a student who cannot stop praising his or her professor, said Kamenitsa.