Senate Bill No. 174, introduced by Senator Cathey, mandates annual evaluations for all faculty members at public postsecondary education institutions in Louisiana. The bill requires each institution to develop specific guidelines for these evaluations, which must include established criteria for assessing faculty performance in teaching, professional activity, and service. Additionally, it necessitates the creation of written job descriptions that detail job duties and performance goals, ensuring faculty members receive this information upon employment or reassignment. The evaluation process will involve input from department heads, deans, and provosts, and emphasizes the importance of faculty documentation.

The bill also introduces a structured remediation plan for faculty who do not meet performance standards over consecutive years, which could lead to the forfeiture of tenure for those who fail to improve. Faculty evaluations will influence decisions regarding tenure, promotion, and merit raises, and must be documented in the faculty member's permanent file. Faculty members are permitted to submit written responses to their evaluations, which department heads must address. To receive an overall adequate evaluation, faculty must achieve a rating of adequate or higher in their respective areas. Failure to meet these standards may result in administrative action, including academic dismissal, particularly for tenured faculty who do not show significant progress after a remediation plan.