Is it true you should always take a class with a non-tenured Professor cause it will be easier?

Question

I heard they purposefully make the class easy and are super nice because they want and need good student evaluations at the end of the year, so that they can get a pay raise and/or get tenure. Is this just a myth?

Answer 1

This is a myth! I had one who was super-intelligent but made the class feel like we were illiterate weenies! Talk to people in your major and feel out your profs that way. I did this and had the greatest female prof in the world and was lucky enough to have her twice.

Answer 2

This is a myth.

Student evaluations are important, but not that important. They certainly don't determine whether you'll get a raise or tenure. (Your publications are the determining factor for tenure and promotion.) Student evaluations are mostly useful in terms of redesigning future offerings of a course.

I have some untenured colleagues who are extremely demanding of their students, and some tenured colleagues who are very very laid back. And vice versa.