PRINT DISCLAIMER: Official version of this document is accessible in the online policy library at https://policyoffice.ku.edu/. Printed copies may not reflect the most recent updates.
DOCUMENT TYPE:
Procedure
PURPOSE:
Student evaluations are a critical tool used to gather feedback from students about classroom experiences and instructor effectiveness. Student evaluation of teaching serve to enhance teaching quality and inform faculty evaluations. The Kansas Board of Regents requires that students have an opportunity to evaluate instructors and that student evaluations of teaching must be collected under controlled conditions that protect students’ anonymity.
APPLIES TO:
All departments and schools
CAMPUS:
Edwards, Lawrence
PROCEDURE STATEMENT:
This document describes procedures for administration of formal, end-of-term student evaluations of teaching. These procedures do not prevent instructors, departments, or schools from seeking student feedback on instruction through additional means.
Procedures for Administration of University Student Survey of Teaching
All students receive the university-developed Student Survey of Teaching in an online format that protects the anonymity of student responses. Information about how to access the Student Survey of Teaching is distributed to students by the Office of Analytics, Institutional Research, & Effectiveness (AIRE). Students receive notification of survey availability and reminders to complete the survey via email and in the learning management system.
Timing of survey distribution is based on the course length, course end date, and term. Details of the distribution schedule are available at the AIRE Student Surveys of Teaching website.
Instructors should have access to their evaluation results only after the term grade submission deadline.
Procedures for In-Person Administration of University Student Survey of Teaching
Instructors of in-person courses should allocate class time for students to complete the Student Survey of Teaching. The class session during which time is allocated should be announced at least one class session in advance.
Procedures for In-Person Administration of University Student Survey of Teaching
Instructors of in-person courses should allocate class time for students to complete the Student Survey of Teaching. The class session during which time is allocated should be announced at least one class session in advance.
If class time is allocated, sufficient time (no less than 10 minutes) is to be provided during the class session for students to complete the evaluation. The instructor is to leave the room while the evaluations are being completed.
Students who are unable to complete the Student Survey of Teaching during the allocated class time may complete it independently online.
Procedures for Administration of University Student Survey of Teaching in Online Courses
Instructors of online courses are encouraged to remind students to complete evaluations through a course announcement or other notification.
Procedures for Administration of School- or Department-Developed Evaluations
Some schools and departments administer specialized evaluation instruments in addition to the university-developed Student Survey of Teaching. Student evaluations developed by schools and departments may be administered in either online or paper format.
For full-term classes, evaluations of teaching should be administered during the last two full weeks of classes. Evaluations may not be conducted during the time designated for final examinations.
If class time is allocated, the class session during which time is allocated should be announced at least one class session in advance.
For evaluations administered in a paper format, the instructor should designate a student volunteer to administer the evaluations. To protect the confidentiality of responses, the student volunteer collects the completed forms and returns them to the designated individual or office in a sealed envelope.
If class time is allocated, sufficient time (no less than 10 minutes) is to be provided during the class session for students to complete the evaluation. The instructor is to leave the room while the evaluations are being completed.
Instructors should have access to their evaluation results only after the term grade submission deadline.
CONTACT:
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Strong Hall 145
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045
facultyaffairs@ku.edu
785-864-6489
RESPONSIBLE UNIT:
Office of the Chief Academic Officer/Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
APPROVED BY:
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
APPROVED ON:
1993-10-11
EFFECTIVE ON:
1993-10-11
REVIEW CYCLE:
2 year
CHANGE HISTORY:
10/26/2026: Updated to align with current online format for evaluations.
10/09/2025: Updated formatting.
03/26/2025: Migration to TeamDynamix from Drupal.
01/18/2024: Updated contact section.
12/09/2014: Policy formatting cleanup (e.g., bolding, spacing).
10/23/2014: Updated policy to include Procedures for Administration of Student Evaluations of Online Courses.
07/14/2014: Made update to contact information.
TITLE:
Procedures for Administration of Student Evaluations of Teachers