UNC Charlotte Academic Policy and Procedure: Student Feedback for Instructors
I. Executive Summary
This procedure offers a guideline for instructors to obtain student feedback in a consistent manner.
II. Policy and Procedure Statement
- Student feedback forms are to be distributed via an email invitation within two weeks prior to the end of the semester.
- Each College or Department will a) write a set of instructions for filling out the electronic forms that is communicated to the students prior to their completing the forms, and b) write a brief statement to be communicated to the students explaining their importance.
- Students may complete the electronic forms outside of class or during class; however, faculty are encouraged to provide time during class. Under no circumstances, however, will any evaluated or supervisory instructor be present while students are completing evaluations.
- An instructor may not have access to the results of their feedback until after final grades have been submitted.
Colleges or departments are required to choose one question from each of the first four categories below and may include additional questions such as those listed below under Question 5 or others.
Student Feedback Questions
| Question | Pillar | Student Feedback Question Options Likert scale – SA, A, N A/D, D, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Practice clarity and fairness in grading | 1. The grading system was clearly explained. 2. The instructor used grading methods that were fair. 3. The course used evaluation methods that were clearly defined and consistently applied. |
| 2. | Adopt inclusive teaching practices | 1. The teaching strategies (e.g., lectures, activities, texts) helped me learn the course content. 2. I felt invited to be an active participant in my learning. 3. Communication with the instructor (e.g., office hours, email, Canvas) supported my learning. |
| 3. | Create a positive learning environment | 1. The instructor created a positive learning environment. 2. The instructor encouraged student questions, intellectual challenges, and different viewpoints on the course material. 3. The instructor facilitated a respectful environment for all students. |
| 4. | Cultivate growth mindset and student motivation | 1. The instructor stimulated my thinking. 2. I have a better understanding of the concepts because of this course. 3. In this course, I felt challenged and motivated to learn. |
| 5. | Additional questions (optional) | 1. Name one or two concepts from this course that you think you can apply in the future. 2. What are one or two specific things that the instructor did that helped you learn in this course? |
Student feedback is important because it provides a way of collecting student perceptions about courses and successful teaching practices. The feedback questions draw the students’ attention to how much they are learning in a course and to whether or not the instructor was effective. This is the kind of information that only the student can provide and that is useful feedback for the instructor.
III. Definitions
- College – An academic unit of the University. Each of the seven discipline-based colleges at UNC Charlotte represents an organization of related departments.
- Department – A unit within a college representing a discipline. For example, the Department of English is in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS).
- Semester or Term – A period of study, usually a third of the academic year (i.e., Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters). Fall and Spring semesters generally include a period of study of one 15-week and two 7-week half terms. The Summer semester generally includes one eleven-week and two five-week half terms. UNC Charlotte offers courses for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, as well as varying term lengths associated with each semester. For the definition of each term refer to the Office of the Registrar.
IV. Policy and Procedure Contact(s)
- Authority: Faculty Council [Faculty Academic Policy and Standards Committee]
- Responsible Office: Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Additional Contact(s): n/a
V. History
- Approved: April 27, 2000
- Revised: April 19, 2001
- Revised: April 24, 2014 [changed necessary wording from paper forms to electronic forms format; added “after final grades” clause for faculty viewing of their evaluations]
- Revised: August 5, 2024 [changed required questions]
VI. Prior Versions
VII. Related Policies, Procedures and Resources
- Web-Based Course Evaluations: A Message from Dr. Joan F. Lorden
- My Course Evals
- Faculty Resources
- Reporting Tutorials and Faculty How-To-Guides
- Supplement: Student Communication Regarding Evaluations
- Supplement: Examples of Student Emails
- UNC Charlotte Academic Policy: Teaching Effectiveness
VII. Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is this policy and procedure referenced?
The policy and procedure is published on the Academic Policies & Procedures webpage of the Provost website. - Which students are covered under this policy?
This policy applies to all undergraduate and graduate students at UNC Charlotte. - See additional Frequently Asked Questions at My Course Evals FAQs