It’s the time of year for course evaluations. Although students may use them as a tool for ranting or flattery, departments take course evaluations very seriously.

Each department offers some kind of course evaluation. After students fill out evaluations, instructors and directors go over the sheets and assess the information.

“We use them to help improve courses, especially if it’s a new course,” said Kathy Leonard, professor of Spanish.

Jane Peterson, associate director of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, said she looks at course evaluations to see if professors are meeting expectations.

“They have to show that they are doing quality work, not only teaching, but also researching and service in and outside the university,” Peterson said.

Peterson goes over evaluations with teachers and addresses needs based on feedback from students.

“Feedback can affect salary increases, promotions and tenure,” Peterson said.

Not only do the reviews help teachers’ performances, but they also help directors and instructors evaluate effectiveness of the course in itself.

“For example, if students said the textbook was not useful, we’ll look into other options,” Peterson said. “Sometimes that’s easier said than done.”

Peterson personally takes the comments students leave into heavy consideration.

“If they took the time to write it, it probably has value,” Peterson said.

However, not all comments are as useful.

“Someone who is taking shots at a professor, for example about what they wear, is probably just saying that because they didn’t like the instructor,” Peterson said.

Leonard agreed it is sometimes hard to decipher comments.

“Our assessments ask how many classes a student missed and their expected grade,” Leonard said. “That can sometimes help us see if their comments correlate.”

Sometimes even professors who consistently receive high reviews return negative comments.

“Rarely do I see all exactly the same comments,” Peterson said. “It’s important to see where the truth lies — it’s somewhere within the extremes.”

Peterson also said, if there is an attitude conflict, students should take initiative early in the semester.

“Students and faculty don’t always get along, but [the students] need to figure out what to do to make it better,” Peterson said.

Course evaluations are not only used to assess current staff but also new instructors departments are considering hiring.

Although, it is rare instructors to be fired, they do have to prove competence.

“We want our instructors to have made a national reputation for themselves,” Peterson said.

If instructors have not received satisfactory remarks, measures are taken to help them improve. Most frequently, teachers are referred to the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning on campus to help them improve. Departments also work within to achieve effectiveness.

“We use [the Center], but we also use peer evaluations, when other professors visit classes and observe the professor teaching,” Leonard said.

Although unclear on how the form’s questions are generated, Iowa State requires them for nearly every department. In her 20 years at Iowa State, Leonard has not seen a change in the questionnaire. Things may change in the future, as Iowa State is pushing for more online evaluations.

Peterson is unsure how the return rate will be affected.

“[The Greenlee School] put all our evaluations online last summer and didn’t get as good of a return rate,” Peterson said. “More things need to be thought through and worked out.”

Both agreed it will be difficult to measure the return rate until all evaluations are online.

“Although it’s being pushed, if they aren’t required, that may be an issue,” Leonard said.

Either way, online or in Scantron format, there is evidence that departments pay attention to what students are saying.

“Many professors could make more money working in their industry, they want to be here and want to know what you need,” Peterson said.