GSB executive slates push participation in online prof rating

Kate Strickler

The online professor rating system Pick-A-Prof has been adopted as a campaign issue by two Government of the Student Body executive slates.

Iowa State is not officially part of the Pick-A-Prof system, but the slates said it provides a measure of accountability. Faculty members have said the system needs more openness for people who are posting reviews on the Pick-A-Prof Web site, however.

“This program is meant basically as a way for students to see what classes offer before they actually take them,” said Chris Deal, GSB vice presidential candidate.

Iowa State has not yet officially joined the program, so Pick-A-Prof is now available only in limited form. Students can rate classes, but don’t have access to textbook trading, course grade histories or schedule planners. Ninety-nine institutions have joined Pick-A-Prof, with 20 more in the process of joining this semester, Deal said.

“We wanted to do it the right way,” said Angela Groh, GSB director of government relations and GSB presidential candidate.

Groh and Deal, running mates, said they are promoting Pick-A-Prof in their platform. They are planning to present or have presented the idea to Provost Ben Allen, the GSB senate and the Faculty Senate. Deal said they hope to have a trial version available before the end of the semester.

Other candidates have voiced interest in the program.

“We think there needs to be a more effective way for students to rate professors and classes and have the ability to see the review process. I don’t know that Pick-A-Prof is the answer, but it seems like a start,” said Henry Alliger, GSB speaker of the senate and GSB presidential candidate.

With Pick-A-Prof, a student gives the professor a “star” rating, from a low of one to a high of five. The student also has the opportunity to write his or her comments. Every comment is screened before it’s posted, and profanity or personal attacks aren’t allowed, according to the Pick-A-Prof Web site.

The comments are also rated and posted according to their order of importance. Listed first are “better” reviews, which include type of exam, teaching style or homework load, Deal said.

Although student leaders are pushing for the university to join, professor support varies.

“I think they’re going to do it regardless; it’s not my place to censor,” said Brenda Daly, university professor of English.

Daly, however, said she was concerned about students remaining anonymous on the Web site.

“If a student posts a review, the student should be able to go the professor and tell them what they posted,” she said.

Other professors said they have similar reservations.

“I have no problem as long as students give their names,” said Kim Smith, professor of journalism and communication.

Smith said one gripe he has is that students could use one incident as the basis of their entire review. He suggested making the required course evaluations given by the instructor at the end of the semester public. Overall, Groh said she has received more than 75 percent positive feedback from students and professors.

Advertising funds the Pick-A-Prof Web site; there is no cost for students or professors to use it and no cost for the university to join. According to the Web site, the advertisements are subject to university approval; if Iowa State joined the rating system, ISU administration could determine which ads are acceptable.