Student Evaluation of Instruction (SEI) Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines the procedures and guidelines for administering Student Evaluation of Instruction (SEI) surveys.

Policy

This policy establishes a standardized, University-wide process for administering SEIs to ensure compliance with SACSCOC Standard 6.3 (faculty appointment and evaluation) as well as Chapter III, Section X (Faculty Rank) of University of Louisiana System Board Rules, which states, “As part of its evaluative procedures, each institution will utilize a system of periodic faculty evaluations by students, with the improvement of teaching effectiveness as a major focus of such evaluations.”

SEI results are included in a faculty member’s Annual Performance Review (APR).

Key Considerations

• Instructors use SEI feedback to enhance teaching effectiveness and course quality.
• Deans and department heads use SEI data to support instructional improvement and make personnel decisions.
• SEIs provide an opportunity for students to offer feedback on course improvements.
• The evaluation process is anonymous.
• Instructors may not retaliate against students or impose negative repercussions based on SEI feedback.

Procedures

1. All courses will be evaluated online using the Class Climate System.
2. Courses with three or more students will be evaluated, unless the department head designates a course as “Not Evaluated” (N/E), such as thesis or internship courses.
3. Courses with one or two students will not be evaluated (N/E), unless they are combined with a similar course taught by the same instructor.
4. The following courses are excluded from evaluation (N/E):
   • Courses with the ORIN (Orientation) prefix
   • Courses with the CRSS (Cross-Enrollment) prefix
   • All gateway/portal courses and zero-credit courses
   • Varsity sports and performing dance courses with the KNES (Kinesiology) prefix
5. Courses offered as part of the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN) use alternative survey instruments and procedures.
6. Department heads will review the list of courses in their department and determine which should be N/E. The department head will receive an electronic list, review it, and submit it to the respective dean for approval. The approved list will then be forwarded to the director of institutional research for final approval.
7. Additional evaluation tools established by the department or program may be used for assessing individual instruction courses (e.g., independent study, thesis, research, and certain labs).
8. SEI administration typically occurs:
   • Fall semester: First week of November
   • Spring semester: Last week of March (subject to variation based on spring break or extenuating circumstances)
9. Individual Course Reports, including student comments, will be distributed to instructors after final grades are posted.
10. Each semester, Combined Reports for all courses taught by an instructor will be distributed after final grades are posted.
11. Academic Year Combined Reports for a faculty member’s APR purposes will be distributed after final exams end in the spring semester.
12. SEI departmental questions (if applicable) can be modified at the beginning of the APR evaluation period (prior to the summer term). Department heads will receive their current questions and instructions for making revisions.

Communication

This policy is distributed via the Academic Advisory Council and the University Policies webpage.