What is SROT?
SROT is an acronym for the faculty evaluation form, Student Report on Teaching. "The Results of these surveys are used by [each] professor to reflect on her/his teaching...[responses] focus on the instructor and not on the course." (Student Report on Teaching instrument)
Is this a new faculty evaluation form?
The University Senate approved Student Report on Teaching forms were finalized and printed for summer 2006 use. This inclusive form contains the questions and the response options so that the student is able to respond to the University Senate approved 16 questions (and an additional 16 supplemental questions) and offer written comments on one separate form for each instructor in a course. IR&A staff scans and reports the results contained on this form only. IR&A will continue to provide departments with an analysis of the supplemental questions. IR&A does not scan or report from any other faculty evaluation form.
How will our department use this new form to ask supplemental questions?
Departments will have the opportunity to ask 16 additional questions for a total of 32. Departments intending to ask additional questions should begin their supplemental questionnaire at Question 17 and not exceed Question 32. Administration of the supplemental questionnaire is the responsibility of the department.
Which classes will be evaluated?
According to Teaching Evaluation Committee (TEC) documentation (May 4, 2006), the SROT will be "used in each and every course at the institution" for each and every instructor assigned to a course. UST departments and faculty members have voiced concerns over this all encompassing definition. These concerns included courses such as independent studies, labs, dissertations, distance classes, cohorts, etc. As of August 2006, the only courses to be excluded from the SROT process are independent studies. All other courses will continue to receive the SROT packet.
When will the department receive the initial packets?
As mandated by the University Senate, each department shall receive the SROT packets no less than two weeks prior to the "end of class." The current distribution schedule is based on delivery of packets three weeks prior to the "end of class." The "end of class" date is recorded in the End Date field in Meeting Time on the SSASECT form in Banner. Section records must include the correct end of class date and each assigned instructor in order to appear on the SROT packet delivery schedule.
Is the SROT packet delivery schedule online?
IR&A staff developed an audit report for department chairs and coordinators to identify SROT packet delivery dates. This audit report is available by logging onto Cognos 8. After logging in, click on the "Public Folders" tab and then select the "Institutional Research and Analysis" folder. This folder contains a comprehensive list of reports available through IR&A to include the SROT audits. Select “Course Sections for Student Report of teaching.” Click here to access the distribution list for packets.
There is a Cognos 8 tutorial available for new users at http://www.stthomas.edu/ira/iraportal/default.html
If you need assistance with Cognos 8, please contact the Help Desk at 2-6230. The Help Desk operator will then forward your concerns to the Business Intelligence group in IRT.
Can absent students complete an evaluation after-the-fact?
If a course packet has been delivered, by the student proctor, to the department coordinator and not placed in campus mail (due to absent students on the day of administering the evaluation) then those absent students may be directed to the department coordinator to pick up an uncompleted form from the packet to complete in the presence of the coordinator. The coordinator may then include the form in the evaluation packet, seal it, and place the packet in campus mail. However, if the packet has already been returned to the IR&A office, students no longer have the opportunity to complete an evaluation. Packets received by IR&A are immediately recorded and scanned.
When are summaries and packets returned for dissemination to the faculty?
IR&A will be distributing the new reports via ReportNet once the grading deadline has passed as prescribed by the University Senate. The SROT Summary and Packet Return dates are listed in the IR&A sharepoint Calendar. These reports will include the median score and frequency distribution for each question asked.
