Academic Affairs

September 27, 2022 

Hello UNO Faculty,

UNO is in the process of moving to a new course evaluation platform developed by Watermark that is intended to enhance the course evaluation process for both faculty and students.

• Students will find the course evaluation link within the Canvas site and it will be open to them for a standard window of time.  There will also be reminder emails to students.
• Faculty will be able to access a dashboard that provides real-time information on response return rates for each course.  Faculty will also be able to access course evaluation data from within the platform at the end of the term. 

UNO’s Systems Intelligence and Data Analytics (SIDA) unit is working toward full implementation by the end of the fall semester.  When the course evaluation launch gets closer (mid-Oct/early Nov), more information will be shared with faculty including: 

• Timing during which course evaluations are available to students
• Where/how students can access the course evaluation link in Canvas
• How faculty can monitor response rates
• How to access course evaluation data after the end of the term

For now, please note three (3) things…

1. Course evaluations will launch according to a standardized schedule – please note that it will no longer be possible to customize the timing of course evaluation access for students.
2. For courses ending midterm this fall, please be advised that SNAP surveys will be used for course evaluations.  SIDA will contact faculty teaching short courses with information on the course evaluation process.
3. SIDA is developing an FAQ page that will be available to all faculty and that will include tips for increasing student response rates.  Ideas for questions? Share with Dan O'Dell at dpodell@unomaha.edu.

If you have questions/concerns re: the timing or if there are other issues in need of investigation, please let your Associate Dean know right away.

All the best,
Deborah Smith-Howell, Ph.D.

Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

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