Interesting Facts and Figures

• Each year, over 2,500 evaluation packages are produced - one for each instructor of each course section.
• In 2006/07, over 160,000 evaluation forms were printed and distributed to students. Of these forms, more than 93,000 were returned by student representatives to their departmental offices.
• The largest single academic unit is the Faculty of Education with more than 230 individual courses, sections, and instructors to be evaluated.
• The smallest academic units are the Writing Center with two evaluations, and Jewish Studies with six evaluations in the 2006/07 academic year.
• Each year, about 18% of instructors customize their evaluations by adding additional items to their evaluation forms. Students can peruse these items by going to the Inventory at this site.
• The most popular additional item selected by instructors in 2004/05 was:
  • "The instructor was enthusiastic in presenting course material."
• These five items were the next most popular (from greatest to least):
  • "The instructor created a positive class environment."
  • "The instructor encouraged students to express their opinions."
  • "The instructor seemed genuinely interested in the course material."
  • "The instructor seemed to be concerned about whether students learned the material."
  • "The instructor presented material in a clear manner."
• In 1996/97, 96% of instructors allowed their USAT results to be released to students; in 1997/98, 70% authorized release of results to students. The drop in the release rate occurred at a time that the default was switched from release-to-students to withhold-from-students if the instructor did not provide specific instructions.
• In 2006/07, 58% of instructors authorized release of their results to students. Some instructors have given permission to release their results on an ongoing basis.
• In 2006/07, the overall student participation rate was 63%. The highest overall response rate for the fall and winter terms came from the Master of Education program at 97%. The second-highest response rate for these terms came from the Accelerated MBA Program at 96%. In undergraduate programs, the German and the International Study Centre had return rates of 84% with the French Program finishing a close second at 79%. A USAT study has shown that a drop in the number of evaluations returned is related to the date of evaluation. Evaluations that take place in the final week of classes tend to yield lower participation rates.