SSTs - Info for Students
Students receive Student Surveys of Teaching (course evaluation) invitations via KU email each semester. This page covers how to access and complete surveys, and includes example communications.
Student Survey Guide
Students receive SST email invitations that include a link to the Student Survey Portal:
The Student Survey Portal displays all available SSTs, their statuses, and the SST expiration dates. It's possible that surveys will have different expiration dates because of class schedules. Once an expiration date has passed, the survey will be removed from the portal. Each course has a survey link for each instructor associated with the course. Explanatory text at the top of the portal advises students to only complete surveys for instructors that they recognize as participating in the instruction of the course.
Student SST Experience: Clicking a course name in the Student Survey Portal will open a survey for an instructor of the course. Each page of the survey includes the Course and Instructor name of the current survey. The first page of the survey includes a red arrow with instructions on how to open the left sidebar to see all instructors associated with the course. The sidebar is closed by default.
Left Sidebar: When opened, the left sidebar displays links to all available instructor surveys for the given course.
Account → Course Evaluations in the Global Navigation menu
Student Communications
Survey invitation emails are sent to students' KU email address towards the end of each semester. Links to the student portal to complete the surveys are included in the email. Students will also receive two reminder emails.
DATE: {See distribution schedule below}
FROM ADDRESS: do-not-reply@ku.edu
FROM NAME: KU Student Surveys of Teaching
REPLY-TO ADDRESS: aire-help@ku.edu
Subject: Student Surveys of Teaching
Dear {Student First Name},
You have new student surveys of teaching ready to complete.
What's new this year: Based on student and instructor feedback, we've updated the survey with new questions, more response options, and combined the course and instructor surveys — meaning fewer links each semester. If a course has multiple instructors, you'll receive a separate survey for each.
Why it matters: Your honest feedback helps instructors enhance their courses. Participation is voluntary, responses are anonymous, and results won't be shared with instructors until after final grades are submitted.
{Click here to complete your surveys.}
You can also access surveys through Canvas under Account in the Global Navigation.
Important:
- You must click SUBMIT to send your responses
- Review carefully — responses can't be changed after submission
- These surveys close: {Invitation Date + 13}.
Questions or trouble accessing a link? Contact aire-help@ku.edu.
Thank you, KU Student Surveys of Teaching Team
{Unique Student Portal Link}
Anonymity: Anonymous surveys do not collect personally identifiable information. Responses are combined with others and summarized to protect your anonymity. No personally identifiable information appears in reports unless you voluntarily provide it in comment fields.
DATE: Day 8 of survey open timeframe
FROM ADDRESS: do-not-reply@ku.edu
FROM NAME: KU Student Surveys of Teaching
REPLY-TO ADDRESS: aire-help@ku.edu
Subject: Reminder - Student Surveys of Teaching
Hi {Student First Name},
Reminder: You have student surveys of teaching waiting to be completed.
Your honest feedback helps instructors enhance their courses. Participation is voluntary, responses are anonymous, and results won't be shared with instructors until after final grades are submitted.
{Click here to complete your surveys.}
You can also access surveys through Canvas under Account in the Global Navigation.
Important:
- You must click SUBMIT to send your responses
- Review carefully — responses can't be changed after submission
- These surveys close: {Invitation Date + 13}.
Questions or trouble accessing a link? Contact aire-help@ku.edu.
Thank you, KU Student Surveys of Teaching Team
{Unique Student Portal Link}
Anonymity: Anonymous surveys do not collect personally identifiable information. Responses are combined with others and summarized to protect your anonymity. No personally identifiable information appears in reports unless you voluntarily provide it in comment fields.
DATE: Day 14 of survey open timeframe
FROM ADDRESS: do-not-reply@ku.edu
FROM NAME: KU Student Surveys of Teaching
REPLY-TO ADDRESS: aire-help@ku.edu
Subject: Reminder - Student Surveys of Teaching DUE TODAY!
Hi {Student First Name},
Final reminder: Today, {Invitation Date + 13}, is the LAST DAY to complete these student surveys of teaching.
Your honest feedback helps instructors enhance their courses. Participation is voluntary, responses are anonymous, and results won't be shared with instructors until after final
grades are submitted.
{Click here to complete your surveys.}
You can also access surveys through Canvas under Account in the Global Navigation.
Important:
- You must click SUBMIT to send your responses
- Review carefully — responses can't be changed after submission
Questions or trouble accessing a link? Contact aire-help@ku.edu.
Thank you, KU Student Surveys of Teaching Team
{Unique Student Portal Link}
Anonymity: Anonymous surveys do not collect personally identifiable information. Responses are combined with others and summarized to protect your anonymity. No personally identifiable information appears in reports unless you voluntarily provide it in comment fields.