Feedback helps us understand what students value, what they experience, and where improvements may be possible. Positive recognition, questions, concerns, and suggestions are all welcome. When you can, include details that help us understand the situation. You do not need to identify a solution before asking for help.
Not all feedback leads to meaningful change. The most impactful feedback is specific, professional, and solution-oriented.
A Simple Framework: Situation → Impact → Suggestion
Situation
What happened?
Describe what happened. Include the course, location, timeframe, or frequency when relevant.
Impact
Why does it matter?
Explain how it affected your learning, wellbeing, or experience.
Suggestion
What could improve it?
Share an idea or request for consideration, if you have one.
A Few Helpful Practices
- Share relevant details when possible, but do not delay asking for help if you do not have all the information.
- Separate unrelated issues when practical so each can reach the right office.
- Focus on your experience and observable circumstances; respectful language helps productive dialogue.
- For sensitive or urgent concerns, direct contact or an established university reporting channel may be more appropriate than an anonymous suggestion box.
Remember
Your feedback is most powerful when it helps us:
- Understand the student experience
- Identify patterns or gaps
- Take meaningful, informed action
Professional feedback doesn’t just raise concerns…it helps build solutions.
Your perspective matters, including when you are frustrated or unsure how to describe an experience. Student Services can help clarify the concern and identify next steps.
When Feedback Is Harder to Act On
Venting & Emotionally Charged Language
Expressing frustration is understandable, especially in a demanding program. However, comments directed at individuals or phrased in a sarcastic or unclear way can make it difficult to identify the underlying issue or determine how best to respond. Clear, respectful communication helps ensure your concern is understood and addressed.
Multiple Unrelated Concerns in One Submission
Combining several unrelated issues into a single comment can make it challenging to route, track, and respond effectively. When possible, consider submitting each concern separately so it can be directed to the appropriate individuals and addressed more thoroughly.
Written Communication Can Be Challenging
It is often more difficult to fully convey intent, tone, and nuance in writing than in a conversation. When possible, providing specific details and context can help reduce misinterpretation. For more complex or sensitive concerns, direct conversation (in person or virtual) may lead to clearer understanding and more effective resolution.
Examples
Below are examples to help guide how to communicate concerns in a way that leads to action.
1. Academic Concern (Course Structure)
Unhelpful Feedback
“This class is disorganized and confusing. The instructor doesn’t know what they are talking about!”
Constructive & Professional Feedback
“I’m finding it difficult to follow the structure of VMXXXX, particularly how lecture topics align with assessments. It would be helpful to have a weekly outline or roadmap showing how content connects to upcoming exams. In the last lecture, the faculty member spent most of our time talking about their personal research which did not align with the topic or subject matter for the course.”
Why this works:
- Identifies the issue clearly
- Provides context
- Suggests a reasonable improvement
2. Assessment / Exam Experience
Unhelpful Feedback
“That exam was unfair.”
Constructive & Professional Feedback
“Several questions on the recent exam covered material that wasn’t emphasized in lectures or assigned resources. Could we review how exam content is aligned with learning objectives to ensure consistency moving forward?”
Why this works:
- Focuses on alignment, not emotion
- Uses neutral, professional tone
- Invites review rather than assigning blame
3. Student Wellbeing / Workload
Unhelpful Feedback
“There’s way too much work. It’s overwhelming.”
Constructive & Professional Feedback
“During the past two weeks, multiple major assignments and exams were scheduled within a short timeframe, which has been challenging to manage. Is there a way to coordinate assessment timing across courses to better distribute workload?”
Why this works:
- Provides a specific timeframe
- Identifies a pattern
- Suggests a systems-level solution
4. Facilities / Resources
Unhelpful Feedback
“The study space is bad.”
Constructive & Professional Feedback
“The student lounge can become crowded and noisy during peak study times, which makes it difficult to focus. Are there opportunities to designate additional quiet study spaces during exam periods?”
Why this works:
- Describes the issue clearly
- Explains the impact
- Offers a practical suggestion