Overview
The Student Perceptions of Learning Survey (SPLS) collects feedback from students in all courses to (1) provide instructors, graduate teaching assistants, and teaching units with feedback on their instructional practices; (2) contribute to instructor retention, promotion, tenure, and salary decisions; and (3) provide students with information to guide decision-making related to course selection. SPL Surveys are administered online. The SPLS pilot phase began with courses ending on June 16, 2023 and continued through the end of the Summer 2023 Session. Effective Fall 2023, SPLS replaces the SIRS Online system. See the Important Onboarding Dates for colleges, departments, or schools that are planning to add up to 12 questions to the SPLS. The SPLS system will not retain historical SIRS data. Any SIRS data that has not already been downloaded and saved should be downloaded before September 30, 2023.
Click here to Access the SPLS System
Transition from SIRS to SPLS
The Student Perceptions of Learning Survey (SPLS) replaces the Student Instructional Rating System (SIRS) with approval of the Student Perceptions of Learning Environments Policy in 2023 by the University Committee on Undergraduate Education (UCUE), the University Committee on Graduate Studies (UCGS), and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. SPLS functions similarly to SIRS, with a few key differences:
- There are eight universal questions that are pre-populated and un-editable.
- Each college and/or department can add up to 12 additional questions if they so choose.
- Each instructor who is listed in the Student Information System - Campus Solutions, including graduate teaching assistants, will receive their individual SPLS results.
- Deans, Department Chairs, and School Directors will automatically receive the SPLS results for their respective unit. No access request is required.
The SPLS is administered through a holistic survey platform that offers advanced reporting capabilities and is managed by the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development.
How are instructors and students notified?
Students, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants are notified by email when SPLS forms are available. The notification period and the period during which the forms are open for completion depends on when the course starts and ends, based on dates in the Student Information System (Campus Solutions). SPLS will be closed for students when the window for grade submission opens.
SPLS Office Hours
Do you have general or specific questions about SPLS? Students, instructors, graduate teaching assistants, and administrators are welcome to join the SPLS office hours by Zoom on Tuesdays at 10:00am. A join link is sent to your MSU email after you complete the registration. Click here to get started: SPLS Office Hours.
