A new Web site called Pick A Prof will use information obtained directly from the university allowing students to more thoroughly research courses and instructors prior to registration.
The site, www.pickaprof.com, offers students access to the grades received, student reviews, available courses, a schedule planner and a new program called Study Buddy, which enables students to chat with other students in their classes. This site will create an alternative to the Teacher Course Evaluations that are distributed and compiled each semester. These evaluations are currently available on the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Web site, www.asua.arizona.edu.
"We are very excited to offer this new feature to our students" said Chris Chilek, Pick A Prof co-founder. "Regardless of what time it is or whether students are on campus, at home or in a local coffee shop, Study Buddy will give students the ability to directly interact."
With quick access to in-depth information, the emergence of Pick A Prof seems as if it could become a real highlight for students.
"I think this is a really cool idea," said Josh Greenberg, a communication freshman. "Being new on campus is really hard. It is kind of cool to have access to such in-depth information."
An issue common to both Pick A Prof and the ASUA evaluations is that not many students currently know about either service.
"Having this information available to everyone is a great idea. People just need to know about it," said Amanda Hepler, a fine arts junior.
During the upcoming evaluation period at the end of the semester, ASUA will be issuing 125,000 bookmarks in an effort to better increase knowledge of the existing campus-based program, said Alistair Chapman, ASUA president.
Pick A Prof representatives will speak with various campus organizations, advertise with campus media, send letters to incoming freshmen and pass out fliers during registration to better promote their site, said Karen Bragg, university relations director for Pick A Prof.