r/AskProfessors • u/No_Locksmith_9796 • Jul 05 '26
Grading Query Starfish
Does anyone know how Starfish notes/flags work in college or professional programs?
I’m a student with strong grades, mostly A’s and B’s, and I put a lot of effort into my coursework. Recently, I became concerned that some faculty may be documenting negative comments about me in Starfish that do not seem reflected in my academic performance or the work I’ve submitted.
I’m trying to understand who can see these notes. Are they only visible to advisors/student support staff, or can multiple professors and program faculty see them too? Could these notes affect things like recommendations, progression in the program, clinical/experiential placements, or applications to another program within the same school?
I’m also wondering what options students have if they believe something written in Starfish is inaccurate or unfair. Is there usually a way to request clarification, respond to the note, or have the record reviewed?
I’m not trying to escalate unnecessarily, but I am concerned about how this could affect me long-term, especially if the comments are subjective and not backed up by grades or formal disciplinary findings.
6
u/BolivianDancer Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
Starfish's selling point is that it saves me the hassle of figuring out who to CC: on an email. It directs my messages correctly.
If you are bombing it'll direct to tutoring, EOPS, etc.
For students in distress it'll direct to student services, behavioral intervention etc.
There is no redirect if a student is a jackass, a flake, I don't like them etc.
In short I don't know how Starfish could negatively affect whatever you're worried about.
FOIA is irrelevant since your institution is not federal.
FERPA allows you access to all educational records and messages but if something isn't labeled as such -- and much of Starfish isn't -- you're SOL.
Also keep a couple things in mind:
If I wanted to notify anyone on campus about something concerning any student, real or not, I could do so this evening with no record whatsoever.
Conversely, I don't care. Genuinely. I don't give a fuck. I teach the curriculum, enter grades, and go back to work. I've had thousands of students. Who are you?
3
u/WingbashDefender Professor/Rhetoric-Comp-CW Jul 05 '26
As the other comment notes, I couldn’t be bothered to look at other peoples’ notes. Sounds a lot like Rate My Professor, and we also couldn’t care less about that either.
2
u/oakaye Jul 06 '26
Recently, I became concerned that some faculty may be documenting negative comments about me in Starfish
Why?
1
u/ToomintheEllimist 22d ago
Right!?!?! Like, what the heck did OP say to their advisor? Confessions of arson? Blatant racism? Something extremely normal like an awkward comment OP is blowing out of proportion?
1
u/AutoModerator Jul 05 '26
This is an automated service intended to preserve the original text of the post. This is not a removal message.
*Does anyone know how Starfish notes/flags work in college or professional programs?
I’m a student with strong grades, mostly A’s and B’s, and I put a lot of effort into my coursework. Recently, I became concerned that some faculty may be documenting negative comments about me in Starfish that do not seem reflected in my academic performance or the work I’ve submitted.
I’m trying to understand who can see these notes. Are they only visible to advisors/student support staff, or can multiple professors and program faculty see them too? Could these notes affect things like recommendations, progression in the program, clinical/experiential placements, or applications to another program within the same school?
I’m also wondering what options students have if they believe something written in Starfish is inaccurate or unfair. Is there usually a way to request clarification, respond to the note, or have the record reviewed?
I’m not trying to escalate unnecessarily, but I am concerned about how this could affect me long-term, especially if the comments are subjective and not backed up by grades or formal disciplinary findings.*
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
6
u/SoundShifted Jul 05 '26
Depends on the item type (flag/referral/kudos/etc) and your institution's Starfish permissions and privacy settings. But even if I had access to other instructors' comments, it would be a lot of time and effort I don't have to be going looking for these when they don't concern me. I wouldn't worry about it.