diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/analytics.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/analytics.coffee
index e586a2400a..b4deb93f8a 100644
--- a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/analytics.coffee
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/analytics.coffee
@@ -1,17 +1,15 @@
-log = -> console.log.apply console, arguments
-plantTimeout = (ms, cb) -> setTimeout cb, ms
-
-std_ajax_err = (handler) -> (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) ->
-  console.warn """ajax error
-                  textStatus: #{textStatus}
-                  errorThrown: #{errorThrown}"""
-  handler.apply this, arguments
+# Analytics Section
 
+# imports from other modules.
+# wrap in (-> ... apply) to defer evaluation
+# such that the value can be defined later than this assignment (file load order).
+plantTimeout = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.plantTimeout.apply this, arguments
+std_ajax_err = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.std_ajax_err.apply this, arguments
 
+# Analytics Section
 class Analytics
   constructor: (@$section) ->
-    log "setting up instructor dashboard section - analytics"
-
+    # gather elements
     @$display                = @$section.find '.distribution-display'
     @$display_text           = @$display.find '.distribution-display-text'
     @$display_graph          = @$display.find '.distribution-display-graph'
@@ -21,20 +19,23 @@ class Analytics
 
     @populate_selector => @$distribution_select.change => @on_selector_change()
 
-
   reset_display: ->
       @$display_text.empty()
       @$display_graph.empty()
       @$display_table.empty()
       @$request_response_error.empty()
 
-
+  # fetch and list available distributions
+  # `cb` is a callback to be run after
   populate_selector: (cb) ->
     @get_profile_distributions [],
+      # on error, print to console and dom.
       error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error.text "Error getting available distributions."
       success: (data) =>
+        # replace loading text in drop-down with "-- Select Distribution --"
         @$distribution_select.find('option').eq(0).text "-- Select Distribution --"
 
+        # add all fetched available features to drop-down
         for feature in data.available_features
           opt = $ '<option/>',
             text: data.display_names[feature]
@@ -43,14 +44,13 @@ class Analytics
 
           @$distribution_select.append opt
 
+        # call callback if one was supplied
         cb?()
 
-
+  # display data
   on_selector_change: ->
-    # log 'changeargs', arguments
     opt = @$distribution_select.children('option:selected')
     feature = opt.data 'feature'
-    log "distribution selected: #{feature}"
 
     @reset_display()
     return unless feature
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class Analytics
           @$display_text.text 'Error fetching data'
         else
           if feature_res.type is 'EASY_CHOICE'
-            # setup SlickGrid
+            # display on SlickGrid
             options =
               enableCellNavigation: true
               enableColumnReorder: false
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ class Analytics
             table_placeholder = $ '<div/>', class: 'slickgrid'
             @$display_table.append table_placeholder
             grid = new Slick.Grid(table_placeholder, grid_data, columns, options)
-            # grid.autosizeColumns()
           else if feature is 'year_of_birth'
             graph_placeholder = $ '<div/>', class: 'year-of-birth'
             @$display_graph.append graph_placeholder
@@ -104,7 +103,9 @@ class Analytics
             @$display_text.text 'Unavailable Metric\n' + JSON.stringify(feature_res)
 
 
-  # handler can be either a callback for success or a mapping e.g. {success: ->, error: ->, complete: ->}
+  # fetch distribution data from server.
+  # `handler` can be either a callback for success
+  # or a mapping e.g. {success: ->, error: ->, complete: ->}
   get_profile_distributions: (featurelist, handler) ->
     settings =
       dataType: 'json'
@@ -119,7 +120,9 @@ class Analytics
     $.ajax settings
 
 
-# exports
+# export for use
+# create parent namespaces if they do not already exist.
+# abort if underscore can not be found.
 if _?
   _.defaults window, InstructorDashboard: {}
   _.defaults window.InstructorDashboard, sections: {}
diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/course_info.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/course_info.coffee
index 9eecc48499..d48c7ba873 100644
--- a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/course_info.coffee
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/course_info.coffee
@@ -1,21 +1,32 @@
-log = -> console.log.apply console, arguments
-plantTimeout = (ms, cb) -> setTimeout cb, ms
+# Course Info Section
+# This is the implementation of the simplest section
+# of the instructor dashboard.
 
+# imports from other modules.
+# wrap in (-> ... apply) to defer evaluation
+# such that the value can be defined later than this assignment (file load order).
+plantTimeout = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.plantTimeout.apply this, arguments
+std_ajax_err = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.std_ajax_err.apply this, arguments
+
+# A typical section object.
+# constructed with $section, a jquery object
+# which holds the section body container.
 class CourseInfo
   constructor: (@$section) ->
-    log "setting up instructor dashboard section - course info"
-    @$section.data 'wrapper', @
-
     @$course_errors_wrapper = @$section.find '.course-errors-wrapper'
 
+    # if there are errors
     if @$course_errors_wrapper.length
-      @$course_error_toggle = @$course_errors_wrapper.find('.toggle-wrapper').eq(0)
-      @$course_error_toggle_text = @$course_error_toggle.find('h2').eq(0)
+      @$course_error_toggle = @$course_errors_wrapper.find '.toggle-wrapper'
+      @$course_error_toggle_text = @$course_error_toggle.find 'h2'
       @$course_error_visibility_wrapper = @$course_errors_wrapper.find '.course-errors-visibility-wrapper'
-      @$course_errors = @$course_errors_wrapper.find('.course-error')
+      @$course_errors = @$course_errors_wrapper.find '.course-error'
 
+      # append "(34)" to the course errors label
       @$course_error_toggle_text.text @$course_error_toggle_text.text() + " (#{@$course_errors.length})"
 
+      # toggle .open class on errors
+      # to show and hide them.
       @$course_error_toggle.click (e) =>
         e.preventDefault()
         if @$course_errors_wrapper.hasClass 'open'
@@ -24,7 +35,9 @@ class CourseInfo
           @$course_errors_wrapper.addClass 'open'
 
 
-# exports
+# export for use
+# create parent namespaces if they do not already exist.
+# abort if underscore can not be found.
 if _?
   _.defaults window, InstructorDashboard: {}
   _.defaults window.InstructorDashboard, sections: {}
diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/data_download.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/data_download.coffee
index 6dbd91c66e..cfd3534e04 100644
--- a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/data_download.coffee
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/data_download.coffee
@@ -1,32 +1,40 @@
-log = -> console.log.apply console, arguments
-plantTimeout = (ms, cb) -> setTimeout cb, ms
+# Data Download Section
 
-std_ajax_err = (handler) -> (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) ->
-  console.warn """ajax error
-                  textStatus: #{textStatus}
-                  errorThrown: #{errorThrown}"""
-  handler.apply this, arguments
+# imports from other modules.
+# wrap in (-> ... apply) to defer evaluation
+# such that the value can be defined later than this assignment (file load order).
+plantTimeout = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.plantTimeout.apply this, arguments
+std_ajax_err = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.std_ajax_err.apply this, arguments
 
 
+# Data Download Section
 class DataDownload
   constructor: (@$section) ->
-    log "setting up instructor dashboard section - data download"
-
+    # gather elements
     @$display                = @$section.find '.data-display'
     @$display_text           = @$display.find '.data-display-text'
     @$display_table          = @$display.find '.data-display-table'
     @$request_response_error = @$display.find '.request-response-error'
+    @$list_studs_btn = @$section.find("input[name='list-profiles']'")
+    @$grade_config_btn = @$section.find("input[name='dump-gradeconf']'")
 
-    $list_studs_btn = @$section.find("input[name='list-profiles']'")
-    $list_studs_btn.click (e) =>
-      log "fetching student list"
-      url = $list_studs_btn.data('endpoint')
+    # attach click handlers
+
+    # this handler binds to both the download
+    # and the csv button
+    @$list_studs_btn.click (e) =>
+      url = @$list_studs_btn.data 'endpoint'
+
+      # handle csv special case
       if $(e.target).data 'csv'
+        # redirect the document to the csv file.
         url += '/csv'
         location.href = url
       else
         @clear_display()
         @$display_table.text 'Loading...'
+
+        # fetch user list
         $.ajax
           dataType: 'json'
           url: url
@@ -36,7 +44,7 @@ class DataDownload
           success: (data) =>
             @clear_display()
 
-            # setup SlickGrid
+            # display on a SlickGrid
             options =
               enableCellNavigation: true
               enableColumnReorder: false
@@ -50,10 +58,9 @@ class DataDownload
             grid = new Slick.Grid($table_placeholder, grid_data, columns, options)
             # grid.autosizeColumns()
 
-    $grade_config_btn = @$section.find("input[name='dump-gradeconf']'")
-    $grade_config_btn.click (e) =>
-      log "fetching grading config"
-      url = $grade_config_btn.data('endpoint')
+    @$grade_config_btn.click (e) =>
+      url = @$grade_config_btn.data 'endpoint'
+      # display html from grading config endpoint
       $.ajax
         dataType: 'json'
         url: url
@@ -71,7 +78,9 @@ class DataDownload
     @$request_response_error.empty()
 
 
-# exports
+# export for use
+# create parent namespaces if they do not already exist.
+# abort if underscore can not be found.
 if _?
   _.defaults window, InstructorDashboard: {}
   _.defaults window.InstructorDashboard, sections: {}
diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/instructor_dashboard.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/instructor_dashboard.coffee
index 705bf630d7..1deaccb092 100644
--- a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/instructor_dashboard.coffee
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/instructor_dashboard.coffee
@@ -1,70 +1,83 @@
 # Instructor Dashboard Tab Manager
+# The instructor dashboard is broken into sections.
+# Only one section is visible at a time,
+#   and is responsible for its own functionality.
+#
+# NOTE: plantTimeout (which is just setTimeout from util.coffee)
+#       is used frequently in the instructor dashboard to isolate
+#       failures. If one piece of code under a plantTimeout fails
+#       then it will not crash the rest of the dashboard.
+#
+# NOTE: The instructor dashboard currently does not
+#       use backbone. Just lots of jquery. This should be fixed.
+#
+# NOTE: Server endpoints in the dashboard are stored in
+#       the 'data-endpoint' attribute of relevant html elements.
+#       The urls are rendered there by a template.
+#
+# NOTE: For an example of what a section object should look like
+#       see course_info.coffee
 
-log = -> console.log.apply console, arguments
-plantTimeout = (ms, cb) -> setTimeout cb, ms
-
-
-# # intercepts a jquery method
-# # calls the original method after callback
-# intercept_jquery_method = (method_name, callback) ->
-#   original = jQuery.fn[method_name]
-#   jQuery.fn[method_name] = ->
-#     callback.apply this, arguments
-#     original.apply this, arguments
-
-
-# intercept_jquery_method 'on', (event_name) ->
-#   this.addClass "has-event-handler-for-#{event_name}"
-
+# imports from other modules
+# wrap in (-> ... apply) to defer evaluation
+# such that the value can be defined later than this assignment (file load order).
+plantTimeout = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.plantTimeout.apply this, arguments
+std_ajax_err = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.std_ajax_err.apply this, arguments
 
+# CSS classes
 CSS_INSTRUCTOR_CONTENT = 'instructor-dashboard-content-2'
 CSS_ACTIVE_SECTION = 'active-section'
 CSS_IDASH_SECTION = 'idash-section'
 CSS_INSTRUCTOR_NAV = 'instructor-nav'
 
+# prefix for deep-linking
 HASH_LINK_PREFIX = '#view-'
 
-
-# once we're ready, check if this page has the instructor dashboard
+# once we're ready, check if this page is the instructor dashboard
 $ =>
   instructor_dashboard_content = $ ".#{CSS_INSTRUCTOR_CONTENT}"
-  if instructor_dashboard_content.length != 0
-    log "setting up instructor dashboard"
+  console.log 'checking if we are on the instructor dashboard'
+  if instructor_dashboard_content.length > 0
+    console.log 'we are on the instructor dashboard'
     setup_instructor_dashboard          instructor_dashboard_content
     setup_instructor_dashboard_sections instructor_dashboard_content
 
 
-# enable links
+# enable navigation bar
+# handles hiding and showing sections
 setup_instructor_dashboard = (idash_content) =>
+  # clickable section titles
   links = idash_content.find(".#{CSS_INSTRUCTOR_NAV}").find('a')
-  # setup section header click handlers
+
   for link in ($ link for link in links)
     link.click (e) ->
       e.preventDefault()
-      # deactivate (styling) all sections
-      idash_content.find(".#{CSS_IDASH_SECTION}").removeClass CSS_ACTIVE_SECTION
-      idash_content.find(".#{CSS_INSTRUCTOR_NAV}").children().removeClass CSS_ACTIVE_SECTION
 
-      # find paired section
+      # deactivate all link & section styles
+      idash_content.find(".#{CSS_INSTRUCTOR_NAV}").children().removeClass CSS_ACTIVE_SECTION
+      idash_content.find(".#{CSS_IDASH_SECTION}").removeClass CSS_ACTIVE_SECTION
+
+      # discover section paired to link
       section_name = $(this).data 'section'
       section = idash_content.find "##{section_name}"
 
-      # activate (styling) active
-      section.addClass CSS_ACTIVE_SECTION
+      # activate link & section styling
       $(this).addClass CSS_ACTIVE_SECTION
+      section.addClass CSS_ACTIVE_SECTION
 
       # tracking
       # analytics.pageview "instructor_#{section_name}"
 
-      # write deep link
+      # deep linking
+      # write to url
       location.hash = "#{HASH_LINK_PREFIX}#{section_name}"
 
-      log "clicked section #{section_name}"
       plantTimeout 0, -> section.data('wrapper')?.onClickTitle?()
       # plantTimeout 0, -> section.data('wrapper')?.onExit?()
 
-  # recover deep link from url
-  # click default or go to section specified by hash
+
+  # activate an initial section by programmatically clicking on it.
+  # check for a deep-link, or click the first link.
   if (new RegExp "^#{HASH_LINK_PREFIX}").test location.hash
     rmatch = (new RegExp "^#{HASH_LINK_PREFIX}(.*)").exec location.hash
     section_name = rmatch[1]
@@ -78,11 +91,10 @@ setup_instructor_dashboard = (idash_content) =>
 
 
 
-# call setup handlers for each section
+# enable sections
 setup_instructor_dashboard_sections = (idash_content) ->
-  log "setting up instructor dashboard sections"
-  # fault isolation
-  # an error thrown in one section will not block other sections from exectuing
+  # see fault isolation NOTE at top of file.
+  # an error thrown in one section will not block other sections from exectuing.
   plantTimeout 0, -> new window.InstructorDashboard.sections.CourseInfo   idash_content.find ".#{CSS_IDASH_SECTION}#course_info"
   plantTimeout 0, -> new window.InstructorDashboard.sections.DataDownload idash_content.find ".#{CSS_IDASH_SECTION}#data_download"
   plantTimeout 0, -> new window.InstructorDashboard.sections.Membership   idash_content.find ".#{CSS_IDASH_SECTION}#membership"
diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/membership.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/membership.coffee
index 9b01262b85..e1e68d739e 100644
--- a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/membership.coffee
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/membership.coffee
@@ -1,191 +1,200 @@
-log = -> console.log.apply console, arguments
-plantTimeout = (ms, cb) -> setTimeout cb, ms
+# Membership Section
 
-std_ajax_err = (handler) -> (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) ->
-  console.warn """ajax error
-                  textStatus: #{textStatus}
-                  errorThrown: #{errorThrown}"""
-  handler.apply this, arguments
+# imports from other modules.
+# wrap in (-> ... apply) to defer evaluation
+# such that the value can be defined later than this assignment (file load order).
+plantTimeout = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.plantTimeout.apply this, arguments
+std_ajax_err = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.std_ajax_err.apply this, arguments
 
 
+# Wrapper for the batch enrollment subsection.
+# This object handles buttons, success and failure reporting,
+# and server communication.
 class BatchEnrollment
   constructor: (@$container) ->
-    log "setting up instructor dashboard subsection - batch enrollment"
+    # gather elements
+    @$emails_input           = @$container.find("textarea[name='student-emails']'")
+    @$btn_enroll             = @$container.find("input[name='enroll']'")
+    @$btn_unenroll           = @$container.find("input[name='unenroll']'")
+    @$checkbox_autoenroll    = @$container.find("input[name='auto-enroll']'")
+    @$task_response          = @$container.find(".request-response")
+    @$request_response_error = @$container.find(".request-response-error")
 
-    $emails_input           = @$container.find("textarea[name='student-emails']'")
-    $btn_enroll             = @$container.find("input[name='enroll']'")
-    $btn_unenroll           = @$container.find("input[name='unenroll']'")
-    $checkbox_autoenroll    = @$container.find("input[name='auto-enroll']'")
-    $task_response          = @$container.find(".request-response")
-    $request_response_error = @$container.find(".request-response-error")
+    # attach click handlers
 
-    $emails_input.click -> log 'click $emails_input'
-    $btn_enroll.click -> log 'click $btn_enroll'
-    $btn_unenroll.click -> log 'click $btn_unenroll'
-
-    $btn_enroll.click ->
+    @$btn_enroll.click =>
       send_data =
         action: 'enroll'
-        emails: $emails_input.val()
-        auto_enroll: $checkbox_autoenroll.is(':checked')
+        emails: @$emails_input.val()
+        auto_enroll: @$checkbox_autoenroll.is(':checked')
 
       $.ajax
         dataType: 'json'
-        url: $btn_enroll.data 'endpoint'
+        url: @$btn_enroll.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
-        success: (data) -> display_response(data)
-        error: std_ajax_err -> fail_with_error "Error enrolling/unenrolling students."
+        success: (data) => @display_response data
+        error: std_ajax_err => @fail_with_error "Error enrolling/unenrolling students."
 
-    $btn_unenroll.click ->
+    @$btn_unenroll.click =>
       send_data =
         action: 'unenroll'
-        emails: $emails_input.val()
-        auto_enroll: $checkbox_autoenroll.is(':checked')
+        emails: @$emails_input.val()
+        auto_enroll: @$checkbox_autoenroll.is(':checked')
 
       $.ajax
         dataType: 'json'
-        url: $btn_unenroll.data 'endpoint'
+        url: @$btn_unenroll.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
-        success: (data) -> display_response(data)
-        error: std_ajax_err -> fail_with_error "Error enrolling/unenrolling students."
+        success: (data) => @display_response data
+        error: std_ajax_err => @fail_with_error "Error enrolling/unenrolling students."
 
 
-    fail_with_error = (msg) ->
-      console.warn msg
-      $task_response.empty()
-      $request_response_error.empty()
-      $request_response_error.text msg
+  fail_with_error: (msg) ->
+    console.warn msg
+    @$task_response.empty()
+    @$request_response_error.empty()
+    @$request_response_error.text msg
 
-    display_response = (data_from_server) ->
-      $task_response.empty()
-      $request_response_error.empty()
+  display_response: (data_from_server) ->
+    @$task_response.empty()
+    @$request_response_error.empty()
 
-      # these results arrays contain student_results
-      # only populated arrays will be rendered
+    # these results arrays contain student_results
+    # only populated arrays will be rendered
+    #
+    # students for which there was an error during the action
+    errors = []
+    # students who are now enrolled in the course
+    enrolled = []
+    # students who are now allowed to enroll in the course
+    allowed = []
+    # students who will be autoenrolled on registration
+    autoenrolled = []
+    # students who are now not enrolled in the course
+    notenrolled = []
+
+    # categorize student results into the above arrays.
+    for student_results in data_from_server.results
+      # for a successful action.
+      # student_results is of the form {
+      #   "email": "jd405@edx.org",
+      #   "before": {
+      #     "enrollment": true,
+      #     "auto_enroll": false,
+      #     "user": true,
+      #     "allowed": false
+      #   }
+      #   "after": {
+      #     "enrollment": true,
+      #     "auto_enroll": false,
+      #     "user": true,
+      #     "allowed": false
+      #   },
+      # }
       #
-      # students for which there was an error during the action
-      errors = []
-      # students who are now enrolled in the course
-      enrolled = []
-      # students who are now allowed to enroll in the course
-      allowed = []
-      # students who will be autoenrolled on registration
-      autoenrolled = []
-      # students who are now not enrolled in the course
-      notenrolled = []
+      # for an action error.
+      # student_results is of the form {
+      #   'email': email,
+      #   'error': True,
+      # }
 
-      # categorize student results into the above arrays.
-      for student_results in data_from_server.results
-        # for a successful action.
-        # student_results is of the form {
-        #   "email": "jd405@edx.org",
-        #   "before": {
-        #     "enrollment": true,
-        #     "auto_enroll": false,
-        #     "user": true,
-        #     "allowed": false
-        #   }
-        #   "after": {
-        #     "enrollment": true,
-        #     "auto_enroll": false,
-        #     "user": true,
-        #     "allowed": false
-        #   },
-        # }
-        #
-        # for an action error.
-        # student_results is of the form {
-        #   'email': email,
-        #   'error': True,
-        # }
-
-        if student_results.error != undefined
-          errors.push student_results
-        else if student_results.after.enrollment
-          enrolled.push student_results
-        else if student_results.after.allowed
-          if student_results.after.auto_enroll
-            autoenrolled.push student_results
-          else
-            allowed.push student_results
-        else if not student_results.after.enrollment
-          notenrolled.push student_results
+      if student_results.error
+        errors.push student_results
+      else if student_results.after.enrollment
+        enrolled.push student_results
+      else if student_results.after.allowed
+        if student_results.after.auto_enroll
+          autoenrolled.push student_results
         else
-          console.warn 'student results not reported to user'
-          console.warn student_results
+          allowed.push student_results
+      else if not student_results.after.enrollment
+        notenrolled.push student_results
+      else
+        console.warn 'student results not reported to user'
+        console.warn student_results
 
-      # render populated result arrays
-      render_list = (label, emails) ->
-        log emails
-        task_res_section = $ '<div/>', class: 'request-res-section'
-        task_res_section.append $ '<h3/>', text: label
-        email_list = $ '<ul/>'
-        task_res_section.append email_list
+    # render populated result arrays
+    render_list = (label, emails) =>
+      task_res_section = $ '<div/>', class: 'request-res-section'
+      task_res_section.append $ '<h3/>', text: label
+      email_list = $ '<ul/>'
+      task_res_section.append email_list
 
-        for email in emails
-          email_list.append $ '<li/>', text: email
+      for email in emails
+        email_list.append $ '<li/>', text: email
 
-        $task_response.append task_res_section
+      @$task_response.append task_res_section
 
-      if errors.length
-        errors_label = do ->
-          if data_from_server.action is 'enroll'
-            "There was an error enrolling:"
-          else if data_from_server.action is 'unenroll'
-            "There was an error unenrolling:"
-          else
-            console.warn "unknown action from server '#{data_from_server.action}'"
-            "There was an error processing:"
+    if errors.length
+      errors_label = do ->
+        if data_from_server.action is 'enroll'
+          "There was an error enrolling:"
+        else if data_from_server.action is 'unenroll'
+          "There was an error unenrolling:"
+        else
+          console.warn "unknown action from server '#{data_from_server.action}'"
+          "There was an error processing:"
 
-        for student_results in errors
-          console.log 'error with': student_results.email
+      for student_results in errors
+        render_list errors_label, (sr.email for sr in errors)
 
-      if enrolled.length
-        render_list "Students Enrolled:", (sr.email for sr in enrolled)
+    if enrolled.length
+      render_list "Students Enrolled:", (sr.email for sr in enrolled)
 
-      if allowed.length
-        render_list "These students will be allowed to enroll once they register:",
-          (sr.email for sr in allowed)
+    if allowed.length
+      render_list "These students will be allowed to enroll once they register:",
+        (sr.email for sr in allowed)
 
-      if autoenrolled.length
-        render_list "These students will be enrolled once they register:",
-          (sr.email for sr in autoenrolled)
+    if autoenrolled.length
+      render_list "These students will be enrolled once they register:",
+        (sr.email for sr in autoenrolled)
 
-      if notenrolled.length
-        render_list "These students are now not enrolled:",
-          (sr.email for sr in notenrolled)
+    if notenrolled.length
+      render_list "These students are now not enrolled:",
+        (sr.email for sr in notenrolled)
 
 
-# manages a list of instructors or staff and the control of their access.
+# Wrapper for auth list subsection.
+# manages a list of users who have special access.
+# these could be instructors, staff, beta users, or forum roles.
+# uses slickgrid to display list.
 class AuthList
-  # rolename is in ['instructor', 'staff'] for instructor_staff endpoints
+  # rolename is one of ['instructor', 'staff'] for instructor_staff endpoints
   # rolename is the name of Role for forums for the forum endpoints
   constructor: (@$container, @rolename) ->
-    log "setting up instructor dashboard subsection - authlist management for #{@rolename}"
-
+    # gather elements
     @$display_table          = @$container.find('.auth-list-table')
     @$request_response_error = @$container.find('.request-response-error')
     @$add_section            = @$container.find('.auth-list-add')
     @$allow_field             = @$add_section.find("input[name='email']")
     @$allow_button            = @$add_section.find("input[name='allow']")
 
+    # attach click handler
     @$allow_button.click =>
-      @access_change @$allow_field.val(), @rolename, 'allow', => @reload_auth_list()
+      @access_change @$allow_field.val(), 'allow', => @reload_auth_list()
       @$allow_field.val ''
 
     @reload_auth_list()
 
+  # fetch and display list of users who match criteria
   reload_auth_list: ->
+    # helper function to display server data in the list
     load_auth_list = (data) =>
+      # clear existing data
       @$request_response_error.empty()
       @$display_table.empty()
 
+      # setup slickgrid
       options =
         enableCellNavigation: true
         enableColumnReorder: false
         # autoHeight: true
         forceFitColumns: true
 
+      # this is a hack to put a button/link in a slick grid cell
+      # if you change columns, then you must update
+      # WHICH_CELL_IS_REVOKE to have the index
+      # of the revoke column (left to right).
       WHICH_CELL_IS_REVOKE = 3
       columns = [
         id: 'username'
@@ -216,13 +225,15 @@ class AuthList
       $table_placeholder = $ '<div/>', class: 'slickgrid'
       @$display_table.append $table_placeholder
       grid = new Slick.Grid($table_placeholder, table_data, columns, options)
-      # grid.autosizeColumns()
 
+      # click handler part of the revoke button/link hack.
       grid.onClick.subscribe (e, args) =>
         item = args.grid.getDataItem(args.row)
         if args.cell is WHICH_CELL_IS_REVOKE
-          @access_change item.email, @rolename, 'revoke', => @reload_auth_list()
+          @access_change item.email, 'revoke', => @reload_auth_list()
 
+    # fetch data from the endpoint
+    # the endpoint comes from data-endpoint of the table
     $.ajax
       dataType: 'json'
       url: @$display_table.data 'endpoint'
@@ -231,33 +242,45 @@ class AuthList
       error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error.text "Error fetching list for '#{@rolename}'"
 
 
-  # slickgrid collapses when rendered in an invisible div
-  # use this method to reload the widget
+  # slickgrid's layout collapses when rendered
+  # in an invisible div. use this method to reload
+  # the AuthList widget
   refresh: ->
     @$display_table.empty()
     @reload_auth_list()
 
-  access_change: (email, rolename, mode, cb) ->
+  # update the access of a user.
+  # (add or remove them from the list)
+  # mode should be one of ['allow', 'revoke']
+  access_change: (email, mode, cb) ->
     $.ajax
       dataType: 'json'
       url: @$add_section.data 'endpoint'
       data:
         email: email
-        rolename: rolename
+        rolename: @rolename
         mode: mode
       success: (data) -> cb?(data)
       error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error.text "Error changing user's permissions."
 
 
+# Membership Section
 class Membership
+  # enable subsections.
   constructor: (@$section) ->
-    log "setting up instructor dashboard section - membership"
+    # attach self to html
+    # so that instructor_dashboard.coffee can find this object
+    # to call event handlers like 'onClickTitle'
     @$section.data 'wrapper', @
 
+    # isolate # initialize BatchEnrollment subsection
+    plantTimeout 0, => new BatchEnrollment @$section.find '.batch-enrollment'
+
+    # gather elements
     @$list_selector = @$section.find('select#member-lists-selector')
 
-    plantTimeout 0, => @batchenrollment = new BatchEnrollment @$section.find '.batch-enrollment'
-
+    # initialize & store AuthList subsections
+    # one for each .auth-list-container in the section.
     @auth_lists = _.map (@$section.find '.auth-list-container'), (auth_list_container) ->
       rolename = $(auth_list_container).data 'rolename'
       new AuthList $(auth_list_container), rolename
@@ -279,15 +302,19 @@ class Membership
       auth_list.refresh()
       auth_list.$container.addClass 'active'
 
+    # one-time first selection of top list.
     @$list_selector.change()
 
 
+  # handler for when the section title is clicked.
   onClickTitle: ->
     for auth_list in @auth_lists
       auth_list.refresh()
 
 
-# exports
+# export for use
+# create parent namespaces if they do not already exist.
+# abort if underscore can not be found.
 if _?
   _.defaults window, InstructorDashboard: {}
   _.defaults window.InstructorDashboard, sections: {}
diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/student_admin.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/student_admin.coffee
index d3a7d308b1..1c1e42cdfa 100644
--- a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/student_admin.coffee
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/student_admin.coffee
@@ -1,13 +1,11 @@
-log = -> console.log.apply console, arguments
-plantTimeout = (ms, cb) -> setTimeout cb, ms
-plantInterval = (ms, cb) -> setInterval cb, ms
+# Student Admin Section
 
-
-std_ajax_err = (handler) -> (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) ->
-  console.warn """ajax error
-                  textStatus: #{textStatus}
-                  errorThrown: #{errorThrown}"""
-  handler.apply this, arguments
+# imports from other modules.
+# wrap in (-> ... apply) to defer evaluation
+# such that the value can be defined later than this assignment (file load order).
+plantTimeout = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.plantTimeout.apply this, arguments
+plantInterval = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.plantInterval.apply this, arguments
+std_ajax_err = -> window.InstructorDashboard.util.std_ajax_err.apply this, arguments
 
 # get jquery element and assert its existance
 find_and_assert = ($root, selector) ->
@@ -18,6 +16,9 @@ find_and_assert = ($root, selector) ->
   else
     item
 
+# render a task list table to the DOM
+# `$table_tasks` the $element in which to put the table
+# `tasks_data`
 create_task_list_table = ($table_tasks, tasks_data) ->
   $table_tasks.empty()
 
@@ -66,11 +67,11 @@ create_task_list_table = ($table_tasks, tasks_data) ->
 
 class StudentAdmin
   constructor: (@$section) ->
-    log "setting up instructor dashboard section - student admin"
     @$section.data 'wrapper', @
 
-    # collect buttons
+    # gather buttons
     # some buttons are optional because they can be flipped by the instructor task feature switch
+    # student-specific
     @$field_student_select        = find_and_assert @$section, "input[name='student-select']"
     @$progress_link               = find_and_assert @$section, "a.progress-link"
     @$btn_enroll                  = find_and_assert @$section, "input[name='enroll']"
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ class StudentAdmin
     @$btn_task_history_single     = @$section.find "input[name='task-history-single']"
     @$table_task_history_single   = @$section.find ".task-history-single-table"
 
-    # course-specific level buttons
+    # course-specific
     @$field_problem_select_all    = @$section.find "input[name='problem-select-all']"
     @$btn_reset_attempts_all      = @$section.find "input[name='reset-attempts-all']"
     @$btn_rescore_problem_all     = @$section.find "input[name='rescore-problem-all']"
@@ -90,12 +91,16 @@ class StudentAdmin
     @$table_task_history_all      = @$section.find ".task-history-all-table"
     @$table_running_tasks         = @$section.find ".running-tasks-table"
 
+    # response areas
     @$request_response_error_single = find_and_assert @$section, ".student-specific-container .request-response-error"
     @$request_response_error_all    = @$section.find ".course-specific-container .request-response-error"
 
+    # start polling for task list
     if @$table_running_tasks.length > 0
       @start_refresh_running_task_poll_loop()
 
+    # attach click handlers
+
     # go to student progress page
     @$progress_link.click (e) =>
       e.preventDefault()
@@ -106,7 +111,6 @@ class StudentAdmin
         url: @$progress_link.data 'endpoint'
         data: student_email: email
         success: @clear_errors_then (data) ->
-          log 'redirecting...'
           window.location = data.progress_url
         error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error getting student progress url for '#{email}'."
 
@@ -148,7 +152,7 @@ class StudentAdmin
         dataType: 'json'
         url: @$btn_reset_attempts_single.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
-        success: @clear_errors_then -> log 'problem attempts reset'
+        success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'problem attempts reset'
         error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error resetting problem attempts."
 
     # delete state for student on problem
@@ -162,7 +166,7 @@ class StudentAdmin
         dataType: 'json'
         url: @$btn_delete_state_single.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
-        success: @clear_errors_then -> log 'module state deleted'
+        success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'module state deleted'
         error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error deleting problem state."
 
     # start task to rescore problem for student
@@ -175,7 +179,7 @@ class StudentAdmin
         dataType: 'json'
         url: @$btn_rescore_problem_single.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
-        success: @clear_errors_then -> log 'started rescore problem task'
+        success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'started rescore problem task'
         error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error starting a task to rescore student's problem."
 
     # list task history for student+problem
@@ -207,7 +211,7 @@ class StudentAdmin
         dataType: 'json'
         url: @$btn_reset_attempts_all.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
-        success: @clear_errors_then -> log 'started reset attempts task'
+        success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'started reset attempts task'
         error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_all.text "Error starting a task to reset attempts for all students on this problem."
 
     # start task to rescore problem for all students
@@ -220,7 +224,7 @@ class StudentAdmin
         dataType: 'json'
         url: @$btn_rescore_problem_all.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
-        success: @clear_errors_then -> log 'started rescore problem task'
+        success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'started rescore problem task'
         error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_all.text "Error starting a task to rescore this problem for all students."
 
     # list task history for problem
@@ -253,21 +257,27 @@ class StudentAdmin
     if @$section.hasClass 'active-section'
       plantTimeout 5000, => @start_refresh_running_task_poll_loop()
 
+  # wraps a function, but first clear the error displays
   clear_errors_then: (cb) ->
     @$request_response_error_single.empty()
     @$request_response_error_all.empty()
     ->
       cb?.apply this, arguments
 
+  # handler for when the section title is clicked.
   onClickTitle: ->
     if @$table_running_tasks.length > 0
       @start_refresh_running_task_poll_loop()
 
+  # handler for when the section is closed
+  # not working yet.
   # onExit: ->
   #   clearInterval @reload_running_task_list_slot
 
 
-# exports
+# export for use
+# create parent namespaces if they do not already exist.
+# abort if underscore can not be found.
 if _?
   _.defaults window, InstructorDashboard: {}
   _.defaults window.InstructorDashboard, sections: {}
diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/util.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/util.coffee
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b22410e8aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/util.coffee
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+# Common utilities for instructor dashboard components.
+
+# reverse arguments on common functions to enable
+# better coffeescript with callbacks at the end.
+plantTimeout = (ms, cb) -> setTimeout cb, ms
+plantInterval = (ms, cb) -> setInterval cb, ms
+
+# standard ajax error wrapper
+#
+# wraps a `handler` function so that first
+# it prints basic error information to the console.
+std_ajax_err = (handler) -> (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) ->
+  console.warn """ajax error
+                  textStatus: #{textStatus}
+                  errorThrown: #{errorThrown}"""
+  handler.apply this, arguments
+
+
+# export for use
+# create parent namespaces if they do not already exist.
+# abort if underscore can not be found.
+if _?
+  _.defaults window, InstructorDashboard: {}
+  window.InstructorDashboard.util =
+    plantTimeout: plantTimeout
+    plantInterval: plantInterval
+    std_ajax_err: std_ajax_err
diff --git a/lms/templates/courseware/instructor_dashboard_2/instructor_dashboard_2.html b/lms/templates/courseware/instructor_dashboard_2/instructor_dashboard_2.html
index 35ec6d1331..116f81b0e5 100644
--- a/lms/templates/courseware/instructor_dashboard_2/instructor_dashboard_2.html
+++ b/lms/templates/courseware/instructor_dashboard_2/instructor_dashboard_2.html
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 
   ## links which are tied to idash-sections below.
   ## the links are acativated and handled in instructor_dashboard.coffee
-  ## when the javascript loads, it clicks on idash-default-section
+  ## when the javascript loads, it clicks on the first section
   <h2 class="instructor-nav">
     % for section_data in sections:
       <a href="" data-section="${ section_data['section_key'] }">${ section_data['section_display_name'] }</a>