Summary of Recruitment Messages Types by Survey Mode
NSSE uses specific terminology to refer to different stages of communication in the survey administration cycle. Understanding the content of each message and the medium used to send it will help participating institutions understand the sequencing of messages and the extent of customization schools are able to do at each stage.
NOTE: Institutions can choose to send an optional Announcement letter that would precede the Invitation to Participate. Schools that choose this option would download a customizable template from our Institution Interface and then upload their finalized letter for review, but this letter would be sent by the institution to students in the sample, not by NSSE. The final reminder message will be dropped from the schedules described below for schools choosing this option to maintain the maximum of five direct recruitment contacts.
Paper Mode
Message |
Description |
Medium |
Invitation to Participate |
Full description of the survey, with the option for institutions to add customized text. |
Postal mail with a copy of the paper survey. |
Postcard |
Brief reminder about the survey. Non-customized. |
Sent via e-mail if adequate addresses are available, otherwise mailed. |
Follow-up |
Similar to the invitation message, but shorter, with the option for institutions to add customized text. |
Postal mail with a copy of the paper survey. |
Reminder #1 |
A short message with limited customization (subject line, signatory) by institutions. |
Sent via e-mail if adequate addresses are available, otherwise no contact. |
Reminder #2 |
A short message with limited customization (subject line, signatory) by institutions. |
Sent via e-mail if adequate addresses are available, otherwise no contact. |
Web-only Mode
Message |
Description |
Medium |
Invitation to Participate |
Full description of the survey, with the option for institutions to add customized text and change the subject line or signatory. |
|
Follow-up |
Similar to the invitation message, but shorter, with the option for institutions to add customized text and change the subject line or signatory. |
|
Reminder #1 |
A short message with limited customization (subject line, signatory) by institutions. |
|
Reminder #2 |
A short message with limited customization (subject line, signatory) by institutions. |
|
Reminder #3 |
A short message with limited customization (subject line, signatory) by institutions. |
Web+ Mode
Message |
Description |
Medium |
Invitation to Participate |
Full description of the survey, with the option for institutions to add customized text and change the subject line or signatory. |
|
Follow-up |
Similar to the invitation message, but shorter, with the option for institutions to add customized text and change the subject line or signatory. |
|
Reminder #1 |
A short message with limited customization (subject line, signatory) by institutions. |
|
Reminder #2 (standard) |
Sent to students not selected to receive the paper survey. A short message with limited customization (subject line, signatory) by institutions. |
|
Reminder #2 (Web+) |
Sent to students selected to receive the paper survey. The letter that accompanies this is generic, on NSSE letterhead. |
Postal mail with a copy of the paper survey. |
Reminder #3 |
A short message with limited customization (subject line, signatory) by institutions. |