Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE) Increasing the Response Rate: National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Student Employees: H. Chadare, C. Rivers, R. Sturgess, and A.K. Mohammed Supervisor: Asmeen Radee, IR Specialist Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE) Timeline What is NSSE? NSSE Marketing Campaign NSSE annually collects information at hundreds of four-year colleges and universities about student participation in activities and programs that promote their learning and personal development. NSSE has been in operation since 2000 and has been used at more than 1,500 colleges and universities in the US and Canada. The Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) collects data about entering college student’s high school academic and co- curricular experiences and their expectations for participating in educationally purposeful activities during the first year of college. The Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE) focuses on the instructors perception of how students engage in various activities, the value faculty places on student learning and development, and the frequency of student to faculty interaction. In the planning stage of the NSSE marketing campaign we decided the use of social and campus media advertising would be a very impactful way to create student awareness and increase student response rates. The following are some of the NSSE team’s big ideas : GSU TV Commercial The Phoenix Newspaper Ad GSU Social Media NSSE Posters and Flyers Food and Entertainment Chance to take the survey on-site What have we learned? NSSE 2014 vs. NSSE 2015 Working for the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at Governors State University has been an amazing opportunity and learning experience. Given the opportunity to work with a group of amazing and intelligent students and staff on the NSSE has altered the way I view changes within the university. Being allowed to create the marketing plan for the 2015 NSSE has offered real world first hand experience that I can take with me. -Cashauna Rivers, Office Assistant II, IRE While preparing for the NSSE I have learned that although creating incentives is a great way to increase participation rates in a survey, there are many logistics that have to be thought-out before making a concrete decision. Although incentives rely heavily on a school’s budget, they are also based on where, when, and how a specific gift or incentive will be distributed to a participant. -Hillary Chadare, Office Assistant II, IRE Who is eligible to take the NSSE and when is it available? First-Year Freshmen are eligible to take NSSE beginning February 2nd, 2016 and is available until June 1st, 2016. Graduating Seniors may to take NSSE during the time period set for First-Year Freshmen. As of this year students who complete the NSSE are automatically entered to win prizes. How do we improve student response rates? Emphasize the Importance of Student Participation: By underlining the importance of student participation through raising faculty awareness, meeting with the student senators, and infiltrating student clubs and organizations we will get the word out about the significance of NSSE at GSU using the voice of professors, student leaders, student organizations and peers. How do I find out more information about NSSE? Why we offer incentives? Incentives are used to boost or hold steady college surveys response rates. Since 2010 the use of incentives at NSSE institutions has increased from 35% in 2010 to 54% in 2014. Visit the NSSE website: www.Indiana.edu Governors State University students may also visit http://www.govst.edu/IR/