National Survey of Student Engagement 2020 (PDAD&C #31)

From: Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students
Susan McCahan, Vice-Provost, Academic Programs & Innovations in Undergraduate Education
Date: January 9, 2020
Re: National Survey of Student Engagement 2020 (PDAD&C #31)

In the coming weeks, the University of Toronto, along with all Ontario universities and Canadian peer institutions, will participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). We are writing to request your cooperation in ensuring we secure the highest response rates possible for this important institutional survey of undergraduate students. 

NSSE begins February 11, 2020 and will invite all first year and all senior year undergraduates to participate from the following Faculties:

  • Arts & Science
  • Architecture, Landscape & Design
  • Music
  • Kinesiology & Physical Education
  • Applied Science and Engineering
  • University of Toronto Mississauga
  • University of Toronto Scarborough

All senior year students in the Faculty of Nursing will also be invited to participate.

To ensure we do not violate protocols for NSSE and/or bias the response rates, messaging and promotion for this survey will be coordinated institutionally by David Newman, Executive Director, Student Experience in cooperation with your registrars, student affairs staff and communications staff. Posters, digital signage, PowerPoint slides for classes, and social media tools will be made available for everyone to use and will be circulated at the end of the month. This year, we are also planning on seeking student engagement through Quercus to improve response rates. As NSSE provides us with important metrics for the University, we are asking that you encourage your faculty and staff to promote this survey widely.

Survey fatigue can significantly and negatively affect response rates. For this reason, we ask that you refrain from conducting surveys of first and fourth year undergraduate students between February 8 and March 29.  If there is a need to survey this group of undergraduates or if you have any questions about NSSE, please contact David Newman at david.newman@utoronto.ca.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.