What is the NSSE?
The National Survey of Student Engagement (nicknamed the Nessie) collects information about first-year and senior students' participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development. The results provide an estimate of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college.
What is the FSSE?
The Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE) was designed to complement the NSSE. Faculty, graduate students, and others with an instructional role will be asked to complete the survey. The survey focuses on perceptions of student engagement, the priorities of instructors in relation to student learning, the nature and frequency of instructor-student interactions, and how instructors organize their time in concert with other expectations of their role.
The survey didn’t come from an uah.edu email, is it real?
Both surveys are administered by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research on behalf of UAH. The student survey (NSSE) will be sent directly to UAH first-years and seniors from nsse@nssesurvey.org. The faculty survey (FSSE) will be sent directly to UAH instructional staff from FSSE Survey noreply@qualtrics-survey.com.
How will UAH use my responses?
Institutions, including UAH, use their data to identify aspects of the undergraduate experience inside and outside the classroom that can be improved through changes in policies and practices. We will receive data comparing how our students respond to how students at other schools respond, giving us insight into what we do well and where we can improve.
The NSSE and FSSE are important components of our larger assessment plan that supports our ongoing accreditation process through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The NSSE & FSSE projects are approved and governed by the Indiana University-Bloomington Institutional Review Board.
How do I take the survey?
The NSSE survey opens on February 18, 2025. First-year and senior students will receive more information and a link to the survey from nsse@nssesurvey.org.
In appreciation for participating, all students who complete the survey by April 4, 2024 will receive a promo code worth $1 off a campus Grub Hub order this Spring. You can use your promo code multiple times. Complete your survey early to get your promo code; your code will expire when the promotion has been collectively used 3,000 times or by May 2, whichever comes first. We will email you a promo code to your UAH email address within seven business days after you have fully completed your survey.
The FSSE survey opens in early April. Faculty, graduate students, and others teaching at least one course this academic year will receive more information and a link to the survey on or around April 1, 2025. Your survey link will be sent from FSSE Survey noreply@qualtrics-survey.com.
I have questions about the privacy of my responses. Where can I learn more?
FSSE Confidentiality: https://nsse.indiana.edu/fsse/administering-fsse/confidentiality/index.html
NSSE Confidentiality (excerpted from the Informed Consent Statement):
SURVEY PARTNERS
This survey is conducted in a partnership between your school and the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research. The Center will send your survey responses to your school for research, institutional assessment, and improvement.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Your school and the Center will make every effort to keep your responses confidential, although absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Neither your college nor the Center will make any public release of information associated with your name while using survey results and related student records for their intended purpose (to improve the college experience and conduct research), but personally identifiable responses may be inspected by college and government organizations when required by law.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have any questions at any time about the survey or the procedures, you may contact the National Survey of Student Engagement at nsse@indiana.edu or by calling 812-856-5824.
For questions about your rights as a research participant or to discuss problems, complaints, or concerns about a research study, or to obtain information or offer input, contact the Indiana University Human Subjects Office by phone at 800-696-2949 or by email at irb@iu.edu.
Where can I get more information?
Please contact Dr. Suzanne Jenkins-Simpson, Assistant Provost, at oir@uah.edu. You can also reach their office at 256-824-6686.