NSSE relies on email as the primary mode of communication and recruitment for students to participate in the survey. However, spam filters, blocklists, message volume, students marking emails as spam, and other factors can affect email delivery and response rates. To make matters more challenging for high-volume email message deliverers like NSSE, email service providers like Microsoft and Google continuously refine their security systems to prevent spam and malicious activity.

To address these challenges and improve email delivery and student response , we have implemented the following strategies. Our hope is that they will ensure the most student feedback as possible for NSSE participating schools.

• Harnessed additional servers: We have increased the number of servers available for message delivery from two to four. This will reduce the impact of any blocklisted server as well as lower the chances of any server falling onto a blocklist in the first place. 

• Partnered with MXtoolbox: MXtoolbox is a company that monitors over 250 different blocklists and sends alerts if problems arise. This will help us react as quickly as possible and resolve any issues with email delivery. 

• Changed the way we send recruitment messages to students: We will gradually increase message delivery volume during the initial weeks and more evenly distribute the number of messages sent each day. These best practices for message delivery will enhance our email sender reputation and avoid spam triggers. 

• Expanded NSSE’s early warning system: We have integrated a new dashboard into our Tableau early warning system that shows institution-level differences between current- and prior-administration response rates. This will help NSSE staff detect early signs of large-scale technical and/or delivery issues so we can take corrective actions quickly. 

• Allowed schools, rather than NSSE, to deliver the five standard email messages: We have given schools the option to send all five email recruitment messages (with unique survey links) themselves, rather than using NSSE’s servers. This may avoid potential problems associated with sending recruitment messages from IU’s servers in some cases and provide schools more control over their email campaigns. 

• Encouraged recruitment with text messages: Indiana University’s legal counsel advises that participating schools may send recruitment text messages with unique survey links but prohibits NSSE from sending them directly. Students may be more likely to open links in text messages, and texts reach students who prefer this mode of communication. 

These strategies should help prevent email delivery issues from arising and minimize their effects if they occur, thus ensuring the most student feedback as possible for NSSE participating schools.