On Monday, April 4, all undergraduates will receive an e-mail from President David Skorton inviting them to answer a 10-minute Web-based PULSE -- Perceptions on Undergraduate Life and Student Experiences -- survey. Each student will receive a unique link assigned to them to complete the survey.

"The main purpose of the PULSE is to learn about students' undergraduate experiences: both the activities in which they have engaged and their attitudes concerning their undergraduate experience," says Marne Einarson, senior research and planning associate in the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.

Results from analyses of survey data will be used to identify strengths and weaknesses in the services provided to undergraduate students at Cornell. Survey findings are shared with senior administrators to inform institutional decision-making.

As a small recognition of the value of the students' time, every 10th student to complete the Cornell PULSE will receive $10 -- they'll know instantly when they hit that final "submit" button whether they are one of the winners. Students can either take the cash or make a donation to the Students Helping Students Fund, which provides assistance to students with necessary emergency expenses that cannot be funded by other means. Participation in the Cornell PULSE is voluntary. The student may leave blank any questions they do not wish to answer. Their responses will be kept completely confidential. Analyses of the data will not be reported in any form that would identify an individual.

If students have questions about the PULSE or encounter problems while completing it, they may contact Cornell's Office of Institutional Research at irpsurvey@cornell.edu.