Higher education marketing firm SimpsonScarborough emailed an online survey to Emory University students on Sept. 25 that aims to collect students’ perceptions of Oxford College. Since then, the company has sent out reminders on Sept. 27, Oct. 1 and Oct. 18 to urge students to fill out the survey. SimpsonScarborough is conducting the study in collaboration with Emory, according to Assistant Vice President of University Communications Laura Diamond.
“Emory is currently conducting Oxford College-specific research to understand both internal and external perceptions that can inform how we communicate with our audiences — including prospective students and their families,” Diamond wrote in an email to The Emory Wheel.
The University is seeking to collect perspectives from Oxford continuees as well as students who were admitted to both campuses but opted to start at the Atlanta campus, according to Diamond. She wrote that the survey is similar to a University-wide study Emory conducted in September 2023, which focused on students’ attitudes and opinions across both campuses.
“While the previous study looked at the university broadly, we are now looking to further study, embrace and highlight the unique attributes of an Oxford education,” Diamond wrote.
Crystal Oleka (25Ox) said she did not know much about the current survey’s potential impact and that she did not complete the survey because she thought it was a “scam.”
“I did not know that much about the [survey],” Oleka said. “All that I’ve seen is just emails coming through.”
Antonio Frausto (25Ox) expressed a similar sentiment, noting that he had not heard about the survey. However, Frausto said the effort to enhance Oxford’s brand perception is a step in the right direction.
“The community at Oxford and just the overall … vibe … is honestly probably one of, if not its best, qualities,” Frausto said. “It is one of the main reasons I chose to come here, and I do think it’s probably something they should be advertising.”
Frausto was admitted to both the Oxford and Atlanta campuses but said he chose Oxford because of its smaller community.
SimpsonScarborough offers students the chance to win a $100 gift card if they complete the survey. This piqued Frausto’s interest, who said it “absolutely” incentivized him to do the survey.
Oleka feels that the survey will create an overall positive impact and could lead to improvements at Oxford.
“One of the problems I feel a lot … is school spirit,” Oleka said. “I don’t really feel connected to this campus … It’s a step in the right direction towards changing school spirit and just the overall morale.”
