Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

A

Activity

An activity associated with the application record and viewable on the Application tab. Commonly used to store application and enrollment fees.

Admin Entry

Admin Entry describes when a form is submitted internally in Slate by a logged in user.

Applicant

A record which has created an application or has had an application imported into Slate.

Application

A set of data which pertains to an individual applying to your institution.

Application Creation Form

A form that, when submitted, creates an application and application tab on a student record.

B

BCC

To "Blind Carbon Copy" an email address means that the recipient in the "To" field will not be aware that the message was sent to another address.

C

Calculation Formula

Calculation formulas can be added to form fields in order to perform mathematical equations, concatenations, and pre-fill data in fields, among other actions.

Campaign

A series of messages in Slate most often used in reference to Drip Marketing. A campaign does not refer to a single message.

D

Data Table

A structured arrangement of information in rows and columns, similar to a spreadsheet, where each row represents a record, and each column represents a different attribute or variable. Data tables are commonly used to organize and present data in a systematic and easy-to-understand format, facilitating analysis, comparison, and interpretation of data.

Database

A structured collection of data that is organized and stored electronically, allowing for efficient retrieval, manipulation, and management of information. It serves as a centralized repository where data can be stored, updated, and accessed by users or applications as needed.

Delay Delivery

Delay Delivery allows a Deliver Message to be sent at an exact time, and should not be used in conjunction with Delivery Windows in Ongoing Mailings.

Deliverability

Email Deliverability allows users to enter an email address to view messages previously sent to that address along with a log of email-related activity and suppression list information.

Delivery Window

For Ongoing Mailings, Delivery Windows are two-hour time frames in which the Recipient List of a Deliver message will be evaluated for sending. Any records meeting the Recipient List criteria on the defined weekdays will receive the message during the Delivery Window.

Device Type

Types of communication methods to contact a student. Slate offers default device types such as primary phone, mobile phone, evening phone, and email address. Custom device types can also be created.

Direct Entry

Direct Entry describes when a form is submitted outside of Slate using the public URL, even when the form submitter is a Slate administrator.

DKIM

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) authenticates an email you send from Slate by letting email servers know that an email is from you and not from a spam account.

Drip Marketing

A series of targeted messages in Slate connected by a defined population released over time. Messages in a Drip Marketing campaign will utilize population filters, including "Population Timestamp" or "Population Timestamp Days."

E

Enrolled (Person Status)

A person status assigned to a record after a student has been deemed enrolled into your institution.

Entity

Entities are custom objects/scopes exclusive to your database. A record can have a one-to-many relationship with an Entity; moreover, an Entity can belong to a person record, application record, or dataset record. Example entities include scholarships, class schedules, and more.

Event

An event can be created to collect registrations, similar to a form. However, unlike forms, events have a date/time associated with them, and may have a location.

Event Communication

A communication triggered by an action taken related to an event. An event communication can be sent due to an event registration, update, waitlist registration, or can be triggered to send relative to when the event is taking place. Event communications are typically transactional, rather than marketing focused.

Export Key

An Export Key will be pre-populated for mapped form fields. If a form field is unmapped, an export key can be entered to enable querying on this field data.

F

Field

A field is part of a record and contains a single piece of data (a value).

Folio

Assigning materials to the Folio will allow a material to be associated with a person record and fulfill and checklist items for any application(s) associated with the person record.

Force Execute

Administrative method to force rules created in the Rules Editor tool to be run on a record.

Form

Forms in Slate are used for a number of tasks, from collecting data from prospective students to administratively updating specific data points for student records. A form is quite often an integral piece for many of the other Slate modules. A well-developed form can play a crucial role in marketing efforts, record management, reader review, events, and interviews.

Form Communications

A communication triggered by an action taken related to a form. A form communication can be sent due to an event registration, update, waitlist registration, or based on the form deadline. Form communications are transactional rather than marketing focused.

Form Field

Form fields are data points collected on a form; these can be text boxes, prompt-driven lists, addresses, or many other types of data. Unmapped form fields can capture data that is not essential within the larger context of the person record as they will not store back to the record. Form fields mapped to system fields will be stored back on the associated record.

Format Mask

Format masks can be placed on form fields to ensure that data is entered and formatted consistently. For example, a GPA field may be restricted to only numeric data with two digits following the decimal point. In other examples, a field format may include a currency with a thousands separator, or a field may force the input to be in the form of an email address.

G

Gateway Inbox

When using the Microsoft Outlook Add-in or the Email to Slate Gateway feature, emails that were received in another system can be forwarded into Slate and matched against existing records. All forwarded emails are gathered in the Gateway Inbox and waiting to be matched.

Glossary Example

This is what terms defined in our glossary look like!

Guests

Number of people joining a registrant at an event.

H

Hard Fail

Warns that data missing from the Slate application is required before an applicant is able to submit their application.

I

iCal

An iCal (or iCal feed) is created when Slate events are added to a personal calendar outside of Slate (i.e. Outlook, Google).

Impersonate

Administrative method to test a Slate user access and permissions settings.

In Progress (Deliver Status)

In Deliver, the status of In Progress indicates a message is still being configured and has not yet been set to send.

Inbox

Inbox allows email messages to be sent to a general, office-wide email account associated with person records in Slate. In addition to manual management of incoming email, rules can be leveraged to automate message tasks such as user assignment and automatic replies.

Inbox Live Bot

The Inbox Live Bots combines frequently asked questions with natural language processing to match the answers to questions asked.

Inquiry (Person Status)

A person status assigned to a record after a form submission or a test score has been submitted. This is the second level of Person Status (Prospect, Inquiry, Applicant).

Interaction

A touch-point made with a student/donor. Items such as emails and texts sent from within Slate are automatically recorded, while interactions occurring outside of Slate are tracked manually.

Interest

Historical entry recording various interests of a student that is typically used within the Slate application.

Interview/Slot

Another term for a Scheduler slot. Interviews/slots are very similar to Events, but are built to only allow one registration.

J

Job

Historical entry recording a student's work history that is typically used within the Slate application.

Join

A method used to connect multiple data tables to one another when creating a query.

L

Landing Page

A webpage created to display events in specified folders. The landing page can show a calendar, list, or map view.

Liquid Markup

Similar to Conditional Logic, Liquid Markup allows text or images to be displayed or hidden based on defined criteria. Liquid Markup offers more nuance that Conditional Logic and is generally recommended for more complex logic.

M

Mailing

A single communication in Deliver, including emails, texts, postcards, etc. Can be used interchangeably with "Message." Alternately, a "Campaign" is a series of mailings.

Mapped Field

A mapped field is connected to a corresponding field on a record in Slate. This connection is made by selecting from the "System Field" drop down in a form field.

Materials

Any document that needs to be stored with a person record.

Message

A single communication in Deliver, including emails, texts, postcards, etc. Can be used interchangeably with "Mailing." Alternately, a "Campaign" is a series of messages.

Message Group

Message groups allow for a message recipient to opt out a single message group (such as undergraduate, history department, etc.), rather than setting the "Opt Out" tag by opting out from all future communications.

Message Preview

Use "Display Sample Message" to preview the look of the message for any possible recipient. Especially useful when building messages that contain conditional logic, this tool allows every iteration of a message to be tested.

O

Opt Out

Most frequently, Opt Out refers to the tag on the person record in Slate indicating a record has opted out of receiving communication. This tag can be set administratively, via import, or as a result of certain decisions added to the record.

Organization

A dataset containing U.S. domestic high schools and colleges within Slate.

Outbox

Sending a message to the Outbox will allow for final review before the mailing is delivered. Outbox is most often used for print communications such as postcards.

Outreach Mailing

Also known as an event invitation, Outreach Mailing is a specific type of event communication trigger. This type of communication allows a recipient list to be constructed from a specific population of records while selecting the necessary exports, much like a Deliver mailing, directly from an event.

P

Period

A period defines the span of time during which an application may be created (i.e. application cycle).

Person Record

The Person Record is where an individual's data will be stored and displayed. This includes their status, biographical and contact information, a timeline of interactions, application materials, academic, scores, interests, and much more.

Ping

Ping is an analytics service that records web accesses and associates the access history with user profiles.

Population

A Population is a group of records with like attributes that are assigned a common label in Slate via population rules in the Rules Editor. Populations can include both prospect records and application records, and records can be enrolled in multiple populations at the same time.

Postcard

Postcards can be designed in Deliver and sent via postal mail. The associated cost includes both the printing and postage, and the current rates can be found in the Deliver Configuration tool.

Pre-Flight Checks

Pre-Flight Checks are errors and warnings that identify the most common mistakes in Deliver, but they should not be used exclusively for message review. Red "Errors" will prevent activation of the message, while orange "Warnings" will require a use to acknowledge the warning by typing a confirmation message.

Prompt

Prompts are distinct choice values used in conjunction with fields.

Prospect (Person Status)

A person status assigned to a record after it's original creation in Slate. This is the first level of Person Status (Prospect, Inquiry, Applicant).

Q

QR Code

QR codes are event specific codes that can be emailed or texted to students as a part of an event communication. These codes can be presented at the time of the event to allow for a quick and easy check-in process while using the Slate App.

Query

A query is a question you ask a database to find specific information.

Query String Parameter

A Query String Parameter allows for a form to be pre-filled with data from a person record in Slate and associated with the record before form submission.

R

Ready for Review (Deliver Status)

In Deliver, the status of Ready for Review indicates a message has been created and requires another user to review and send.

Recipient

The email address or mobile phone number of the person intended to receive a message.

Recipient List

A Recipient List is a live query (or uploaded spreadsheet) containing the list of people intended to receive a message.

Recommendation

A detailed review of an applicant by someone who knows them well.

Record

A record is a single unit of data that contains information about a specific entity or object, typically represented as a row in a database table.

Reference

An overall generic summary of an applicant's strengths, career goals, and experience.

Registration Block

Registration blocks allow for groups attending an event to quickly complete the registration process. The form or event registration would appear on each individual's record in Slate.

Related Event

An event that can be selected on a form or event, in order to register for multiple events at once. Related Events allows for consolidation of event registration for multiple events into a single registration form.

Relational Database

Relational databases are organized collections of data stored in tables, where each table consists of rows and columns. These databases use structured relationships between tables to efficiently manage and retrieve data.

Relationship

Family members of an individual can be stored as a relationship.

Replicate Block

Replicate blocks allows for ordered data to be captured on a form in a specified section.

Reschedule (administrative)

Allows a user to select another date/time for an event registrant.

Reschedule (external)

Allows an external event registrant (i.e. student, alumni) to reschedule themselves for an event on another date/time. Appropriate event folders should be selected to allow the registrant to only reschedule themselves for those events.

Round

Application rounds may reflect the different types of applications institutions may offer at a high level (i.e. Applicant Type).

Running (Deliver Status)

In Deliver, the status of Running indicates that a message is currently being evaluated for sending. When a message is at this status, no additional action is necessary and the messages will be delivered per the send setting configuration.

Running/Ongoing (Deliver Status)

In Deliver, the status of Running/Ongoing indicates that a message will continue to send until the stop date or until the messages is manually stopped. When a message is at this status, no additional action is necessary and the messages will be delivered per the send setting configuration.

S

Safe

A data point which will not be updated if a current application exists. This is the default setting for all fields created in the Fields tool.

Scheduler

Used to create events that are meant to only allow one registrant.

School

Schools attended by an individual. Schools are typically set via a form submission, dataset upload or application, and reference the institutions listed within the Organizations dataset.

Slate

A comprehensive constituent relationship management system created specifically to meet the needs of higher education institutions, such as admissions, student success, and advancement offices, all from within a single unified interface.

Slate Gateway

The Slate Gateway allows users to use a personalized BCC address to connect external email systems to Slate.

Slot

These are created within Scheduler as the event's registrants can sign up for. Only one registrant is allowed per slot.

SMS

SMS (Short Message Service) is the technical name for text messaging.

Snippet

Mailing Snippets are used to insert HTML content conditionally into Deliver mailings, Decision letters, Dashboards, or Portals. Examples include staff signatures, blurbs on academic programs, images related to an academic or extracurricular interest.

Soft Fail

Warns that data missing is from the application, but will not prevent an applicant from successfully submitting their application.

SPAM

SPAM is generally defined as unsolicited bulk email messages.

Split Testing

Split testing allows for the creation and testing of two different versions of a message to see which one results in more opens or clicks.

Sport

Historical entry recording a student's athletic history that is typically used within the Slate application.

SQL

Structured Query Language, a programming language used to view and modify your data. You do not need to know SQL to build, implement, or use Slate.

Stop

Stops can be included within a trip to schedule logistical appointments only to be seen and used by the person traveling (i.e. hotel stays, flights, private appointments).

Student Dashboard

The Student Dashboard is a tab located on the student record which displays important information regarding your student including past events attended, test scores and basic biographic information like sex, name and email.

Suppression List

A suppression list can be used when you need to exclude a population that cannot be identified with query filters. In other words, a random list of recipients needs to be excluded, and the only way to exclude them is to upload their email addresses in a spreadsheet.

System Emails

System generated emails that are transactional will trigger based on a very specific action in Slate. Some of the system emails were configured when the Slate Database was initially provisioned. Most system emails can be customized.

T

Tab

Data on a student record will be displayed via tabs such as Dashboard, Timeline, Profile and Materials. Additional custom tabs can be added to display additional fields of your choice.

Timeline

A tab on the student record which displays a summary of all changes including emails, texts, field value changes, logins and administrative impersonations.

Transcript

A summary of an applicant's academic history and grades.

Trigger

An event communication trigger defines what causes a communication to send. For example, event communication triggers include "Upon Registration", "Upon Update", or "Hours After Event."

Trip

Trips allow for the organization of events, slots, stops, and notes under an overarching itinerary for ease-of-tracking.

U

Unmapped Field

An unmapped field is not connected to a corresponding field on a record in Slate. When submitted, the data will not be stored back to a record, but will be stored on the form submission.

Unsafe

This setting on a field, form or uploaded dataset will update the record regardless of an active application. This should only be used if the data being saved is from a trusted source.

Unsubscribe

When a recipient clicks "Unsubscribe" from an email message, they will have the option to Opt Out of all future communication, or from a particular message group as defined by the institution. If a student chooses to Opt Out of all future communication, then the "Opt Out" tag will be set on the person record.

User

An account with a username and password that can be used to access the internal-facing portion of Slate. While most users are also real-life people, some users might be a part of an integration with other software.

UTM

UTM or "Urchin Tracking Module" codes are basic codes that can be attached to custom URLs to track various marketing campaigns.

W

Watch Flag

A type of interaction which displays important information within a yellow bar at the top of a record.