Communications Policy

Text Messaging Policy

How and why the Mitchell Institute uses text messaging to communicate with Scholars and Alumni — and how you stay in control of what you receive.

Last reviewed: July 2026

The Mitchell Institute uses text messaging as one tool, among several, for sharing time-sensitive information with current Scholars and with Mitchell Alumni. Texting is meant to complement — not replace — existing communication such as email, phone calls, and our website. This policy exists to keep our use of texting purposeful, respectful of recipients’ time, and never overused.

This policy applies to communications sent to Mitchell Scholars and Alumni through our messaging platform. It does not apply to individual, one-on-one conversations between a Scholar or Alumnus and Mitchell Institute staff conducted by personal phone.

All outgoing text campaigns are reviewed and approved by Mitchell Institute staff prior to being sent. Messages are sent through our managed messaging platform, integrated with our Scholar records system (Slate), and are never sent from a staff member’s personal phone number.

Scholars and Alumni choose which categories of messages they’d like to receive and may opt in to some, all, or none. You can opt out of any category at any time by replying STOP to a message, or by contacting our team directly. Instructions for opting out are included in the first message you receive from us. Replying HELP will provide assistance.

• Purposeful, not frequent. We use texting for short, individually relevant messages rather than routine updates better suited to email.
• Always identified. Every message clearly identifies the Mitchell Institute as the sender.
• Accessible. Messages are written to be clear for all recipients, including non-native English speakers and Scholars using assistive technology.
• Never the only channel. Anything sent by text is also shared through email or another communication method, so no Scholar or Alumnus misses important information by opting out.
• Secure links only. Any links included in a text are short and clearly associated with the Mitchell Institute.