Great Colleges to Work For Survey: 2013 Results

College of Charleston

Faculty Senate MeetingSeptember 10, 2013

“Great Colleges” Survey Overview

Annual Survey Beginning in 2008 Survey Administered by ModernThink (HR firm) “Best Colleges” Recognized for Each Category

by Chronicle of Higher Education 227 Four-year Universities Participated for 2013 Survey Distinguishes between Small, Medium,

and Large Universities First CofC Participation in 2013 CofC Designated a Large University (10,000-

plus students)

College of Charleston Survey Overview October 2012 Senate Resolution

Additional Expenses Approved by President and Provost Sampling of Adjunct Faculty Additional Reports Allowing More Data Analysis

Extracted Data vs. Full Data Sets 750 Surveys Sent to Employees (March-April

2013) 289 Surveys Returned (38.5% Response Rate) 48% of Respondents Are Faculty

2013 Results: Initial Takeaways College Not Recognized as High-Achieving College Results Generally Lag Those for Most or All

Comparison Groups Faculty Generally Less Satisfied with College Than Other

Groups (e.g., Administrators, Staff) Faculty Satisfaction Varies by Faculty Rank and School Faculty Responses Especially Unfavorable for Salaries,

Benefits, Facilities, Staffing Levels, and Senior Leadership Staff Responses Depend on Job Role (e.g., Exempt Staff) Department Chairs/Immediate Supervisors Given Higher

Marks by Faculty and Staff than Other Administrators Adjunct Faculty Far More Positive than Roster Faculty

2013 Survey Results: Strengths for College of

Charleston No Results in the “Very Good to Excellent”

Range Results in “Good” Range for Four

Categories Pride (73%)

“I am proud to be part of this institution.” (76%) “All things considered, this is a great place to work.”

(68%) Supervisors/Department Chairs (73%) Job Satisfaction/Support (72%) Professional Development (68%)

2013 Survey Results:Weaknesses for College of

Charleston Results in “Fair to Mediocre” Range for Eight Categories (e.g., Collaboration, Fairness)

Results in “Warrants Attention” or “Poor” Categories for Three Categories Policies, Resources, and Efficiency (54%) Faculty, Administration & Staff Relations

(50%) Senior Leadership (43%)

2013 Employee Comments

“What do you appreciate most about working at this institution?”

“What would make this institution a better place to work?”

2013 Comment Results: Strengths for College of

Charleston Beautiful Campus and City History/Tradition Academically Strong Students Liberal Arts and Sciences Focus Commitment to Undergraduate Instruction Student-centered, Caring, Strong Faculty and

Staff Departmental Colleagues and Department

Chairs (Faculty) Good Supervisors and Colleagues (Staff)

2013 Comment Results: Weaknesses for College of

Charleston Uncompetitive Salaries (34%) Inadequate Benefits (e.g., Tuition

Reimbursement, Retirement Plans, Domestic Partner Benefits) (22%)

Administration (18%) Facilities/Classrooms/Technology (10%) President/President’s Office (7%) Provost/Office of Academic Affairs (7%)

Next Steps 2013 as Baseline: Participate in 2014 Great Colleges

Survey Salaries and Benefits

Study Impact of Recent Salary Increases Improve Salary Step Enhancements for Faculty Promotions Propose Additional Salary Increases for Faculty and Staff Develop Improved Recognition Programs Advocate for Benefit Enhancements at State Level

Resources: Propose Further Increases in Operating Budgets Facilities and IT: Pursue Improved IT and Classroom/Office

Space Administration: Work with Faculty and Staff Advisory

Committees, Make Great Colleges Data Available for Review