Results of Survey of Faculty Workplace Environment - Preface
There have been many changes in policy and practice at Union County College over
the last few years, which, for better or worse, have had an effect on the
working conditions of faculty members at the College, our ability to do our jobs
effectively, and our ability to serve the students of the County.
With that in mind, some full-time faculty members from Union County
College created and administered a survey to assess the views of its members
about these changes and conditions. The survey was administered
electronically, in a way that gave every member the opportunity to respond only
one time, anonymously, during a two-week period in the Spring 2016 semester.
The survey was a series of statements related to working and learning
conditions at the college. An effort was made to craft the questions
in an unbiased manner. Faculty were given the chance to agree or disagree with
each statement on a scale from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (strongly disagree).
For each statement, they were also given the chance to comment, and hundreds of
comments were received and collected.
Out of 148 faculty who were sent the survey, 99 responded.
The results of this survey are so remarkable and instructive that they must be
shared.
The issues addressed in this survey are issues of interest not only to
faculty members, but more generally to the public at large, in particular the
citizens of Union County. As citizens on the front lines in the
implementation of these policies and practices, and in providing education to
the adults of the county, we believe that our views on these changes are
uniquely valuable when it comes to evaluating these changes.
UCC Faculty Workplace Environment Survey, Results
|
I
strongly agree with this statement– |
I
agree with this statement– |
I
neither agree nor disagree with this statement– |
I
disagree with this statement– |
I
strongly disagree with this statement– |
Total– |
Weighted Average– |
1.
The reorganization of the governance system at UCC has been
beneficial for the college. |
0.00%
0 |
0.00%
0 |
13.13%
13 |
21.21%
21 |
65.66%
65 |
99 |
4.53 |
2.
The morale of the faculty has improved during the last four
years. |
0.00%
0 |
0.00%
0 |
1.01%
1 |
9.09%
9 |
89.90%
89 |
99 |
4.89 |
3.
I have a good working relationship with this administration.
|
0.00%
0 |
9.09%
9 |
32.32%
32 |
30.30%
30 |
28.28%
28 |
99 |
3.78 |
4.
Administration actions are a reflection of the policy: "Students
are #1" |
1.03%
1 |
2.06%
2 |
7.22%
7 |
26.80%
26 |
62.89%
61 |
97 |
4.48 |
5.
The administration welcomes and considers my opinions as a
professional educator. |
0.00%
0 |
5.10%
5 |
9.18%
9 |
22.45%
22 |
63.27%
62 |
98 |
4.44 |
6.
I feel free to openly disagree with the administration without
any repercussions. |
1.01%
1 |
6.06%
6 |
3.03%
3 |
17.17%
17 |
72.73%
72 |
99 |
4.55 |
7.
The administration makes it easier for me to do my job
effectively. |
2.02%
2 |
1.01%
1 |
12.12%
12 |
23.23%
23 |
61.62%
61 |
99 |
4.41 |
8.
I feel comfortable consulting with this administration when I
have difficulties. |
0.00%
0 |
2.04%
2 |
11.22%
11 |
25.51%
25 |
61.22%
60 |
98 |
4.46 |
9.
Changes in policies are made and communicated to the faculty in a
clear and timely manner. |
1.02%
1 |
1.02%
1 |
9.18%
9 |
22.45%
22 |
66.33%
65 |
98 |
4.52 |
10.
The administration is sensitive and responsive to the needs of
the faculty. |
0.00%
0 |
0.00%
0 |
3.03%
3 |
14.14%
14 |
82.83%
82 |
99 |
4.80 |
11.
This administration's policies help maintain academic excellence
and standards at UCC. |
0.00%
0 |
4.04%
4 |
5.05%
5 |
27.27%
27 |
63.64%
63 |
99 |
4.51 |
12.
Capital investment in new facilities (such as the student
services building) is being spent wisely. |
0.00%
0 |
7.07%
7 |
41.41%
41 |
20.20%
20 |
31.31%
31 |
99 |
3.76 |
13.
The elimination of departments and reorganization into divisions
is in the best interest of the college and its students. |
1.02%
1 |
0.00%
0 |
9.18%
9 |
16.33%
16 |
73.47%
72 |
98 |
4.61 |
14.
There is a regular and productive exchange of ideas between the
VPAA & faculty. |
0.00%
0 |
2.02%
2 |
9.09%
9 |
28.28%
28 |
60.61%
60 |
99 |
4.47 |
15.
This administration is leading UCC in the right direction. |
0.00%
0 |
0.00%
0 |
9.09%
9 |
26.26%
26 |
64.65%
64 |
99 |
4.56 |
16.
Policies established by the administration seem carefully thought
out and planned. |
3.03%
3 |
3.03%
3 |
11.11%
11 |
26.26%
26 |
56.57%
56 |
99 |
4.30 |
17.
The elimination of chairs and coordinators has not reduced
student access to effective academic advising. |
2.06%
2 |
1.03%
1 |
15.46%
15 |
25.77%
25 |
55.67%
54 |
97 |
4.32 |
18.
The current curriculum process maintains the faculty's role as
the primary voice in curriculum development. |
0.00%
0 |
2.02%
2 |
5.05%
5 |
26.26%
26 |
66.67%
66 |
99 |
4.58 |
19.
Faculty members believe that they can offer challenging questions
or comments on administrative policies and practices without fear of
retaliation. |
0.00%
0 |
1.03%
1 |
2.06%
2 |
18.56%
18 |
78.35%
76 |
97 |
4.74 |
20.
The administration is acting in a way that is consistent with the
stated mission, goals, and objectives of the college.
|
0.00%
0 |
5.05%
5 |
17.17%
17 |
32.32%
32 |
45.45%
45 |
99 |
4.18 |
21.
This academic year, faculty schedules have been completed in a
logical, fair, and open manner. |
2.02%
2 |
7.07%
7 |
35.35%
35 |
20.20%
20 |
35.35%
35 |
99 |
3.80 |
22.
The current requirements and process for re-appointment,
promotion, and/or post-tenure review are fair and improve faculty
development. |
0.00%
0 |
1.01%
1 |
21.21%
21 |
30.30%
30 |
47.47%
47 |
99 |
4.24 |
23.
When given a directive by the administration, the line between a
requirement and voluntary choice is made clear. |
1.03%
1 |
1.03%
1 |
15.46%
15 |
26.80%
26 |
55.67%
54 |
97 |
4.35 |
24.
The declining number of full-time faculty does not lower the
quality of instruction for students. |
0.00%
0 |
1.01%
1 |
7.07%
7 |
15.15%
15 |
76.77%
76 |
99 |
4.68 |
25.
Administrative course enrollment management decisions are made
with the best interests of students in mind. |
0.00%
0 |
3.06%
3 |
10.20%
10 |
30.61%
30 |
56.12%
55 |
98 |
4.40 |
26.
Administrative policies targeting the improvement of the 3-year
graduation rate have had no significant negative impact on academic
integrity and standards. |
0.00%
0 |
4.08%
4 |
9.18%
9 |
19.39%
19 |
67.35%
66 |
98 |
4.50 |
27.
The elimination and changes in programs have had no significant
negative impact on student access and student choice in pursuing their
career goals. |
1.03%
1 |
2.06%
2 |
10.31%
10 |
31.96%
31 |
54.64%
53 |
97 |
4.37 |