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