January 8, 2008
Faculty survey results show positive shift
Results from a 2006 survey of West Lafayette faculty show a positive shift in overall satisfaction with Purdue, compared with data gathered in 2001.
William Harper, who served as chair of the Faculty Informetrics Committee at the time of survey, presented the findings to University Senate at its Nov. 19 meeting.
The Senate initially assessed faculty contentment in 2001, and those results served as a baseline for the 2006 survey.
Almost 41 percent of faculty responded in 2006. The survey covered five categories: satisfaction with Purdue; support for teaching and research; tenure and merit review; faculty voice on campus; and overall working climate at Purdue.
In the category of satisfaction with Purdue, 73 percent of respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with Purdue overall, said Harper, who is also head of the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Satisfaction increased from 2001 to 2006 in the markers of unit prestige, from 76 percent to 85 percent; research facilities, 69 percent to 85 percent; and salaries, 46 percent to 58 percent.
Within the same category, collegiality, atmosphere, work environment and reputation were identified as what faculty liked most about Purdue. Faculty reported concerns about the administration and administrative goals, salary, research/teaching balance and facilities.
If they had to decide all over again whether to become a faculty member at Purdue, 65 percent of faculty said that they would. In 2001, 56 percent chose Purdue again.
Under the category of faculty voice, respondents identified an increase in influence within their academic units, but a decrease in voice in University plans, Harper said.
Within their units, faculty believed they had more influence across all markers, including: teaching schedules, up from 41 percent in 2001 to 58 percent in 2006; course loads, from 19 percent to 35 percent; determining class size, up 15 percent to 29 percent; and determining merit pay, up 25 percent to 38 percent.
Across campus, 34 percent thought they had a voice in affecting Purdue's overall climate. The number is down from 60 percent in 2001.
A comprehensive report of the 2006 survey soon will be available at http://www2.itap.purdue.edu/faculty/feedback. Results and analysis of the 2001 survey are posted on the site.