AAUP 2006 State of the University Survey Results

 

Below are the results of the 2006 AAUP “State of the University Survey.” One hundred and twenty-four faculty responded from across all divisions except Military Science.

 

For each item on the survey the statement assessed appears first, followed by the grand mean for that item if applicable. The accompanying graphs depict either the frequency of responses across the 1- to 9-point scale range or the percentage responding to given choices. In the former case, zeros on the x axis indicate failure to respond to that item, and the number above the bar in the zero column represents the number of faculty who did not respond.

 

Summary data for each item appear below the corresponding graph. In addition, for items that have been replicated across time on the AAUP Survey an historical perspective is provided.

 

Thank you for your participation in this process.

 

 

 

 

 


 

1.      The administration operates in a trustworthy and meaningful manner that promotes transparency in its policies and procedures.   M=4.47, sd=2.66

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  41.5% agreed to some extent; 8.1% were ambivalent;^

50.4% disagreed to some extent

 

 

HISTORY: Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

2004

2006

53.5%

41.5%

 

 

^ Ambivalent: having “conflicting feelings or thoughts,” or feeling “uncertainty or indecisiveness”  (The American Heritage Dictionary, 1985, p. 101)


 

 

2.   With regard to the curriculum offered at Truman:

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY: 30% preferred no curriculum changes at this time; 30.0% wanted only LSP change; 40% wanted major curricular changes


 

 

 

 

3.   Truman State University has successfully promoted a reflective culture in which current and future plans result from careful consideration of the impact and effectiveness of past programs and policies.   M=4.42, sd=2.36

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  37.1% agreed; 12.1% were ambivalent; 50.8% disagreed

 

 

HISTORY: Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

2004

2006

46.5%

37.1%

 


 

 

 

 

4.   Physical facility resources (e.g., space, supplies, etc.) are adequate for my teaching and scholarly needs.   M=5.58, sd=2.60

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  57.3% agreed; 4.8% were ambivalent; 37.9% disagreed

 

 

HISTORY: Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2004

2006

36.5%

54.2%

52.7%

41.8%

56.1%

58.3%

57.3%

 


 

 

 

 

5.   Changing the administrative structure of the University should be a primary goal.   M=4.36, sd=2.71

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  32.5% agreed; 18.7% were ambivalent; 48.8% disagreed


 

 

 

 

6.      Proposals for restructuring and curriculum change were presented in a manner that allowed thoughtful consideration based on adequate and appropriate information about both processes.   M=4.03, sd=2.41

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  30.6% agreed; 14.5% were ambivalent; 54.8% disagreed


 

 

 

 

7.      Technology on campus is adequate for my teaching, service, and scholarship needs.    M=6.38, sd=2.18

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  73.2% agreed; 4.1% were ambivalent; 22.7% disagreed

 

 

HISTORY: Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2004

2006

54.7%

65.1%

57.9%

77.7%

69.8%

66.9%

73.2%

 


 

 

 

 

8.   Adequate time, support, and resources are available for my scholarship needs and requirements.   M=3.96, sd=2.57

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:   33.3% agreed; 4.9% were ambivalent; 61.8% disagreed

 

 

HISTORY: Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2004

2006

34.5%

40.7%

45.1%

40.1%

28.1%

32.5%

33.3%

 


 

 

 

 

9.   Salaries and benefits at Truman are commensurate with comparable institutions and reflect the teaching, service, and scholarship loads undertaken by faculty.    M=2.27 sd=1.67

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  5.7% agreed (no “strongly agree” responses); 5.7% were ambivalent; 88.6% disagreed

 

 

HISTORY:  Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2004

2006

28.4%

25.8%

35.0%

20.3%

20.4%

23.8%

5.7%

 


 

 

 

 

10.    Morale among faculty at Truman is currently very high.    M=3.08, sd=2.03

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  15.4% agreed (no “strongly agree” responses); 10.6% were ambivalent; 74.0% disagreed to some extent

 

 

HISTORY:  Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2004

2006

20.2%

49.4%

33.4%

32.4%

23.4%

30.7%

15.4%

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

11.    Moving to an overall 16-1 student-faculty ratio is the most appropriate way for the administration to make funds available for increases in faculty and staff salaries.    M=4.48, sd=2.49

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  32.5% agreed; 22.0% were ambivalent; 45.5% disagreed


 

 

 

 

12.    My personal commitment to Truman and to the programs undertaken here is as strong as it ever was.    M=5.68, sd=2.87

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  58.5% agreed; 4.1% were ambivalent; 37.4% disagreed

 

 

 

HISTORY: Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

2001

2002

2004

2006

60.1%

56.7%

n/a

58.5%

 

 


 

 

 

 

13.    The restructured Faculty Senate provides an effective and distinct voice for faculty.    M=5.25, sd=2.11

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  36.9% agreed; 46.7% were ambivalent; 16.4% disagreed

 

 

HISTORY: Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

2002

2004

2006

I support restructuring Faculty Senate to provide a more effective and clear [faculty] voice

The newly restructured Faculty Senate provides a more effective and distinct [faculty] voice

The restructured Faculty Senate provides an effective and distinct voice for faculty

 

68.5%

 

47.6%

 

36.9%


 

 

 

 

14  The Study Abroad office effectively mentors students' international experiences by facilitating information exchange, travel arrangements, coordination with host institutions, transfer of course credit, etc.    

M=4.99, sd=2.25   

I have personally mentored students regarding their study abroad arrangements. Yes: n=64,  M= 4.94    No:  n=59, M=5.12 (p=.654)

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY: 37.2% agreed; 35.5% were ambivalent; 27.3% disagreed

 

 

HISTORY: Percent of respondants agreeing across time

 

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2004

2006

%

%

%

%

%

54.1%

37.2%


 

 

 

 

15. Which of the statements below regarding Truman's assessment program best reflect your opinion about assessment at Truman? 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  5.8% said fine as is; 94.3% said needs revision (53.7% wanted moderate to major revision, 23.2% wanted total revamping or discontinuance)

 


v v GRAND SUMMARY v v

 

v Out of 13 scaled items the following are survey topics on which a majority of faculty agreed (in descending order):

7.   Technology on campus is adequate for my teaching, service, and scholarship needs. 73.2%

12.  My personal commitment to Truman and to the programs undertaken here is as strong as it ever was.    58.5%

4.   Physical facility resources (e.g., space, supplies, etc.) are adequate for my teaching and scholarly needs.    57.3%

 

v Out of 13 scaled items the following are survey topics on which a majority of faculty disagreed (in descending order):*

9.   Salaries and benefits at Truman are commensurate with comparable institutions and reflect the teaching, service, and scholarship loads undertaken by faculty.    88.6%

10.  Morale among faculty at Truman is currently very high.    74.0%

8.   Adequate time, support, and other resources are available for my scholarship needs and requirements.    61.8%

6.   Proposals for restructuring and curriculum change were presented in a manner that allowed thoughtful consideration based on adequate and appropriate information about both processes.   54.8

3.   Truman State University has successfully promoted a reflective culture in which current and future plans result from careful consideration of the impact and effectiveness of past programs and policies.   50.8%

1.   The administration operates in a trustworthy and meaningful manner that promotes transparency in its policies and procedures.    50.4%

 

* On all other items except one, the number disagreeing exceeded the number agreeing.

 

v For three items “ambivalent” was the single strongest response category:

13. The restructured Faculty Senate provides an effective and distinct voice for faculty.  46.7%

14  The Study Abroad office effectively mentors students' international experiences by facilitating information exchange, travel arrangements, coordination with host institutions, transfer of course credit, etc.   35.5%

11. Moving to an overall 16-1 student-faculty ratio is the most appropriate way for the administration to make funds available for increases in faculty and staff salaries.  22.2%

 

v The grand mean was below scale midpoint on nine of the 13 scaled items, indicating disagreement at various levels.


v v Open-Ended Comments v v


Truman State University
chapter of
American Association of University Professors
http://aaup.truman.edu