Mitchell College of Business

Fourteenth Faculty Survey

April 2001

This document contains results of the 2001 Faculty Survey for the Mitchell College of Business (30 faculty members responding). Results from the previous three Faculty Surveys in 1998, 1999, and 2000 are provided for comparison's sake (when possible).


Administrative Ratings

Faculty were asked, on a scale of 1 to 5, to indicate their confidence in, or opinion of, the effectiveness of the following USA personnel. On the scale, 1 represented "very poor" and 5 represented "excellent." The higher, the better.

  2001 2000 1999 1998
President 3.13 3.04 3.3 3.6
Vice-President for Academic Affairs 2.61 2.48 3.3 3.8
Vice-President for Medical Affairs 2.17 3.67 3.5 4.0
Vice-President for Financial Affairs 3.39 3.09 3.0 not asked
Vice-President for Student Affairs 3.38 3.07 3.3 not asked
Your Own Dean 2.47 2.75 3.3 3.3

 


University Leadership (President, VPs)

Indicate your opinion about how highly you rate the university leadership in each of these respects 
(1 indicates "very poor"; 5 indicates "excellent").

  2001 2000 1999 1998
Honors all promises and commitments 3.04 not asked not asked not asked
Is impartial and professional in relations with faculty 2.66 not asked not asked not asked
Conveys administrative expectations in a clear and effective manner 2.80 not asked not asked not asked
Informs faculty of developments critical to the accomplishment of the mission of the university 3.00 not asked not asked not asked
Seeks and incorporates faculty input into decisions concerning matters vital to the mission of the university 2.43 not asked not asked not asked
Encourages new initiatives which further the mission of the university 2.70 not asked not asked not asked
Seeks and dedicates ample resources to fulfillment of university mission 2.72 not asked not asked not asked
Responds to crisis with appropriate measures

Yes
No

41%
59%
not asked not asked not asked

 


Dean of the Mitchell College of Business

Faculty were asked, on a scale of 1 to 5, to indicate their opinion of their own college's dean. On the scale, 1 represented "very poor" and 5 represented "excellent." The higher, the better.

 

Evaluate Your Dean on each of these matters 2001 2000 1999 1998
Honors all promises and commitments 2.33 2.92 3.5 3.1
Is impartial and professional in evaluating the performance of co-workers 2.31 2.71 3.1 3.1
Informs faculty of developments critical to the accomplishment of the mission of the unit 2.40 3.08 3.7 3.2
Conveys administrative expectations in a clear and effective manner 2.43 2.84 3.8 3.1
Seeks and incorporates faculty input into decisions concerning matters vital to the mission of the unit 2.10 not asked not asked not asked
Encourages new initiatives which are logical extensions of existing programs 2.32 2.92 4.2 3.1
Seeks and dedicates ample resources to assure success/completion of an assignment 2.59 2.80 3.5 3.1
Is a proficient and productive administrator, and should be retained 2.38 2.80 3.4 3.1

 


Experiences at USA

 

Teaching 2001 2000 1999 1998
At USA, how would you rate the importance of teaching performance to your personal career satisfaction?
(1="of no importance"; 5="very important")
4.43 4.50 4.6 4.3
How much emphasis do faculty leaders and administrators at USA place on effective teaching for career advancement?
(1="too little emphasis"; 5="excessive emphasis")
3.07 3.25 3.1 2.8
Are you provided with adequate and appropriate resources to teach effectively at USA?
(1="very inadequate"; 5="very adequate")
3.00 3.25 2.7 2.7
Will an additional course per semester added to faculty teaching loads have a damaging effect on the university's research mission?

Yes
No

96%
4%
not asked not asked not asked

 

Research and Publications/Creative Work 2001 2000 1999 1998
At USA, how would you rate the importance of research or creative work to your personal career satisfaction?
(1="of no importance"; 5="very important")
4.04 3.50 3.7 4.0
How much emphasis do faculty leaders and administrators at USA place on research or creative work for career advancement?
(1="too little emphasis"; 5="excessive emphasis")
3.38 3.33 3.4 3.8
Are you provided with adequate and appropriate resources to conduct research or creative work at USA?
(1="very inadequate"; 5="very adequate")
2.26 2.42 2.3 2.4

 

Service and Leadership 2001 2000 1999 1998
At USA, how would you rate the importance of institutional service to your personal career satisfaction?
(1="of no importance"; 5="very important")
3.14 3.20 3.5 3.4
How much emphasis do faculty leaders and administrators at USA place on institutional service for career advancement?
(1="too little emphasis"; 5="excessive emphasis")
2.69 2.70 2.7 2.6
Are you provided with adequate and appropriate resources to engage in institutional service at USA?
(1="very inadequate"; 5="very adequate")
3.00 2.83 3.3 2.8

 


Computer Services Center

  2001 2000 1999 1998
How satisfied are you with the USA Computer Services Center in terms of its ability to keep abreast of the latest technologies?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.63 3.21 3.4 3.1
How satisfied are you with the USA Computer Services Center in terms of the services provided?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.45 3.42 3.4 3.2

 


Libraries

Faculty were asked to respond to these questions for the library (or libraries) they use.

University Library 2001 2000 1999 1998
How satisfied are you with the USA Library in terms of its ability to keep you abreast of the latest trends and developments in the field of your research?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.60 3.71 3.3 3.3
How satisfied are you with the services provided by the Library faculty and staff?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
4.40 4.33 4.3 4.3
How satisfied are you with the electronic library and Internet-based services provided by the Library?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.84 3.81 3.6 3.9

 

Biomedical Library 2001 2000 1999 1998
How satisfied are you with the Biomedical Library in terms of its ability to keep you abreast of the latest trends and developments in the field of your research?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
n/a n/a 4.0 n/a
How satisfied are you with the services provided by the Library faculty and staff?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
n/a n/a 4.0 n/a
How satisfied are you with the electronic library and Internet-based services provided by the Library?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
n/a n/a 4.0 n/a

 


Faculty Morale

Figures for 1998 and 1999 were rounded to the nearest 10% when originally reported and are reproduced as approximations here.

If you had a variety of professional options, would you prefer to: 2001 2000 1999 1998
Remain at USA with little or no change in duties 39.3% 36% ~60% ~40%
Remain at USA with significant change in duties 17.9% 32% ~10% ~20%
Move to another institution 35.7% 28% ~30% ~30%
Move to non-academic employment 7.1% 0% ~10% ~10%

 

  2001 2000 1999 1998
How satisfied are you with opportunities currently provided by USA to concentrate on what you do best?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
2.69 3.00 3.3 3.2
How do you feel about your degree of academic freedom within the classroom?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
4.00 3.75 4.2 3.9
How satisfied are you with the amount of freedom you have at USA to express your opinions regarding University policies and procedures?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
2.57 2.63 3.2 2.8

 


Miscellaneous

Note: the single question used prior to the 2000 survey regarding the Faculty Senate was divided into two parts beginning in 2000 and thus cannot be directly compared. The previous question read "The Faculty Senate serves as an effective representative body." In the 1999 survey, this question received a mean response from MCOB faculty members of 3.1; in the 1998 survey, the question received a mean response of 2.9.

  2001 2000 1999 1998
The organization and administration of the University allow the Faculty Senate to serve as an effective representative body
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
2.89 2.58 not asked in this form not asked in this form
Members of the Senate work hard and concentrate on the proper issues to promote faculty interests effectively
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
3.77 3.43 not asked in this form not asked in this form
The USA Board of Trustees serves as an effective governing body for the institution
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
2.63 2.83 2.8 not asked
The USA Foundation Board serves as an effective body in managing USA's endowment
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
1.33 1.73 2.0 not asked
Please rate the USA Bookstore in terms of providing adequate and affordable services, materials, and texts to your students
(1="very poor"; 5="excellent")
3.36 3.35 3.8 3.4
Please rate the USA Bookstore in terms of providing faculty with timely notification of materials which have to be back ordered or requested texts which are found to be out of print.
(1="very poor"; 5="excellent")
3.59 not asked not asked not asked
Please rate the idea of establishing a conference center on the main campus for meetings, seminars, retreats, etc.
(1="very poor"; 5="excellent")
3.68 3.59 not asked not asked
The availability of cultural activities on campus is:
(1="very poor"; 5="excellent")
3.63 not asked not asked not asked

 


Parking on Campus

 

  2001 2000 1999 1998
Do you consistently have difficulty finding parking on the main campus?

Yes
No

10.0%
90.0%
not asked not asked not asked
If yes, do you believe greater control is needed in issuing parking permits?

Yes
No

53.3%
46.7%
not asked not asked not asked
If yes, do you believe a significant increase in the parking fee would solve the problem?

Yes
No

7.7%
92.3%
not asked not asked not asked
If yes, do you believe only one permit should be issued per family member?

Yes
No

75.0%
25.0%
not asked not asked not asked
Do you believe that zoned parking for students on the main campus should be initiated?

Yes
No

70.0%
30.0%
not asked not asked not asked

 


USA Health Plan

  2001 2000 1999 1998
How satisfied are you with your ability to make timely appointments with your primary care physician?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.86 3.58 4.0 3.1
How satisfied are you with your ability to make timely unscheduled (emergency) appointments with a physician?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.29 3.44 3.6 3.3
How satisfied are you with the speed with which you are seen (time in waiting room)?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.19 3.32 3.4 2.8
If you have had problems with the administration of the USA Health Plan, please rate the handling of appeals and resolution of your problems.
(1="very poor"; 5="excellent")
3.42 3.10 2.7 3.2
How satisfied are you with the overall provision of services under the USA Health Plan?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.38 3.32 3.6 3.1
How has the overall quality of USA medical services changed over the last five years?
(1="declined"; 5="improved")
2.44 3.19 3.5 2.8
What is your interest level in switching your health insurance carrier (from Prime Health to Blue Cross)
(1="no interest"; 5="great interest")
4.00 not asked not asked not asked
What is your interest level if changing health care providers significantly decreases revenue for USA Hospitals and the College of Medicine?
(1="no interest"; 5="great interest")
3.13 not asked not asked not asked

 


Graduation

  2001 2000 1999 1998
Did you attend Spring 2000 Graduation?

Yes
No

58.6%
41.4%
not asked not asked not asked
Did you attend Fall 2000 Graduation?

Yes
No

56.7%
43.3%
not asked not asked not asked
If graduation were shorter, would you feel better about attending?

Yes
No

86.4%
13.6%
not asked not asked not asked
If graduation were organized with individual ceremonies for each college, would you feel better about attending?

Yes
No

73.1%
26.9%
not asked not asked not asked

 


Technology

  2001 2000 1999 1998
How important is Internet access to your teaching?
(1="not important"; 5="very important")
4.69 4.38 4.2 3.82
How important is Internet access to your research?
(1="not important"; 5="very important")
4.82 4.58 4.3 4.29
How important is it in your teaching and lecturing to utilize technology in the classroom?
(1="not important"; 5="very important")
3.76 4.17 not asked not asked
How satisfied are you with your technology resources in the classroom?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.14 2.79 not asked not asked
How satisfied are you with your computing resources at work?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.66 3.21 not asked not asked
The University should institute a plan to replace faculty office computers at 3-year intervals in order to keep pace with technology
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
4.30 not asked not asked not asked
I support the University decision to adopt Microsoft as a standard for word processing/ spreadsheet software
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
3.96 not asked not asked not asked
The University should maintain site licenses such that programs can be purchased (by faculty and students) for a nominal fee
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
4.46 not asked not asked not asked
How satisfied are you with Novell Groupwise/ USAMAIL (USA's e-mail system)?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
3.71 not asked not asked not asked
The University should increase Internet bandwidth to support the increased number of users on campus
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
4.75 not asked not asked not asked
How satisfied are you with your access to help on technology issues?
(1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied")
2.92 3.33 not asked not asked

 


Distance Learning

  2001 2000 1999 1998
Are you currently involved in distance learning?

Yes
No

48.3%
51.7%
not asked not asked not asked
There are adequate supports for developing distance learning courses
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
2.80 3.00 not asked not asked
There is adequate time allotted to develop and to teach distance learning courses.
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
2.29 2.24 not asked not asked
There are adequate rewards for developing distance learning courses.
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
1.91 1.95 not asked not asked
Distance learning should be a priority for USA.
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
2.46 2.86 not asked not asked
I am satisfied with the services provided by my college.
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
2.85 not asked not asked not asked
The university has a systematic plan for developing distance learning courses.
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
1.80 2.14 not asked not asked
Faculty should retain intellectual property rights to distance learning courses and materials they develop.
(1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree")
4.19 4.14 not asked not asked

End of Survey Results

Back to the 2001 USA Faculty Survey Home Page


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