This document contains results of the 2001 Faculty Survey for the College of Medicine (67 faculty members responding). Results from the previous three Faculty Surveys in 1998, 1999, and 2000 are provided for comparison's sake (when possible).
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 | 3.36 | 3.56 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Vice-President for Academic Affairs | 2.80 | 3.04 | 2.7 | 3.4 |
| Vice-President for Medical Affairs | 2.82 | 3.31 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Vice-President for Financial Affairs | 3.09 | 3.17 | 2.8 | not asked |
| Vice-President for Student Affairs | 3.13 | 3.62 | 3.1 | not asked |
| Your Own Dean | 2.85 | 3.32 | 2.9 | 2.7 |
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 | 3.08 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Is impartial and professional in relations with faculty | 3.13 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Conveys administrative expectations in a clear and effective manner | 2.84 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Informs faculty of developments critical to the accomplishment of the mission of the university | 2.84 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Seeks and incorporates faculty input into decisions concerning matters vital to the mission of the university | 2.52 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Encourages new initiatives which further the mission of the university | 2.60 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Seeks and dedicates ample resources to fulfillment of university mission | 2.47 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Responds to crisis with appropriate
measures
Yes |
53% 47% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
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 | 2.92 | 3.56 | 3.3 | 2.9 |
| Is impartial and professional in evaluating the performance of co-workers | 2.90 | 3.43 | 3.2 | 2.7 |
| Informs faculty of developments critical to the accomplishment of the mission of the unit | 2.73 | 3.38 | 2.8 | 2.7 |
| Conveys administrative expectations in a clear and effective manner | 2.81 | 3.44 | 2.7 | 2.6 |
| Seeks and incorporates faculty input into decisions concerning matters vital to the mission of the unit | 2.24 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Encourages new initiatives which are logical extensions of existing programs | 2.71 | 3.44 | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| Seeks and dedicates ample resources to assure success/completion of an assignment | 2.44 | 3.12 | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| Is a proficient and productive administrator, and should be retained | 2.87 | 3.38 | 2.9 | 2.7 |
| 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") |
3.83 | 3.84 | 3.7 | 4.0 |
| How much emphasis do faculty leaders and administrators at
USA place on effective teaching for career advancement? (1="too little emphasis"; 5="excessive emphasis") |
2.50 | 2.48 | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| Are you provided with adequate and appropriate resources to
teach effectively at USA? (1="very inadequate"; 5="very adequate") |
3.06 | 3.10 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| Will an additional course per
semester added to faculty teaching loads have a damaging effect on the
university's research mission?
Yes |
61% 39% |
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") |
4.05 | 3.93 | 4.0 | 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") |
3.12 | 3.16 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| Are you provided with adequate and appropriate resources to
conduct research or creative work at USA? (1="very inadequate"; 5="very adequate") |
2.61 | 2.49 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| 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") |
3.19 | 3.52 | 3.2 | 3.5 |
| How much emphasis do faculty leaders and administrators at
USA place on institutional service for career advancement? (1="too little emphasis"; 5="excessive emphasis") |
2.95 | 2.88 | 2.8 | 3.2 |
| Are you provided with adequate and appropriate resources to
engage in institutional service at USA? (1="very inadequate"; 5="very adequate") |
3.00 | 2.84 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| 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") |
3.12 | 3.17 | 2.9 | 3.2 |
| How satisfied are you with the USA Computer Services Center
in terms of the services provided? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
3.17 | 3.34 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
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") |
3.56 | 3.56 | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| How satisfied are you with the services provided by the
Library faculty and staff? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
3.88 | 3.96 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
| How satisfied are you with the electronic library and
Internet-based services provided by the Library? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
3.71 | 3.71 | 3.6 | 4.0 |
| 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") |
3.86 | 3.89 | 3.6 | 3.9 |
| How satisfied are you with the services provided by the
Library faculty and staff? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
4.18 | 4.12 | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| How satisfied are you with the electronic library and
Internet-based services provided by the Library? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
3.90 | 4.00 | 3.7 | 4.1 |
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 | 32.8% | 29.2% | ~40% | ~50% |
| Remain at USA with significant change in duties | 26.6% | 23.6% | ~20% | ~20% |
| Move to another institution | 26.6% | 39.3% | ~40% | ~20% |
| Move to non-academic employment | 14.1% | 7.9% | ~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") |
2.79 | 2.89 | 2.7 | 3.2 |
| How do you feel about your degree of academic freedom within
the classroom? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
4.10 | 4.06 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| 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") |
3.18 | 3.12 | 2.9 | 3.0 |
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 College of Medicine faculty members of 2.5; in the 1998 survey, the question also received a mean response of 2.5.
| 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") |
2.68 | 2.62 | 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") |
3.15 | 3.44 | 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") |
2.55 | 2.37 | 2.1 | not asked |
| The USA Foundation Board serves as an effective body in
managing USA's endowment (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree") |
1.33 | 1.46 | 1.6 | 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") |
3.15 | 3.43 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| 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") |
3.37 | 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") |
3.46 | 3.84 | not asked | not asked |
| The availability of cultural
activities on campus is: (1="very poor"; 5="excellent") |
2.87 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | |
| Do you consistently have difficulty
finding parking on the main campus?
Yes |
7.0% 93.0% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
| If yes, do you believe greater control
is needed in issuing parking permits?
Yes |
18.5% 81.5% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
| If yes, do you believe a significant
increase in the parking fee would solve the problem?
Yes |
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 |
30.0% 70.0% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Do you believe that zoned parking for
students on the main campus should be initiated?
Yes |
66.7% 33.3% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
| 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") |
3.47 | 3.35 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| How satisfied are you with your
ability to make timely unscheduled (emergency) appointments with a
physician? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
3.33 | 3.32 | 3.1 | 3.3 |
| How satisfied are you with the speed
with which you are seen (time in waiting room)? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
3.31 | 3.23 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| 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") |
2.39 | 2.39 | 2.3 | 2.6 |
| How satisfied are you with the overall
provision of services under the USA Health Plan? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
2.70 | 2.86 | 2.9 | 2.8 |
| How has the overall quality of USA
medical services changed over the last five years? (1="declined"; 5="improved") |
2.32 | 2.66 | 2.2 | 2.6 |
| What is your interest level
in switching your health insurance carrier (from Prime Health to Blue
Cross) (1="no interest"; 5="great interest") |
4.04 | 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") |
3.03 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | |
| Did you attend Spring 2000 Graduation?
Yes |
12.7% 87.3% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
| Did you attend Fall 2000 Graduation?
Yes |
3.2% 96.8% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
| If graduation were shorter, would you
feel better about attending?
Yes |
41.2% 58.8% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
| If graduation were organized with
individual ceremonies for each college, would you feel better about
attending?
Yes |
70.9% 29.1% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
| 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | |
| How important is Internet access to
your teaching? (1="not important"; 5="very important") |
4.24 | 4.07 | 3.8 | 3.82 |
| How important is Internet access to
your research? (1="not important"; 5="very important") |
4.75 | 4.35 | 4.3 | 4.28 |
| How important is it in your teaching
and lecturing to utilize technology in the classroom? (1="not important"; 5="very important") |
3.86 | 3.69 | not asked | not asked |
| How satisfied are you with your
technology resources in the classroom? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
3.38 | 3.00 | not asked | not asked |
| How satisfied are you with your
computing resources at work? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
3.69 | 3.43 | 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") |
4.00 | 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") |
3.59 | 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") |
4.55 | 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") |
2.78 | 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") |
4.44 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| How satisfied are you with your access
to help on technology issues? (1="very dissatisfied"; 5="very satisfied") |
2.94 | 3.21 | not asked | not asked |
| 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | |
| Are you currently involved in
distance learning?
Yes |
10.0% 90.0% |
not asked | not asked | not asked |
| There are adequate supports for
developing distance learning courses (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree") |
2.38 | 2.71 | not asked | not asked |
| There is adequate time allotted to
develop and to teach distance learning courses. (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree") |
2.00 | 2.48 | not asked | not asked |
| There are adequate rewards for
developing distance learning courses. (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree") |
2.00 | 2.33 | not asked | not asked |
| Distance learning should be a priority
for USA. (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree") |
2.92 | 3.29 | not asked | not asked |
| I am satisfied with the services
provided by my college. (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree") |
2.64 | not asked | not asked | not asked |
| The university has a systematic plan
for developing distance learning courses. (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree") |
1.69 | 2.42 | not asked | not asked |
| Faculty should retain intellectual
property rights to distance learning courses and materials they develop. (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree") |
3.77 | 3.87 | not asked | not asked |
Back to the 2001 USA Faculty Survey Home Page
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University of South Alabama -
Faculty Senate - HUMB 344 - Mobile, AL 36688-0002 / (334) 460-7610 |