The Chronicle of Higher Education has recognized Elon University in its 2009 “Great Colleges to Work For” program, which honors institutions for best practices and policies, such as faculty-administration relations, confidence in senior leadership, and compensation and benefits.
Elon is one of 150 colleges named to the second annual list. This spring marked the first time the university participated in a survey used to identify honorees. Results were announced July 6, 2009, in a special supplement of The Chronicle.
Among medium-sized institutions, Elon was named as one of 10 institutions to receive special distinction in the following areas:
• Job Satisfaction
• Policies, Resources and Efficiency
• Respect and Appreciation
• Confidence in Senior Leadership: “Leaders have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for institutional success.”
• Teaching Environment: “Faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching.”
• Connection to Institution and Pride: “Employees have a strong sense of loyalty to the institution.”
• Facilities and Security: “Appearance of the campus is pleasing, and the institution takes steps to provide a secure environment.”
• Healthy Faculty-Administration Relations: “Senior leadership communicates with and respects faculty members.”
• Internal Communications: “Ideas are fully considered and issues debated for better results.”
• Physical Work Space Conditions: “Facilities adequately meet needs, and the appearance of the campus is pleasing.”
“The most important resource Elon University provides to its students is an extraordinarily talented faculty and staff,” said Elon University President Leo M. Lambert. “They create the environment on campus that fosters intellectual, personal, and spiritual growth and set the tone for a welcoming, vibrant community. The survey results point to how invested our faculty and staff are in making Elon excellent in every respect.”
Results of The Chronicle’s survey are based on responses from 41,000 administrators, faculty and staff members at 247 institutions, including four-year colleges and universities and two-year community colleges. Questionnaires were administered online in March and April 2009.
“Despite the down economy, colleges are still hiring,” stated Chronicle editor Jeffrey J. Selingo in a news release announcing the survey results. “Through this program, The Chronicle is able to provide more information to job seekers about the colleges that are leading innovators when it comes to providing a rewarding work environment.”
The “Great Colleges” survey included a two-part assessment process: consulting firm ModernThink LLC administered a survey to employees, and an institutional audit captured demographics and workplace policies at each institution. Feedback from faculty and staff was the biggest factor in determining which colleges and universities made the list.
The Chronicle of Higher Education is a top source of news, opinion and job information for college and university faculty and administrators. It has a weekly print readership of 350,000 and Web traffic of more than 14 million views a month.
For more information about the 2009 survey and honorees, click on the link to the right of this page under the E-Cast section.