WSU on Honor Roll as ‘Great College to Work For’

July 19, 2017

OGDEN, Utah – According to a survey commissioned by The Chronicle of Higher Education, Weber State University is one of 18, similarly sized institutions nationwide that made the “2017 Great Colleges to Work For” Honor Roll.

The results, released this week in The Chronicle’s 10th annual report on The Academic Workplace, are based on an employee survey conducted at 232 colleges and universities nationwide.

In all, only 79 of the 232 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. The 42 universities of any size, including Weber State, that received the additional Honor Roll distinction had high employee marks in multiple categories. 

Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions with Weber State included among large universities of 10,000 or more students.

This is WSU’s third year of participation and first year to make the Honor Roll. Based on responses from faculty and staff, the university was recognized in nine of 12 possible categories — up from five last year. In addition to last year’s categories, Weber State was commended for Professional/Career-Development Programs, Respect & Appreciation, Teaching Environment, Tenure Clarity & Process,

Professional/Career-Development Programs                                                        

Employees are given the opportunity to develop skills and understand requirements to advance in their careers.

Respect and Appreciation                                                                   

 Employees are regularly recognized for their contributions.                

Teaching Environment                                                                               

Faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching.

Tenure Clarity & Process (4-year colleges only):                                        

Faculty members say requirements for tenure are clear.

Collaborative Governance 

Faculty members are appropriately involved in decisions related to academic programs.

Confidence in Senior Leadership

Leaders have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience for institutional success.

Facilities, Workspaces & Security

Facilities meet employees’ needs; the campus appearance is pleasing, and the institution takes steps to provide a secure environment.

Job Satisfaction

There is an overall sense that the job is meaningful to the employee and the institution.

Work/Life Balance

University policies give employees the flexibility to manage their lives on the job and at home.

“Weber State is thrilled to be included on The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Honor Roll,” said WSU President Charles A. Wight. “When it comes to being a Great College to Work For, the credit belongs to our excellent faculty and staff, who contribute to a great environment every day.”

The survey is one of the largest workplace recognition programs in the country and recognizes the colleges that get top ratings from their employees on workforce practices and policies.

“Ten years in, the Great Colleges to Work For distinction is well-known by academic jobseekers as a sign that an institution’s employees are valued and given opportunities for growth even when they face financial constraints,” said Liz McMillen, editor of The Chronicle. “Any college or university that’s on the list is showing they emphasize valuable assets: their faculty and staff.” 

To administer the survey and analyze the results, The Chronicle used ModernThink LLC, a strategic human capital consulting firm that has conducted numerous “Best Places to Work” programs, surveying hundreds of thousands of employees nationwide. The Great Colleges survey included a two-part assessment process: a survey administered to faculty, administrators and salaried staff (the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey) and an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies and practices. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received a Great College to Work For recognition was the employee feedback.

“It is indeed an accolade to be on the Honor Roll as a Great College to Work For,” said Cherrie Nelson, WSU Human Resources assistant vice president. “Thanks goes to our faculty and staff who have been making dreams happen since 1889.”

To view the results of the survey, visit chronicle.com/AW17.     

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Contact:

Allison Barlow Hess, public relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu

Author:

Allison Barlow Hess, public relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu