The ADVANCE Program at the University of Michigan will launch its fourth campuswide survey of tenured instructional-, research- and clinical-track faculty during the first week of October.
Like the previous three surveys in 2001, 2006 and 2012, the latest iteration of the study will cover a wide range of topics, including unit and campus climate, career satisfaction, mentoring, teaching, service, resources, leadership and recognition.
For questions about the faculty survey, email jmalley@umich.edu or call 734-647-6388.
This year, ADVANCE’s data collection effort coincides with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s own faculty campuswide survey. In order to avoid faculty members being asked to respond to two somewhat similar surveys, the DEI and ADVANCE surveys have been integrated into a single instrument, which will be administered by the ADVANCE Program.
All other strictly DEI-related surveys will be administered by SoundRocket. Also, lecturers will be included in a separate survey conducted by DEI.
As campus leaders consider goals for improving the work climate and increasing job satisfaction for faculty members, they rely on the data produced from this large-scale survey of the U-M faculty. The data will allow university administrators to assess the success of recent initiatives as well as determine areas requiring additional or new efforts. Therefore, it is critical that as many faculty as possible participate in the survey, U-M officials say.
Previous surveys have identified areas of concern for faculty members, and have led to increased attention to issues like resource allocation, mentoring, leadership development and child care.
Analyses of the 2012 data revealed a wide range of factors that predict job satisfaction for faculty members, such as a positive work climate, a sense of self-determination, the capacity to influence one’s work setting, satisfaction with funding and teaching load, and opportunities to learn and grow as part of one’s job.
“The foundation of the university is our excellent faculty,” said Provost Martin Philbert. “We are committed to providing an environment that enables them to do their best work. This survey, like its predecessors, will provide us with valuable information about what is working well and how we can make continual improvements.”
Since the last campuswide faculty survey was conducted in 2012, the university has launched its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative. This year’s survey will provide critical information to those coordinating the DEI efforts regarding the way the campus climate is experienced by U-M faculty members.
Participation is voluntary. Importantly, all survey responses are confidential, and data will be de-identified and only reported in the aggregate. Emails containing a link to the online survey will be sent to faculty members Tuesday.
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