Appendix 14
Special Advisory Committee to the University Senate (Presidential Search)
Summary of survey responses – IPFW
November 2011
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The most common challenge listed by all constituents is the increasing cost of education vs. decreasing
state funding. Clearly this is a challenge that will pursue higher education for years to come. Faculty and staff are concerned
about rising cost of fringe benefits, while students’ main concern is rising tuition cost. Another important trend is maintaining the
academic excellence the Purdue system is known for. The effect of technology on the education process is understandingly at
the forefront of challenges singled out by the IPFW constituency. Of particular importance for IPFW, being a local campus is the
“building of a positive rapport with all regional campuses”.
1. Please rate the importance of the new President having academic credentials equivalent to being a tenured, full professor at
Purdue.
Essential (1)
Very Important (2)
Somewhat Important (3)
Not Important (4)
Total
Mean
Faculty
45
19
7
2
73
1.53
Staff
39
28
22
8
97
1.99
Students
114
75
58
17
264
1.92
2. Please rate the importance of the new President having administrative expertise in leading a large and complex institution.
Essential (1)
Very Important (2)
Somewhat Important (3)
Not Important (4)
Total
Mean
Faculty
48
23
2
0
73
1.37
Staff
75
19
3
0
97
1.25
Students
169
73
16
5
263
1.46
3. Please list up to 5 of the most important challenges facing the University as a whole that the new President should address.
Faculty
 Financial resources for the entire Purdue system.
 Transparency in relationships with regional campuses.
 Respect for and understanding of issues facing regional campuses.
 Regional representation targeted as needed to legislators, businesses, and ICHE.
 Maintain high standards of education in a rapidly changing environment.
Staff





Decreasing state appropriations along with pressure to keep student fees low while increases in expenses, such as
benefits.
Maintaining global presence as a premier university, promote academic excellence.
Impact of technology on education delivery, innovative degree programs to match the changing world economy.
Recognition of unique regional campuses, create atmosphere of unity (not merely sameness) among all Purdue
campuses.
Too many policies, too much red tape; reduce bureaucracy.
Students
 More scholarships/find ways to lesser tuition; rising tuition costs (122% increase over the past ten years).
 Selecting employees/profs with academic and real world experience within their area of expertise, making IPFW an
academically elite institution
 Part time professor vs. real professors.
 Standardized curriculum with IPFW and their other satellite campuses.
 Keeping the campus on the cutting edge of technology.
Appendix 14
5. Please list up to five of the most important issues in your work environment that need the new President's attention.
Faculty
 Faculty compensation and workloads
 Full time faculty vs. LTL and CL
 Regional campuses are different, one size doesn’t fit all
 Decrease non-academic costs
 Continuing upgrade of technology for learning
Staff





Lack of staff appreciation, promotion opportunities, proper compensation and rising insurance prices
The building of a positive rapport with all regional campuses.
Updated technology to help with efficiency and effectiveness.
Increase public funding and support for higher education in Indiana
faculty teaching loads, less reliance on LTLs.
7. Please list up to five of the most important issues pertaining to your education that need the new President's attention.
Students
 Tuition cost is too high, lower textbook costs, more scholarship opportunities.
 Maintaining current and relevant teachers in all departments, Real World Experience, access to industry in scheduled
events, internships
 Educational quality, academic challenge, new graduate programs.
 Adding more online classes, more flexibility in schedule of classes.
 Parking
The items listed above are taken directly from the Survey results and summarize common trends..
Peter Dragnev, 2 December 2011