Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Executive Summary
This document contains the results of the 2010-2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey.
This survey was developed, administered, and analyzed by the Institutional Assessment and Research
Office. Administered annually online during the spring semester to WSSU staff, this survey was
designed to collect information about staff satisfaction with university services, processes, resources,
working relationships, and the overall campus climate.
General Information
One hundred and fifty-eight individuals completed the survey. The largest percentage of respondents
work in the Academic Affairs (37.3%) division and more than half (53.3%) reported that they had
worked at WSSU for six years or less. Sixty-two percent (62.2%) of the respondents have an EPA
(Exempt from the Personnel Act) employment classification and in terms of position type, seventy
percent (70.0%) of the respondents currently do not hold a supervisory position and fifty-six (56.1%) do
not hold a management position.
Work Climate
Fifty-four percent (54.6%) of the respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement “The
number of full-time employees in my work unit is adequate to get the job done”. For the items that
focused on working relationships between various groups, a large majority of respondents (90.5%)
agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “In general, working relationships are satisfactory between
staff and students”. The percentage of respondents who agreed or strongly agreed was noticeably
smaller (51.3%) for the statement “In general, working relationships are satisfactory between staff at
Winston-Salem State University as a whole and the upper administration in the university”. Sixty
percent (60.5%) of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “Overall, I am satisfied
with the organizational structure of my unit”.
Resources
Seventy-one percent (71.6%) of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “In order
to support my work unit, the university provides adequate supervisors”. A similar percent of
respondents (70.7%) agreed or strongly agreed that the university provides adequate computer resources
to support their work units. For salary-related items, a majority of the respondents (66.7%) disagreed or
strongly disagreed with the statement “In order to support my work unit, the university provides
adequate salaries to retain capable staff to my work unit”. A similar percent of respondents (61.8%)
disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement “In order to support my work unit, the university
provides adequate salaries to attract capable staff to my work unit”.
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
October, 2011
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Business Process
Responses were evenly divided for several of the items in this section. For example, approximately
forty-four percent (43.9%) of the respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement “Hiring
practices at the university are fair” while forty-two percent (42.7%) of the respondents agreed or
strongly agreed with the statement. The largest percentage of the respondents (46.2%) agreed or strongly
agreed with the statement “Annual evaluation procedures are fair and equitable in my unit”. The
opposite pattern emerged for the statement “Termination procedures at the university are fair” in which
thirty-nine percent (39.5%) of the respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement. It
should be noted that the percentage of respondents who selected “Don’t Know” as their response choice
was substantial for several items in this section.
Physical Environment
Respondents tended to agree or strongly agree with the items in this section. The percentage of
respondents who agreed or strongly agreed ranged from fifty-nine percent (59.6%) for the statement
“The university provides sufficient space conducive to informal cultural and intellectual exchanges” to a
high of seventy-seven percent (77%) for the statement “ I believe that the physical environment at
WSSU contributes to an atmosphere for effective learning by students”.
Development and Support
Seventy-one percent (71%) of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “My
supervisor values employees who strive to be more effective professionals”. Nearly an identical
percentage of respondents (70.8%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “My attempts to
become a more effective professional are supported by my supervisor”. Using a scale from one (Almost
Never) to four (Almost Always) in responding to the question “To what extent do you feel that the
WSSU culture emphasizes quality work from the following groups?” respondents selected a rating of
three for three specific groups: Students (40.9%), Faculty (38.6%), and Support staff (38.1%). The
largest percentage of respondents (29.7%) who selected a rating of two was for the Administrators
group.
Using the same scale as above to respond to the statement “To what extent do you feel that the WSSU
provides the opportunities for development in the form of ….” nearly thirty-eight percent (37.8%) of
respondents selected a rating of three for “Staff development workshops”. In response to the question
“Overall, I am satisfied with opportunities for development provided by WSSU” the responses were
almost evenly divided: forty-six percent (46.1%) of the respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed
with the statement while forty-eighty percent (48.1%) agreed or strongly agreed with it.
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
October, 2011
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Branding
Most respondents (44.2%) selected the answer option “Some” to the following question “To what extent
do you think WSSU has a distinctive brand of leadership and service that are evident in most learning
experiences and activities sponsored by the university?”
Inclusive Governance, Leadership and Engagement
For the statement “In your opinion, how well does your immediate supervisor do each of the following”
approximately sixty percent of respondents selected good or excellent for each activity (listening to
staff, giving a straight answer, using ideas from staff) evaluated. Responses to the statement “In your
opinion, how well does the upper administration at WSSU do each of the following:” most of the
activities listed were rated as “Fair”. The only exception was for the activity “Give a straight answer
when asked a reasonable question” which most respondents rated as “Poor”. For the last question in this
section “Overall, how well does WSSU upper administration do in the areas of transparency of decision
making, communications between all levels of decision making, and providing opportunities for all to be
represented in decision making?” almost thirty-one percent (30.8%) of the respondents selected “Poor”,
thirty-four percent (34%) selected “Fair” and twenty-five percent (25%) selected “Good” or “Excellent”.
Community Service
In response to the question “How many WSSU-related activities have you participated in the last year?”
almost fifty percent (49.7%) of the respondents indicated that they had not participated in any academic
activities, forty-four percent (44.1%) had not participated/attended any athletic events, and
approximately forty-three percent (42.8%) of the respondents had not participated in cultural events.
Staff participation was highest for governance activities where seventy percent (70.3%) of the
respondents attended at least one of these activities in the last year.
Customer Service
Two questions were presented in this section: “In your opinion, which one area or office consistently
provides superior customer service?” and “In your opinion, which one area or office needs to improve
their customer service?” Since responses to the two questions were very diverse, data was only reported
for areas/offices that received five or more responses. Seven (n=7) respondents believed that Human
Resources and the Library consistently provided superior customer service while twenty (n=20)
respondents believed that the Human Resources office needed to improve their customer service.
Thirteen (n=13) respondents believed that “all offices” need to improve their customer service.
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
October, 2011
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Summary and Recommendations
Survey results indicate that WSSU staff is very satisfied with a number of areas/aspects of the
university. In particular, satisfactory working relationships exist between many groups and respondents
feel the university is providing many adequate resources (e.g. supervisors, computer resources,
equipment) to support their work units. Respondents also indicated that the physical environment is safe
and conducive for learning and supervisors value/support employees as they strive to be more effective
professionals. Responses were almost evenly divided regarding satisfaction with the opportunities for
development provided by WSSU, the effectiveness of certain business processes, and the ability of the
university to apply funding resources consistent with institutional priorities. Areas needing improvement
include relationships between staff and upper administration, participation of staff in certain
activities/events, and maintaining adequate levels of staff, especially full-time employees, to get the job
done. An area of particular concern appears to be the issue of offering competitive salaries to attract and
retain capable staff and increasing the longevity of staff working at the university. Fifty-three percent
(53.5%) of the staff at WSSU have been employed for six or less years and this percentage decreases to
twenty-eight percent (28%) for staff employed between seven and twelve years at the university. This
downward pattern becomes even more pronounced over time – only twelve percent (12.7%) of the
current staff have been employed between thirteen and eighteen years at the university.
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
October, 2011
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Section A: General Information
1. What is your employment classification?
Employment's Classficiation
(N=158)
2.6%
35.3%
EPA (Exempt from the
Personnel Act)
62.2%
SPA (Subject to the Personnel
Act)
Unsure / Don't know
2. Please select the division in which you work.
Employment's Work Division
(N=158)
37.3%
Academic Affairs
4.0%
Chancellor's Office
16.7%
Facilities Management
14.0%
Finance and Administration
7.3%
Student Affairs
18.0%
Other (Please Specify Below)
2.7%
Unsure / Don't know
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Percentage of responses
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
September, 2011
100%
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
3. How many years have you been employed at WSSU?
Employed's Years at WSSU
(N=158)
5.7%
12.7%
53.5%
28.0%
0-6
7 - 12
13 - 18
More than 18
4. Do you currently hold a supervisory position?
Do you currently hold a supervisory position?
(N=158)
Percentage of responses
100%
80%
70.0%
60%
40%
29.0%
20%
1.0%
0%
Yes
No
Unsure / Don't Know
Responses
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
September, 2011
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
5. Do you currently hold a management position?
Percentage of responses
Do you currently hold a management position?
(N=158)
100%
80%
56.1%
60%
38.9%
40%
20%
5.1%
0%
Yes
No
Responses
Unsure / Don't Know
Section B: Work Climate
Questions
Count
1. The number of full-time employees
in my work unit is adequate to get the
job done.
154
Don't
know
1.9%
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
24.7%
29.9%
31.8%
Strongly
Agree
11.7%
In general, working relationships are satisfactory between:
Questions
Count
Don't
know
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
2. Staff and Faculty.
157
5.7%
1.3%
13.4%
65.6%
14.0%
3. Staff and Students.
157
5.1%
0.0%
4.5%
66.9%
23.6%
157
0.6%
5.7%
15.3%
52.2%
26.1%
154
8.4%
8.4%
31.8%
41.6%
9.7%
156
0.6%
3.2%
13.5%
66.7%
16.0%
157
3.2%
9.6%
26.8%
44.6%
15.9%
4. Staff in my work unit and the
supervisor.
5. Staff at Winston-Salem State
University as a whole and the upper
administration in the university.
6. Members of my work unit and
members of other staff units.
7.Overall, I am satisfied with the
organizational structure of my unit.
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
September, 2011
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Section C: Resource
In order to support my work unit, the university provides adequate…
Questions
Count
Don't
know
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
1. Staff
157
1.3%
12.1%
40.1%
36.3%
10.2%
2. Supervisors
155
1.9%
5.8%
20.6%
56.1%
15.5%
3. Supplies
157
0.6%
9.6%
27.4%
52.2%
10.2%
4. Equipment
156
1.3%
9.0%
23.1%
53.2%
13.5%
5. Computer resources
157
1.3%
7.0%
21.0%
54.8%
15.9%
6. Physical facilities
154
2.6%
10.4%
27.9%
48.1%
11.0%
157
4.5%
28.0%
33.8%
28.7%
5.1%
156
4.5%
34.0%
32.7%
25.0%
3.8%
157
15.3%
19.1%
21.7%
38.9%
5.1%
8. Salaries to attract capable staff to
my work unit.
9. Salaries to retain capable staff to
my work unit.
10. Overall, the university applies
funding resources consistent with the
institutional priorities.
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
September, 2011
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Section D: Business Process
Questions
Count
1. Hiring practices at the university are
fair.
2. Annual evaluation procedures are
fair and equitable in my unit.
3. My unit uses the results of annual
evaluations for guidance in improving
staff performance.
4. Termination procedures at the
university are fair.
5. Grievance procedures are adequate
and contain appropriate safeguards for
the protection of personal and civil
rights.
Don't
know
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
157
13.4%
14.6%
29.3%
38.9%
3.8%
156
14.7%
14.7%
24.4%
43.6%
2.6%
155
17.4%
13.5%
28.4%
37.4%
3.2%
157
38.2%
12.1%
27.4%
20.4%
1.9%
157
43.9%
14.0%
14.0%
23.6%
4.5%
Section E: Physical Environment
Questions
Count
Don't
know
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
1. I believe that the physical
environment at WSSU contributes to an
atmosphere for effective learning by
students.
157
7.0%
4.5%
11.5%
61.1%
15.9%
2. WSSU provides a safe environment
(sound building structures, adequate
sidewalks, adequate lighting) for all
members of the campus community.
157
4.5%
5.7%
20.4%
55.4%
14.0%
157
7.0%
5.1%
21.0%
57.3%
9.6%
156
10.3%
9.0%
21.2%
51.9%
7.7%
157
7.6%
5.1%
19.1%
58.6%
9.6%
3. WSSU provides a secure
environment for all members of the
community.
4. The university provides sufficient
space conducive to informal cultural
and intellectual exchanges.
5. The campus has a variety of spaces
to encourage student learning.
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
September, 2011
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Section F: Development and Support
Questions
Count
Don't
know
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
1. My supervisor values employees
who strive to be more effective
155
6.5%
8.4%
14.2%
41.3%
professionals.
2.My attempts to become a more
effective professional are supported by
154
4.5%
7.1%
17.5%
40.3%
my supervisor.
To what extent do you feel that the WSSU culture emphasizes
quality work from the following groups?
Almost
Don't
Questions
Count
Never
(2)
(3)
know
(1)
Strongly
Agree
29.7%
30.5%
Almost
Always
(4)
3. Administrators
155
13.5%
14.8%
29.7%
28.4%
13.5%
4. Faculty
153
14.4%
9.8%
20.9%
38.6%
16.3%
5. Support staff
155
5.8%
12.9%
27.1%
38.1%
16.1%
6. Students
154
13.6%
4.5%
26.6%
40.9%
14.3%
Questions
To what extent do you feel that the WSSU provides the opportunities
for development in the form of . . .
Almost
Don't
Count
Never
(2)
(3)
know
(1)
Almost
Always
(4)
7. Staff development workshops.
156
5.8%
15.4%
32.1%
37.8%
9.0%
8. Attendance at professional meetings.
156
5.1%
14.7%
37.8%
35.3%
7.1%
9. In-Service training.
157
6.4%
19.1%
35.7%
32.5%
6.4%
Question
Count
10. Overall, I am satisfied with
opportunities for development provided
by WSSU.
156
Don't
know
5.8%
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
11.5%
34.6%
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
September, 2011
41.7%
Strongly
Agree
6.4%
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Section G: Branding
Questions
1. To what extent do you think WSSU
has a distinctive brand of leadership
and service that are evident in most
learning experiences and activities
sponsored by the university?
Count
Don't
know
154
7.8%
Very
Little
20.1%
Some
44.2%
Quite
a Bit
Very
Much
20.8%
7.1%
Section H: Inclusive Governance, Leadership and Engagement
In your opinion, how well does your immediate supervisor do each of the following:
Questions
Count
1. Listen to staff in your work unit.
2. Give a straight answer when asked a
reasonable question.
3. Use ideas from staff in his/her
decision-making.
Don't
know
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
155
1.3%
16.8%
21.9%
27.7%
32.3%
155
0.6%
19.4%
18.7%
27.1%
34.2%
154
3.2%
19.5%
17.5%
30.5%
29.2%
In your opinion, how well does the upper administration at WSSU
(e.g., chancellor, provost, vice chancellors, vice provosts) do each of the following:
Don't
Questions
Count
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
know
4. Listen to ideas from staff.
5. Give a straight answer when asked a
reasonable question.
6. Establish clear priorities for the
university.
7. Make decisions transparent to the
university community.
8. Provide opportunities for faculty,
staff and/or students to be involved in
the decision making process.
9.Overall, how well does WSSU upper
administration do in the areas of
transparency of decision making,
communications between all levels of
decision making, and providing
opportunities for all to be represented
in decision making?
156
13.5%
23.7%
30.8%
23.7%
8.3%
156
9.6%
28.8%
26.9%
23.1%
11.5%
155
5.2%
14.8%
33.5%
30.3%
16.1%
155
9.7%
28.4%
32.3%
22.6%
7.1%
156
6.4%
29.5%
37.2%
21.8%
5.1%
156
10.3%
30.8%
34.0%
19.2%
5.8%
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
September, 2011
Spring 2011 WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=158)
Section I: Community Service
How many WSSU-related activities have you participated in the last year?
Questions
Count
1. Academic (e.g. lectures, symposia,
convocation, etc.)
2. Cultural (e.g, Diggs Gallery,
concerts, plays, etc.)
3. Athletic (e.g., track meets, football
games, intramural games, etc.)
4. Governance (e.g., Staff Senate,
Academic Standards and Curriculum
Committee, Faculty Senate, etc.)
0
1-2
3 or more
149
49.7%
38.9%
11.4%
152
42.8%
44.1%
13.2%
152
44.1%
23.7%
32.2%
155
29.7%
33.5%
36.8%
Section J: Customer Service
1. In your opinion, which one area or office consistently provides superior customer service?
Areas
Count
Human Resource
Library
Marketing
IT
Note: Data is only reported for the units that received 5 or more responses.
7
7
5
5
2. In your opinion, which one area or office needs to improve their customer service?
Areas
Count
Human resources
All office
Registrar's Office
Enrollment Management
Note: Data is only reported for the units that received 5 or more responses.
Prepared by Institutional Assessment and Research
September, 2011
20
13
10
7