2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
Executive Summary
The following document contains the results of the 2009-2010 Staff and Academic Administrator
Survey. This survey was developed, administered and analyzed by the Division of Institutional Planning,
Assessment, and Research. Twenty-nine percent (29%) of the eight hundred and thirty-four (834) noninstructional staff and academic administrators selected for participation in the study completed the
survey. This survey is administered online annually in the fall semester to WSSU staff and academic
administrators. In the past, the survey was designed to collect information about the functioning of
specific divisions/departments. The purpose of the 2009-2010 survey is to assess the overall campus
climate and measure some of the goals put forth in the university’s 2010-2015 Strategic Plan.
Two hundred and forty individuals completed the survey. Slightly over half (54.9%) of the respondents
were classified as SPA, forty percent (40.1 %) were EPA, and 5.1% indicated that they were unsure of
their employment classification. Half (50%) of the respondents indicated that they work in the
Academic Affairs division. Other areas represented included Student Affairs (14.0%), Finance and
Administration (13.6%), the Chancellor’s Office (9.3%), Facilities Management (8.1%), and University
Advancement (3.0%). The majority of respondents (66.5%) indicated that they have worked at WSSU
for six years or less. The majority of respondents indicated that they did not hold a supervisory or
management position (61.7% and 63.3%, respectively).
Working relationships with upper administration were rated less favorably than working relationships
within work units. Approximately eighty percent of the respondents (78.9%) agreed or strongly agreed
that the working relationships between members of their work unit and members of other units were
satisfactory. In comparison, only fifty-one percent of the respondents (51.2%) agreed or strongly agreed
that the working relationships between WSSU staff as a whole and the upper administration in the
university were satisfactory.
Questions regarding Inclusive Governance, Leadership, and Engagement indicated that respondents
rated their work unit and immediate supervisors more favorably than upper administration at WSSU.
Over half of respondents (62.8%) indicated that their immediate supervisor does a good or excellent job
listening to staff in their work unit. In comparison, less than half of respondents (28.9%) indicated that
WSSU upper administration does a good or excellent job listening to ideas from staff.
Ratings on questions regarding involvement in the decision-making process were similar. A relatively
large percentage of respondents (63.6%) indicated their immediate supervisors involved them in the
decision-making process. In contrast, only slightly more than a quarter of the respondents (27.6%)
indicated that WSSU upper administration does a good or excellent job in providing opportunities for
faculty, staff, and/or students to be involved in the decision-making process.
Slightly over half of the respondents (51.6%) indicated that they were not satisfied with the
opportunities for development provided by WSSU. Less than half of the respondents (46.4%) agreed or
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
strongly agreed that the number of full-time employees in their work unit is adequate to get the job done.
Over half of the respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the university provides adequate
salaries to attract (63.2%) and retain (66.2%) capable staff. Over half of the respondents (60.3%)
indicated that WSSU is either known very little or some for leadership and service. Less than half of the
respondents (34.6%) agreed or strongly agreed that the university overall spends money on “the most
important things.”
A relatively large percentage of respondents indicated that they were not able to rate the termination and
grievance procedures. Thirty-nine percent indicated that they did not know if the termination
procedures at the university are fair. Approximately thirty-seven percent (36.9%) of the respondents
indicated that they did not know if the grievance procedures are adequate and contain appropriate
safeguards for the protection of personal and civil rights.
Responses to questions indicated that supervisors were supportive of staff. Approximately eighty
percent of respondents (78.8%) agreed or strongly agreed that their supervisor supports their attempts to
do a better job. Questions regarding the physical environment received favorable ratings. Over half of
the respondents indicated that WSSU provides a safe environment (67.9%) and that the physical
environment contributes to an atmosphere for effective learning by students (77.2%). Over half of the
respondents indicated that that the WSSU culture emphasizes quality work from administrators (58%),
faculty (59.3%), support staff (55.7%), and students (58.9%) most of the time or always.
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
Section A: General Information
1. What is your employment classification?
Employment's Classficiation
(N=237)
5.1%
SPA (Subject to the
Personnel Act)
40.1%
54.9%
EPA (Exempt from the
Personnel Act)
Unsure / Don't know
2. Please select the division in which you work.
Employment's Work Division
(N=236)
50.0%
Academic Affairs
Student Affairs
14.0%
Finance and Administration
13.6%
9.3%
Chancellor's Office
8.1%
Facilities Management
3.0%
University Advancement
Other (Please Specify Below)
1.3%
Unsure / Don't know
0.8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Percentage
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
60%
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
3. How many years have you been employed at WSSU?
Employed's Years at WSSU
(N=236)
7.6%
6.4%
19.5%
0-6
7 - 12
66.5%
13 - 18
More than 18
4. Do you currently hold a supervisory position?
Do you currently hold a supervisory position?
(N=237)
100%
Percentage
80%
61.7%
60%
40%
34.9%
20%
3.4%
0%
Yes
No
Unsure / Don't Know
Responses
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
5. Do you currently hold a management position?
Do you currently hold a management position?
(N=237)
100%
Percentage
80%
63.3%
60%
40%
31.6%
20%
5.1%
0%
Yes
No
Unsure / Don't know
Responses
Section B: Work Climate
Questions
Count
1. The number of full-time employees
in my work unit is adequate to get the
job done.
235
Don't
know
2.6%
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
23.4%
27.7%
37.0%
Strongly
Agree
9.4%
In general, working relationships are satisfactory between:
Questions
Count
Don't
know
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
2. Staff and Faculty.
237
5.1%
6.8%
14.3%
64.6%
9.3%
3. Staff and Students.
235
5.5%
2.6%
8.9%
68.9%
14.0%
236
0.4%
9.3%
12.7%
54.7%
22.9%
236
7.2%
12.7%
28.8%
47.0%
4.2%
237
1.7%
5.5%
13.9%
66.2%
12.7%
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.
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
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
238
0.4%
18.5%
31.5%
43.7%
5.9%
2. Supervisors
237
1.3%
5.1%
14.3%
68.4%
11.0%
3. Supplies
237
0.8%
13.5%
29.5%
50.6%
5.5%
4. Equipment
237
0.8%
10.1%
26.6%
55.7%
6.8%
5. Computer resources
235
0.4%
5.1%
23.4%
61.3%
9.8%
6. Physical facilities
235
3.4%
11.1%
24.3%
54.5%
6.8%
7. Training needed to do my job.
237
0.8%
14.8%
29.1%
52.3%
3.0%
234
4.3%
30.3%
32.9%
30.3%
2.1%
234
4.3%
33.3%
32.9%
27.4%
2.1%
237
11.8%
25.7%
27.8%
32.9%
1.7%
8. Salaries to attract capable staff to
my work unit.
9. Salaries to retain capable staff to
my work unit.
10. Overall, does the university spend
money on the most important things?
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
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
236
15.3%
16.5%
23.7%
41.5%
3.0%
236
9.7%
14.8%
25.4%
44.5%
5.5%
236
11.0%
14.8%
26.3%
42.4%
5.5%
238
39.1%
10.1%
12.2%
34.9%
3.8%
236
36.9%
10.2%
15.7%
33.9%
3.4%
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.
237
6.3%
5.1%
11.4%
67.1%
10.1%
2. WSSU provides a safe environment
(sound building structures, adequate
sidewalks, adequate lighting) for all
members of the campus community.
237
4.2%
5.1%
22.8%
59.5%
8.4%
3. The university provides sufficient
space conducive to informal cultural
and intellectual exchanges.
237
11.0%
5.5%
24.9%
53.6%
5.1%
4. The campus has a variety of spaces
to encourage student learning.
237
13.1%
3.0%
18.6%
57.4%
8.0%
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
Section F: Development and Support
Questions
Count
Don't
know
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
1. My supervisor values employees
236
2.5%
7.6%
14.0%
who try to do a good job.
2. My supervisor supports my attempts
236
2.5%
8.9%
9.7%
to do a better job.
To what extent do you feel that the WSSU culture emphasizes
quality work from the following groups?
Most
Don't
Questions
Count
Never
Often
know
Not
Most
of the
Time
3. Administrators
238
16.4%
5.9%
19.7%
42.9%
15.1%
4. Faculty
236
19.9%
3.4%
17.4%
47.0%
12.3%
5. Support staff
237
11.0%
5.5%
27.8%
42.6%
13.1%
6. Students
236
19.1%
2.1%
19.9%
44.9%
14.0%
Questions
42.8%
33.1%
42.8%
36.0%
To what extent do you feel that the WSSU provides the opportunities
for development in the form of . . .
Most
Most
Don't
Count
Never
Often
of the
know
Not
Time
Always
Always
7. Staff development workshops.
238
9.7%
7.6%
33.6%
43.7%
5.5%
8. Attendance at professional meetings.
238
10.5%
8.8%
41.2%
36.1%
3.4%
9. In-Service training.
236
11.4%
8.9%
37.3%
36.4%
5.9%
Question
Count
10. Overall, I am satisfied with
opportunities for development provided
by WSSU.
236
Don't
know
4.7%
Strongly
Disagree Agree
Disagree
16.9%
34.7%
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
41.1%
Strongly
Agree
2.5%
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
Section G: Branding
Questions
Count
1. To what extent is WSSU known for
leadership and service?
2. To what extent are leadership and
service evident in most learning
experiences and activities sponsored by
the university?
Don't
know
Very
Little
Some
Quite
a Bit
Very
Much
234
10.7%
20.1%
40.2%
24.8%
4.3%
232
15.9%
11.6%
45.3%
22.0%
5.2%
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
237
1.7%
18.6%
16.9%
31.6%
31.2%
236
0.4%
18.2%
16.1%
32.6%
32.6%
236
3.4%
16.9%
16.1%
30.5%
33.1%
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 plain and clear to the
university community.
8. Provide opportunities for faculty,
staff and/or students to be involved in
the decision making process.
235
20.0%
26.4%
24.7%
25.1%
3.8%
236
13.6%
26.3%
26.7%
27.5%
5.9%
234
10.7%
17.5%
26.5%
34.2%
11.1%
230
9.7%
22.5%
25.8%
31.4%
10.6%
235
12.3%
34.5%
25.5%
23.8%
3.8%
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
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
233
30.9%
39.9%
29.2%
233
38.2%
41.2%
20.6%
232
43.1%
24.6%
32.3%
234
32.1%
35.9%
32.1%
Section J: Customer Service
1. In your opinion, which one area or office consistently provides superior customer service?
Areas
Academic Affairs
Finance
Student Affairs
O'Kelly Library
Provost Office
Facilities
Housing and Residence Life
Chancellor's Office
Enrollment Management
Finance and Administration
Count
Note: Data is only reported for the units that received 5 or more responses.
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
19
19
13
11
8
8
6
5
5
5
2009 – 2010 Academic Year WSSU Staff and Academic Administrator Survey
(N=240)
Section J: Customer Service (Continued)
2. In your opinion, which one area or office needs to improve their customer service?
Areas
Financial Aid
Human Resources
Office of the Registrar
Admissions
Billings and Receivables
Enrollment Management
Purchasing
Count
Note: Data is only reported for the units that received 5 or more responses.
Prepared by Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research
March 15, 2010
53
21
19
11
7
5
5