ODU Again Rated One of Nation's Best Colleges to Work For in Chronicle of Higher Education Survey
August 07, 2012
A survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education has, for the second year in a row, named Old Dominion University one of the best colleges in the nation to work for.
The results, released today (Aug. 6) in the Chronicle's fifth annual report on The Academic Workplace, are based on a survey of nearly 47,000 employees, evaluating their colleges in 12 categories, from job satisfaction, to teaching environment, to work-life balance.
In all, only 103 of the 310 institutions achieved "Great College to Work For" recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions, with ODU included among the large universities (10,000 or more students).
ODU also was selected as one of this year's Honor Roll schools, recognition given to schools that are identified as excelling in at least four of the 12 evaluation categories.
"This is a great honor for Old Dominion University, but frankly, it's recognition for the many faculty, staff and administrators who work their hardest to make this institution great," said President John R. Broderick.
Old Dominion received such recognition in an impressive eight of the 12 categories: Collaborative Governance; Professional/Career Development Programs; Teaching Environment (Faculty Only); Job Satisfaction; Work/Life Balance; Supervisor/Department Chair Relationship; Respect and Appreciation; and Diversity.
The publication noted President Broderick's "Monarch Mornings" meetings as an outstanding feature of the university, along with his open-door policy for employees.
ODU was one of 10 large, four-year colleges to make the 2012 Honor Roll, joining schools such as Baylor University and the University of Notre Dame. ODU received the top score among all large schools in the Diversity category.
"Our commitment to creating and maintaining a dynamic learning community with a rich mix of cultures and experiences is a huge part of who we are as a university. The Chronicle recognition further underscores the importance of that approach," Broderick said.
To administer the survey and analyze the results, The Chronicle worked with 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 Chronicle "Great Colleges to Work For" ratings are accompanied by a series of news features showing ways that good relationships with supervisors help great colleges cope with crises, how they foster shared governance and how they create attractive compensation.
A complete list of colleges surveyed, including exceptional performers in the 2012 Honor Roll, is available on The Chronicle website.