Washington and Lee Named a 2013 Great College to Work For
A survey conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education has recognized Washington and Lee University as one of its 2013 Great Colleges to Work For.
The results, released in the Chronicle’s sixth annual report on the academic workplace, are based on a survey of more than 44,688 employees at 300 colleges and universities.
In all, only 97 of the 300 institutions, including 76 four-year institutions, achieved recognition as a Great College to Work For, for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions, with Washington and Lee included among the small universities with 2,999 or fewer students.
Washington and Lee won awards in three categories:
- Compensation and Benefits
- Facilities, Workspace and Security
- Job Satisfaction
The survey results are based on a two-part assessment: an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered randomly to members of the University community. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.
The survey was given to a random group of 400 faculty, administrators and staff, and the overall response rate was 37 percent.
“Washington and Lee’s people make the University the distinctive place it is, and we are pleased to have been recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education in this way,” said Steve McAllister, vice president for finance and treasurer at W&L.
Amy Diamond Barnes, executive director of human resources at W&L, said that she was particularly pleased that the Chronicle has begun to survey the entire population of employees as part of the Great Colleges to Work For program.
“Since we have been committed to surveying all segments of the University community at least every third year, we have consistently requested that the Chronicle expand its survey to include all work groups,” she said. “We are delighted, therefore, to be recognized in these three categories as part of a more complete survey of workplace satisfaction.”
The Chronicle worked with ModernThink L.L.C., a strategic human capital consulting firm that has conducted numerous Best Places to Work programs, surveying hundreds of thousands of employees nationwide.
“In light of increasing public concern about the cost of higher education, the Chronicle is focused more than ever on providing the necessary information that helps our readers make informed choices,” said Liz McMillen, editor of the Chronicle. “What we find year after year in the Great Colleges survey is that many educators and administrators are also thinking more critically about how to improve the cost-effectiveness and workplace efficiency of their institutions. The Great Colleges Program is our way of highlighting their efforts.”
Great Colleges to Work For is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all the results of the survey, visit the Chronicle’s website at http://chronicle.com/academicworkplace
