WSU Honored As ‘Great College to Work For’

OGDEN, Utah – According to a survey commissioned by the Chronicle of Higher Education, Weber State University was honored as a “2015 Great College to Work For.”

The results, released today in The Chronicle’s eighth annual report on The Academic Workplace, are based on an employee survey conducted at 281 colleges and universities nationwide.

In all, only 86 of the 281 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions with Weber State included among the large universities of 10,000 or more students.

This is WSU’s first year of participation. Based on responses from faculty and staff, the university won honors in three of 12 possible categories:
 
  • Job Satisfaction and Support — There is an overall sense that the job is meaningful to the employee and the institution.
  • Work/Life Balance — University policies give employees the flexibility to manage their lives on the job and at home.
  • Facilities, Workspaces and Security — Facilities meet employees' needs; the campus appearance is pleasing and the institution takes steps to provide a secure environment.
“During the first couple of years of my presidency, I’ve come to know that Weber State is a great university to work for, and this survey makes my observations official,” said Charles A. Wight, WSU president. “We will use the survey results to celebrate our strengths and look at opportunities for improvement.”

The survey is one of the largest workplace recognition programs in the country. Now in its eighth year, it recognizes the colleges that get top ratings from their employees on workforce practices and policies.

“The Chronicle’s Great Colleges to Work For program shows how the colleges and universities on the list are getting it right: They’re leaders in creating environments where smart people enjoy their work,” said Liz McMillen, editor, The Chronicle of Higher Education. “The selection process is rigorous, and being named to the list is a tremendous accomplishment, but it also positions colleges and universities well to recruit the people that make them a success.”

To administer the survey and analyze the results, The Chronicle used 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 Great Colleges survey included a two-part assessment process: a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and salaried staff (the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey) and an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies and practices. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received a Great College to Work For recognition was the employee feedback.

“I’m proud faculty and staff members recognize WSU’s policies and practices give them flexibility to manage their lives, also that they find their work meaningful to themselves and the institution,” said Cherrie Nelson, WSU Human Resources assistant vice president. “Additionally, many individuals have worked hard to provide a beautiful campus and great facilities in a safe, secure environment, which is noticed and appreciated by faculty and staff.”

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
 
Author:
Allison Barlow Hess, Director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu
Contact:
Allison Barlow Hess, Director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu