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Faculty morale survey shows stability with targeted areas for follow‑up, Radford faculty report says
Summary
Radford’s faculty morale survey, presented June 6, found largely flat or modestly improved perceptions in many categories, a 64% response rate and identified discrete areas (department leadership, faculty senate representation) for follow‑up.
Dr. Matthew Close, faculty representative to the Board of Visitors, summarized results of the Radford University faculty morale survey during the June 6 meeting and outlined next steps for using the data to inform institutional responses.
The survey, conducted in spring 2024 and reported by the campus environment committee, received 272 responses — about 64% of eligible faculty at that time — and combined quantitative Likert items with coded open‑ended comments. Close described the survey as a tool to assess faculty views on teaching, research, service, institutional support and governance.
Close said most measures were flat or showed modest increases compared with the previous faculty morale survey. He pointed to measurable improvements in faculty perceptions of the provost’s leadership but said one department‑level item related to the chair role declined and will be examined further. “If university governance is in disarray, faculty are going to be unhappy and unsatisfied in their jobs,” Close said, framing why governance issues are an important part of faculty morale.
Close explained the university alternates an external COACHE (Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education) survey in some years with the internal faculty morale instrument in others; COACHE results for the most recent administration were expected in July. The campus environment committee and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness will work with faculty and administration to identify implementable improvements, Close said, emphasizing continuous improvement rather than immediate fixes.
Close described how qualitative comments were coded (positive, neutral, negative, mixed) and summarized, and he said the faculty senate will convert the survey findings into committee charges and recommendations for the administration. The report will be made available to board members and the campus community for further review.
