Weber State University professors are more satisfied with their jobs and working conditions than colleagues nationwide, according to a Higher Education Research Institute survey.
The survey also shows that more WSU professors list themselves as conservative, receive job offers elsewhere and are not as interested in research as their national colleagues.Women on the faculty have higher regard for students and colleagues and are more involved in campus activities. However, they are less likely to have tenure and are more financially stressed, the survey indicated.
"We have a disproportionately high number of men who are tenured and a disproportionately low number of women who are tenured," said Bob Smith, WSU's provost.
The Higher Education Research Institute, located at the University of California, Los Angeles, surveyed 29,771 faculty at 289 colleges. Questions focused on faculty demographics, activities and attitudes. Schools are invited to participate in the survey, conducted every three years.
WSU's response rate of 61 percent was identical to the national average. Smith said WSU participants closely resembled the total faculty in rank and tenure, so the survey is good for comparative information.
About 84 percent of WSU faculty said they are satisfied with their jobs and 79 percent with working conditions.
Sixty-six percent said faculty and administrators are not at odds with each other, and 84 percent are satisfied with their work assignments.
In all these categories, WSU ranked at least 8 to 12 percent above the national average.
Kathryn MacKay, a history professor and coordinator for WSU's women's studies program, was skeptical about one finding. The survey said 63 percent of professors say they are interested in hiring women.
But there is a big gap between hiring and retaining female professors, MacKay said.
"I think a lot of men value hiring women, but few understand what it means to create a support network to retain the women they hire," she said.
The survey also showed that 63 percent of the female respondents said tenure is an outdated concept.
MacKay, who was the first woman hired for a tenure-track position in her department, said most female professors are young and are paid less money. But they tend to be more involved in committee and campus work than their male colleagues, she said.
"Many of us are under even greater scrutiny to do well just to be allowed to stay. I feel we do more to earn our place," MacKay said.