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Methodology
1. What is the methodology for the survey/recognition process? All of the survey administration and recognition analysis is conducted by ModernThink, an organizational development firm with particular survey and “Best Place to Work” expertise. The assessment process for the program consists of two online surveys: the ModernThink Higher Education Institution Questionnaire© (IQ) completed by one or more management representatives at an institution, and the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey© completed by a random sample of full-time Faculty, Administrators and Exempt Professional Staff at each institution. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution receives recognition is the faculty and staff feedback collected from the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey©, assuming a sufficient response rate. (Given the wide range of faculty/employee populations at the participating institutions, there is no minimum threshold that institutions had to achieve to be eligible for consideration. However, in analyzing the data ModernThink reviews confidence levels and confidence intervals to ensure statistical significance.) The information collected through the Institution Questionnaire© (“IQ”) is reviewed and analyzed both for completeness and content. For analysis and recognition purposes, ModernThink first segments the participating schools into a 4-year college category and a 2-year category. Schools within each of these categories are then further classified into three groups based on student enrollment. For the 2009 program, those categories were Small (fewer than 3,000 students), Medium (3,000-9,999 students) and Large (more than 10,000 students). These categories are subject to change based on the applicant pool. Recognition categories are based on either the fifteen survey dimensions or responses to the benefits component of the survey. Representative examples include the following: Healthy Faculty-Administration Relations; Collaborative Governance; Professional/Career Development Programs; Teaching Environment (Faculty Only); Compensation & Benefits; Facilities & Security; and Job Satisfaction. In 2009, we added an Honor Roll recognition category that consists of approximately the top ten schools in each 4-year size category and the top three schools in each 2-year size category based on the number of times they were recognized in the individual recognition categories. Learn more about this process on the Methodology page. 2. How will participating institutions be recognized? The program results including recognized institutions will be published in print in The Chronicle's Academic Workplace Supplement on July 30, 2010. Online previews will be available earlier that week. Click here to see an excerpt from the 2009 supplement. The program recognizes small groups of colleges for specific best practices and policies, such as tenure clarity, collaborative governance, work/life balance and compensation and benefits. Recognition categories are based on either the fifteen survey dimensions or responses to the benefits component of the survey. 3. Is there a minimum survey response rate required to be considered for recognition? On the faculty/staff survey, there is not a specific set response rate number to be eligible for consideration. Given the wide range of faculty/employee populations at the participating institutions, statistical validity varies widely even at the same response rate. Instead, ModernThink reviews confidence levels and confidence intervals to ensure statistical significance. ModernThink reserves the right to eliminate a school where there is not statistical validity. On the IQ, ModernThink reserves the right to eliminate a school where there is not substantive completion of the entire questionnaire. 4. When will we find out if our institution made the list and in what category? The program results including recognized institutions will be published in The Chronicle's Academic Workplace Supplement on July 30, 2010. All institutions will be notified prior to this publication both as to whether they were recognized and if so, in what categories. Press release templates will be available on the Downloads page after the conclusion of the survey. As noted below, there is an embargo on press releases until the publication date. 5. Is there an embargo on press releases? Yes. Recognized institutions may not publicize their results until July 30, 2010. 6. What were the 2009 recognition categories?
Recognition Below Based on Satisfaction Component of Employee Survey
*Please note that there will be fewer recognition categories for the Chronicle Great Colleges 2010 program. 7. Will my institution’s name be released if we are not recognized? No. Because the program is also designed to help colleges improve as workplaces through the individual reports they receive, The Chronicle names only those institutions that scored well enough to be recognized in any category. 8. Can I see a sample of the Chronicle 2009 supplement? The 2009 Supplement is available to review at Chronicle.com/academicworkplace. Paper copies of this publication can also be ordered by contacting The Chronicle Reprint Department at 717.481.8500. 9. Can recognized institutions use the program logo? What are some examples of how other schools have used the logo? Recognized institutions that would like to use the program logo may download a copy of the License Agreement on the Downloads page. The logo will be sent electronically to all schools with a signed License Agreement sometime close to the July 30, 2010 publication date. The Great Colleges logo that can be used on your Web site, promotional materials, and even in your job ads to increase awareness of this recognition. Click here to see how past winners schools have promoted their recognition. If you need the logo in advance for a promotion in print or online, or if you would like to discuss branding opportunities in The Chronicle’s Academic Workplace supplement, please contact Sam Bonfante, Associate Publisher, at 202.466.1749. |
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