Staff survey indicates individual UNT groups place high priority on students, diversity

A report based on the results of the 2002 UNT Staff Survey is now available online for the UNT community to read at www.unt.edu/planning. According to Allen Clark, senior institutional research analyst in university planning, 90 percent of survey participants perceive that their departments place a high priority on students and 89.6 percent of survey participants perceive that their departments are supportive of efforts to recruit and retain ethnic minority employees.

The survey also shows that staff members feel stressed in carrying out their duties.

"Staff indicated that the No. 1 reason their jobs are stressful is because of a heavy workload," Clark says. "Less frequently cited reasons were relationships with their supervisors and relationships with higher administration. The survey did not indicate the level of severity of the respondents' stress. However, staff indicated using multiple methods to minimize the effects of stress, including walking, listening to music and taking breaks."

In addition to job stress and stress management, the survey questioned staff members about balancing job and family.

The 2002 survey, which was conducted in March, is the first staff survey conducted since 1997. The Office of University Planning will continue to survey staff every two to three years.

The completed report has been presented to the Staff Council and will be discussed by vice presidents and department heads to determine how the university can work to help address areas of concern.

Of the 2,100 surveys distributed to retirement-eligible staff, 853 (41 percent) were returned — twice the return rate of the 1997 survey.

BY MICHELLE HALE mhale@unt.edu

Other web resources

• UNT Staff Survey

Other featured articles in this issue

• Mean Green soars to grab bowl win
• UNT lays out plans for future expansion onto Eagle Point Golf Course property
• Beautification Committee continues work on campus appearance
• Weather closing information
• Faculty Senate holds final meeting of 2002
• Success of holiday drives helps local families
• Special award recognizes longtime faculty member
• UNT departments move to new locations
• Changes may be coming to faculty workload policy

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