Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty Affairs General Results of CAPFA Survey Conducted in October 2005

Date: February 17, 2006

To: Virginia Tech Administrative and Professional Faculty

From: Joan E. Moore (jemoore@vt.edu), CAPFA Chair

In the fall, the Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty Affairs (CAPFA) conducted a survey of all Administrative and Professional Faculty (A/P). Of the 776 A/P faculty members employed fall semester, 357 or 46 percent completed the survey. 

CAPFA wishes to thank all who completed the survey. We appreciate the time you took to do this and value your comments.

A summary of the survey responses are included in this message with demographic and other possible identifying responses deleted. CAPFA is in the process of conducting a more detailed analysis of the data and will prepare action plans for the areas of most concern to A/P faculty. The analysis will be shared at a later date.

CAPFA is the representative body for Administrative and Professional Faculty, which are grouped into four areas: Academic Support, Cooperative Extension, General Administration, and Student Affairs. The charge of CAPFA is to study, formulate, and recommend to University Council policies and procedures affecting the employment and working conditions of administrative and professional (A/P) faculty. Areas for consideration include: morale of administrative and professional faculty; procedures for appointing, evaluating, disciplining, recognizing, and promoting administrative and professional faculty; benefits, educational and personal leave, and extra-university professional activity; and matters of equity and diversity that affect the university's professional environment. The Commission is also responsible for reviewing grievances advanced to the level of the Provost or Executive Vice President and to advise them prior to action.

Summary of CAPFA Survey Responses

2) I have confidence in:

a) the leadership of the Board of Visitors and executive administration.
- strongly agree = 67 (19%)
- somewhat agree = 216 (61%)
- somewhat disagree = 51 (14%)
- strongly disagree = 16 (4%)
- no answer = 7 (2%)

b) the leadership of my dean, department head, or director.
- strongly agree = 164 (46%)
- somewhat agree = 120 (34%)
- somewhat disagree = 50 (14%)
- strongly disagree = 22 (6%)
- no answer = 1 (0%)

c) the leadership of my immediate supervisor.
- strongly agree = 187 (52%)
- somewhat agree = 96 (27%)
- somewhat disagree = 42 (12%)
- strongly disagree = 28 (8%)
- no answer = 4 (1%)

3) University Initiatives:

a) Virginia Tech's strategic plan has been clearly communicated to me.
- strongly agree = 77 (22%)
- somewhat agree = 157 (44%)
- somewhat disagree = 83 (23%)
- strongly disagree = 39 (11%)
- no answer = 1 (0%)

b) I understand how the strategic plan impacts my job.
- strongly agree = 65 (18%)
- somewhat agree = 141 (39%)
- somewhat disagree = 104 (29%)
- strongly disagree = 46 (13%)
- no answer = 1 (0%)

c) I believe pursuing the goal of increasing our research stature will improve Virginia Tech in the long run.
- strongly agree = 112 (31%)
- somewhat agree = 164 (46%)
- somewhat disagree = 54 (15%)
- strongly disagree = 23 (6%)
- no answer = 4 (1%)

d) The Virginia Higher Education Restructuring Act (originally pursued as the Charter Initiative; now commonly referred to as “Restructuring”) has been clearly communicated to me.
- strongly agree = 69 (19%)
- somewhat agree = 131 (37%)
- somewhat disagree = 92 (26%)
- strongly disagree = 63 (18%)
- no answer = 2 (1%)

e) I believe that Restructuring will improve Virginia Tech in the long run.
- strongly agree = 85 (24%)
- somewhat agree = 163 (46%)
- somewhat disagree = 74 (21%)
- strongly disagree = 15 (4%)
- no answer = 20 (6%)

f) I have read the Virginia Tech Principles of Community document.
- yes = 243 (68%)
- no = 111 (31%)
- no answer = 3 (1%)

4) Work Environment:

a) Virginia Tech makes people feel comfortable and welcome, and treats people fairly regardless of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
- strongly agree = 119 (33%)
- somewhat agree = 160 (45%)
- somewhat disagree = 48 (13%)
- strongly disagree = 26 (7%)
- no answer = 4 (1%)

b) I have been given adequate opportunities for training and development related to my job.
- strongly agree = 169 (47%)
- somewhat agree = 117 (33%)
- somewhat disagree = 48 (13%)
- strongly disagree = 20 (6%)
- no answer = 3 (1%)

c) There are clearly defined opportunities for my progress and advancement.
- strongly agree = 64 (18%)
- somewhat agree = 134 (38%)
- somewhat disagree = 97 (27%)
- strongly disagree = 61 (17%)
- no answer = 1 (0%)

d) My immediate supervisor clearly communicates job performance expectations.
- strongly agree = 152 (43%)
- somewhat agree = 118 (33%)
- somewhat disagree = 51 (14%)
- strongly disagree = 33 (9%)
- no answer = 3 (1%)

e) My immediate supervisor provides feedback on my job performance at least once a year.
- strongly agree = 210 (59%)
- somewhat agree = 102 (29%)
- somewhat disagree = 25 (7%)
- strongly disagree = 17 (5%)
- no answer = 3 (1%)

f) I am generally satisfied with my work environment.
- strongly agree = 171 (48%)
- somewhat agree = 126 (35%)
- somewhat disagree = 45 (13%)
- strongly disagree = 15 (4%)
- no answer = 0 (0%)

g) I receive fair treatment in my department/unit.
- strongly agree = 197 (55%)
- somewhat agree = 99 (28%)
- somewhat disagree = 38 (11%)
- strongly disagree = 21 (6%)
- no answer = 2 (1%)

h) I would recommend Virginia Tech as a good employer to friends and colleagues.
- strongly agree = 162 (45%)
- somewhat agree = 139 (39%)
- somewhat disagree = 39 (11%)
- strongly disagree = 15 (4%)
- no answer = 2 (1%)

5) Salary:

a) My salary is in line with others at the university who perform similar duties and have comparable qualifications and experience.
- strongly agree = 42 (12%)
- somewhat agree = 103 (29%)
- somewhat disagree = 77 (22%)
- strongly disagree = 71 (20%)
- don't know = 63 (18%)
- no answer = 1 (0%)

b) Salary decisions for A/P faculty are made consistently and fairly.
- strongly agree = 20 (6%)
- somewhat agree = 87 (24%) 
- somewhat disagree = 76 (21%)
- strongly disagree = 79 (22%) 
- don't know = 91 (25%) 
- no answer = 4 (1%)

6) Policies:

a) The Commonwealth of Virginia has good policies and procedures for employee travel reimbursement.
- strongly agree = 40 (11%)
- somewhat agree = 118 (33%)
- somewhat disagree = 88 (25%)
- strongly disagree = 98 (27%)
- don't know = 13 (4%)
- no answer = 0 (0%)

b)As part of my position duties, I must travel:
- daily = 81 (23%)
- weekly = 72 (20%)
- monthly = 89 (25%)
- yearly = 97 (27%)
- never = 17 (5%)
- no answer = 1 (0%)

c) Are there university administrative or business policies which you find problematic?
- yes = 186 (52%)
- no = 149 (42%)
- no answer = 22 (6%)

7) University Governance:

a) My views and issues are adequately represented within the university's system of shared governance.
- yes = 188 (53%)
- no = 132 (37%)
- no answer = 37 (10%)

b) Prior to this survey, I was aware that the Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty Affairs (CAPFA) was my representation in the university governance system.
- yes = 178 (50%)
- no = 174 (29%)
- no answer = 5 (1%)
- on-campus = 196 (55%)
- off-campus = 156 (44%)
- no answer = 5 (1%)