Results are in on November’s shared governance survey, but University officials are waiting a few more months before giving an official interpretation of what the results mean.

The survey conducted last month consisted of several statements regarding the state of Missouri Southern’s shared governance and how different tiers of employees, such as faculty, staff and administrators, feel about it. Participants could rate on a scale how much they agreed with each statement. Participation was optional, and the Board of Governors, administration, faculty, professional staff and classified staff were surveyed. The exact same survey was conducted in spring 2009. Results from both surveys can be found at mssu.edu/planning/governance/

In the survey’s final question, it makes the statement, “Given reasonable time, the administration, the President, and the Board of Governors respond expeditiously to faculty and staff concerns and to the need for action on institutional issues.”

All four participating members of the Board of Governors said the statement was either “True with Rare Exceptions” or “More True than False.” Of the 11 members who participated from administration, nine responded the same way but, but two said the statement was “More False than True” or “False with Rare Exceptions.”

Twenty-eight percent of participating faculty members found that statement to be more true, while 59 percent thought it was more false. The remaining 12 percent had no opinion.

Of professional staff, 46 percent found the statement more true, and 37 percent felt it was more false. The remaining 16 percent had no opinion.

Of the classified staff, 40 percent said the statement was more true, and 43 percent thought it was more false. The remaining 16 percent had no opinion.

Vice President of Academic Affairs AJ Anglin declined to comment on or discuss the survey results because results can be interpreted in different ways. Because Christmas break is imminent, a committee or task force to analyze the data will begin the process next semester.

“Somehow we need to take that information and decide how to have something done useful with it,” Anglin said. “We all want better governance, and obviously there is not very good satisfaction with governance, particularly with the faculty. And not just the faculty, but particularly with the faculty. And so we have to deal with it.”

Anglin talked about the public forums and efforts from the administration to have a dialogue with the faculty and staff.

“There’s a lot of effort to communicate, but the results would indicate that [the efforts are] not demonstrating significant change,” Anglin said.

He added that the dissatisfaction has built up over time, and it will take time to see significant improvements in campus satisfaction.

Participation

Overall, survey participation was higher in this semester than in 2009’s.

“I’m pleased that more people participated in it, and I’m pleased that in some cases it looks like there’s more positive results,” said University President Bruce Speck during Monday’s Faculty Senate meeting.

At the Board of Governors, faculty, professional staff and classified staff levels, participation was higher. There was one less respondent representing the administration’s opinion in the 2010 survey than in 2009’s.

Overall, there was 64 percent participation in the 2010 survey, as compared to 2009’s 51 percent.

However, even though there was more overall participation, not every group was represented equally. Fifty percent (4 out of 8) of the Board of Governors responded, but there was 80 percent faculty participation and 85 percent from the administration. Also, 62 percent of the professional staff responded, and 44 percent of classified staff.