Today The Chronicle of Higher Education published the results of its sixth annual Great Colleges to Work For survey. I don’t want to make too much of any college ranking system (this year, I mean — did plenty of it in 2012…), let alone one in which only 300 colleges and universities took part. But since it’s the rare college ranking system that takes into account considerations like employee compensation and satisfaction, work-life balance, collaborative governance, and the “teaching environment,” I thought I’d spill some virtual ink on how it relates to the subset of colleges and universities whose history I research:
Among the 72 four-year colleges recognized were eight members of the evangelical Council for Christian College and Universities, plus Baylor University, a CCCU affiliate. Baylor and four CCCU members were recognized in enough categories that they were placed on the Chronicle Honor Roll.
Baylor University
Categories Recognized: Collaborative Governance; Compensation and Benefits; Confidence in Senior Leadership; Facilities, Workspace & Security; Job Satisfaction; Professional Development Programs; Respect and Appreciation; Supervisor Relationship; Teaching Environment; Tenure Clarity and Process; Work/Life Balance — i.e., every category but Diversity (only the University of Michigan matched this feat)
Outstanding features: “Baylor employees who have taken part in a continuing campuswide wellness initiative have lost a total of nearly 3,500 pounds since the program began, about a year ago. A shared sick-leave program encourages faculty and staff to donate their unused sick days to those in need.”
Belhaven University
Categories: Confidence in Senior Leadership; Job Satisfaction; Professional Development Programs; Respect and Appreciation; Supervisor Relationship; Teaching Environment; Tenure Clarity and Process; Work/Life Balance
Outstanding features: “Belhaven makes committee service optional for faculty (with the exception of an academic-policy committee), to allow more time for teaching and research. Many faculty still volunteer for additional committee service, however. The university will soon complete a new building for its School of Science and Mathematics, for which faculty were involved in the planning process.”
Lee University
Categories: Collaborative Governance; Confidence in Senior Leadership; Facilities, Workspace & Security; Job Satisfaction; Professional Development Programs; Respect and Appreciation; Supervisor Relationship; Teaching Environment; Tenure Clarity and Process
Outstanding features: “The campus child-care facility for employees is partially subsidized by the university. Children and spouses of faculty, staff, and administrators can take university courses at no charge. The children can attend summer camps offered by Lee at discounted fees.”
Nyack College
Categories: Compensation and Benefits; Confidence in Senior Leadership; Job Satisfaction; Respect and Appreciation; Supervisor Relationship; Work/Life Balance
Outstanding features: “Nyack’s senior leaders are focused on establishing a home in New York City for the small, suburban Christian college, in a move that they call the ‘miracle in Manhattan.’ The college will relocate to the city this fall.” (see more on that move here)
Milligan College
Categories: all but Diversity, Facilities, and Work/Life Balance
Outstanding features: “Twice a week, Milligan’s cafeteria has a ‘$1.50 day,’ when faculty and staff can eat a meal for only $1.50. This popular practice encourages employees to socialize with one another as well as with students.”
Other CCCU Members Recognized
- Biola University (5 categories)
- Abilene Christian University (2 categories)
- Hardin-Simmons University (1 category)
- Regent University (1 category)
The Pietist Schoolman 