Senate Effectiveness Assessment
2022
The survey ran during the spring 2022 semester from March 15 to April 10. 76 senators were invited and 48 responded. Three recused themselves from the survey (to avoid potential conflicts of interest). The response rate was 48/73 = 65.8%. Responses to questions 7,9,10, and 11 were distinctive. The open-ended question (Q.15) generally showed positive results with a minor theme of requests for more information (e.g., "a primer") for new Senate members. This report includes figures and tables created by the Qualtrics survey platform and a listing of all responses to question 15.
Following the tables are responses to the open-ended question, with planned or executed steps to address problems included
Senate materials, including actionable items, are distributed in a manner by which each item is easy to identify.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
58.33% |
28 |
|
2 |
Agree |
35.42% |
17 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
4.17% |
2 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
Senate materials, including actionable items, are distributed in a manner by which each item is easy to find.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
52.08% |
25 |
|
2 |
Agree |
37.50% |
18 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
6.25% |
3 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
4.17% |
2 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
Senate materials, including actionable items, are consistently distributed one week prior to each Senate meeting.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
64.58% |
31 |
|
2 |
Agree |
29.17% |
14 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
4.17% |
2 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
Meetings are run efficiently, according to Robert’s Rules.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
56.25% |
27 |
|
2 |
Agree |
31.25% |
15 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
10.42% |
5 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
All opinions are given a chance to be heard at meetings.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
54.17% |
26 |
|
2 |
Agree |
37.50% |
18 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
Voting is done in an efficient manner.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
56.25% |
27 |
|
2 |
Agree |
39.58% |
19 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
All items approved by the Senate are acted upon inasmuch as they are feasible.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
37.50% |
18 |
|
2 |
Agree |
54.17% |
26 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
6.25% |
3 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
All items put before the Senate are dispensed with according to Senate protocols.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
37.50% |
18 |
|
2 |
Agree |
56.25% |
27 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
6.25% |
3 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
Senate actions promote the welfare of the college.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
43.75% |
21 |
|
2 |
Agree |
41.67% |
20 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
6.25% |
3 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
8.33% |
4 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
I am aware of my role in college governance as a senator.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
58.33% |
28 |
|
2 |
Agree |
35.42% |
17 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
4.17% |
2 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
2.08% |
1 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
I am aware of my duties in the college as a senator.
|
# |
Answer |
% |
Count |
|
1 |
Strongly Agree |
58.33% |
28 |
|
2 |
Agree |
31.25% |
15 |
|
3 |
Slightly agree |
6.25% |
3 |
|
4 |
Slightly disagree |
4.17% |
2 |
|
5 |
Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
6 |
Strongly Disagree |
0.00% |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
48 |
|
What comments do you have to share regarding the function of the Senate? |
|
None |
|
Juggling the in-person/online audience has been challenging - keep up the good work! |
|
The senate never goes against the administration on anything brought to the senate because votes are a matter of public record and many senators are afraid. A perfect case in point is pathways. The vast majority of faculty were opposed to pathways but when it came to a vote the senate caved to the administration. There are lots of other examples as well. |
|
Nothing at the moment |
|
I'm unsure how the actions of the senate benefit the college, beyond approving new courses/deleting old ones |
|
I think it is quite efficient and appreciate being a member. |
|
Wish there was more of a primer for a new senator on what the expectations and protocols are for the position |
|
No comments |
|
Thank you |
|
N/A |
|
Function of the Senate seems to be working appropriately. |
|
None |
|
No comments. Everythinng has been clearly answered in this survey. |
|
I think it functions well and I enjoy working with my colleagues there. |
|
None. It goes smoothly. |
|
Although all opinions are given a chance to be heard at meetings some senators are reluctant to speak. The popular opinion is usually well accepted, whereas diverse opinions are often met with negative reactions. Senators should never feel any pressure to vote in favor or against something. In my opinion, senators may be reluctant to voice and vote against the majority (or popular viewpoint). |
|
It's going well. |
|
The Senate has functioned well after pivoting online during the pandemic. |
|
None |
|
No comment |
|
NA |
|
Senate needs to take more actions regarding shared governance with academic matters such as determining instructional modalities, prioritizing supports and services in the college budget and assessing academic integrity and ethics in the operation of the college and its governance. |
|
A primer or resource that explains the function & processes of the Senate & and responsibilities of Senators may be helpful to new Senators. The creation of which may afford opportunity for other improvements. |
|
The Senate meetings are well-run and efficient. |
|
Is there an onboarding process for new Senators? If there isn't, could one be developed? |
|
None |
|
I think the Senate is doing a great job. |
|
None |
|
The Senate does not feel collaborative or inclusive. A few folks take it upon themselves to dominate every meeting. I've never spoken in a meeting because I feel intimidated and pressured not to say anything that might give the appearance of "making waves." Beyond being told that Senate membership would look good on my CV, I was never given any guidance on what my role as a senator representing my department would entail. Unless the structure of Senate meetings changes in a way that makes it feel like a more welcoming and inclusive body, I don't plan to run for re-election. |
|
It would be nice to have the senate discuss more about common issues facing the college beyond typical fair like bylaws, micro credentials and class proposals and talk openly about student attendance, grade inflation, and other problems all departments are facing |
|
i am please with how the Senate functions. No concerns. |
|
none |
|
great leadership of the Senate |
|
Thank you |
|
All OK< it's well done . |
|
n/a |
|
In my opinion fear and /or indifference shape(s) many individuals’ votes |
|
N/A |
|
Overall, The Senate process is excellent. There was a seamless transition to a new Technician. |
|
The Senate is a political body; sometimes, in a collegium made up faculty and administrators, it's not always easy to defer to political process. But that's the nature of a Senate, and I do think the Senate leadership does its best, given the challenge. |
|
Na |
|
The Senate meetings are conducted well. |
|
none |
|
more voices of junior faculty are needed |
|
none as of yet |
|
I believe the Senate meetings are functioning well considering the loss of Dave and covid. |
|
N/A |
|
I feel the Senate runs well. |
Discussion:
Streamline materials distribution attachments
Increase mentorship of new senators – “office hours” implemented, continue Senate Buddy process, increase resources in welcome letter, new senators meeting each Fall, create “What Senate/senators Do” page
Reluctance to speak – Chair will encourage all opinions to be heard, especially junior faculty
Limited scope of meetings -- Encourage discussion of common issues of college – grade inflation, attendance, retention etc.
Dominance by some senators -- Create more inclusive atmosphere, especially during unfinished business, invite senators who haven’t spoken before to speak up.
Senate should act on: instructional modalities, prioritizing supports and services in the college budget and assessing academic integrity and ethics, among others – Remind senators of Motions process to form exploratory Senate subcommittee, Steering Committee role as liaison to administration, FEC role.
