Russell Sears
Library
GCC Campus Climate Study
Combined Results
Common Questions from Faculty & Staff Booklets
Fall 2001
Conducted by:
Survey Research Laboratory,
Arizona State University
Results
The following pages present the results of the GCC Campus Climate Study. This booklet
contains results for the questions which were common across the faculty and staff versions of
the study. Two separate reports present the results for the faculty respondents and the staff
respondents, including the questions which only appeared on one form or the other of the
survey.
Some questions were identical between the faculty and staff versions, and some asked about
the same subject using the terms appropriate to each group (e.g., "RFP" and "Employee Group
Manual"). Where the staff question wording differed, the text of the staff question is shown in
italics following the faculty wording. The question numbers shown are those from the faculty
survey booklet.
The questions and responses appear below as they did in the survey booklets. Each response is
preceded by the proportion and number of respondents who marked that choice. Responses of
"Can't Rate" and "Don't Know" are included in the calculation of proportions. Caution should be
used in comparing the proportions of responses between items with widely different numbers
of "Can't Rate" responses.
There were 370 total respondents. The total number of respondents shown for each question is
usually somewhat smaller than this due to item non-response (where a respondent made no
mark on the survey for a question). Also, there are some pairs of questions where respondents
were instructed to skip the follow-up question depending on their answer to the first question
(e.g., 012/013, 042/043, and 048/049-050). For these questions the number of respondents
shown for the follow-up question excludes those whose answer to the first question indicated
that they should not answer the follow-up question.
Ouestions 4 and 9 allowed responses from 1 to 10. Because of this range, and because some
respondents marked mid-points (e.g., 2.5), the results are shown as the mean and standard
deviation. To help visualize the responses, the results are also shown as histograms.
Instructions:
This study is being conducted for Gee by the ASU Survey Research Laboratory (SRL).
Your survey booklet will go directly to the SRL, and the results will only be published as group
outcomes. No one at Gee will ever see your individual answers. The SRL will also be careful not
to publish any results for a group that would be so small that someone could guess the identity
of any respondent. Your participation is highly encouraged, yet it is voluntary, and no one at
Gee, the other colleges, the District Office, or the Governing Board will ever know that you
partici pated.
On the back page is a stamped mail control number. The SRL will cut this off as soon as they
receive this booklet, and enter it into a database that shows who needs to get a reminder to fill
out the survey. Please do not write your name anywhere on this survey booklet.
Please seal your completed survey booklet in the pre-paid envelope and place it in any U.S.
mailbox.
The SRL has conducted many surveys on sensitive issues, and we have never violated the
confidentiality of any respondent. Please be assured that we will treat your responses with the
same care.
If you have any questions about the procedures used in this study, please contact the Director
of the SRL, Shapard Wolf, at 480-965-5009 or shap.wolf@asu.edu.
Unless the instructions for a question state otherwise, please mark only one answer per
question. You may use pen or pencil.
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions.
1. How would you characterize overall morale at GCC today?
4% 15 Very High
28% 102 High
44% 162 Average
16% 58 Weak
7% 24 Very Weak
2% 7 Can't Rate
2. "I feel that I play an important part in teaching and learning at GCc."
How much do you agree or disagree with this statement?
58% 210 Strongly Agree
31% 112 Somewhat Agree
7% 27 Somewhat Disagree
4% 16 Strongly Disagree
3. "GCC has a distinct role as an institution of academic quality in the MCCD."
How much do you agree or disagree with this statement?
68% 249 Strongly Agree
25% 92 Somewhat Agree
5% 18 Somewhat Disagree
1% 4 Strongly Disagree
1% 5 Can't Rate
Page 4
4. How do you see GCe's mission in response to the challenge of growing enrollment?
(Mark the position along the line below that best reflects your opinion.) .-----------,
Preserve high standards Maintain quality as much
of student achievement as possible while
and let quality drive growth maximizing growth
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
"The mean was 5
(the midpoint of the
scale is 5.5),
however the
standard deviation
was large at 2.78.
The chart to the left
shows the wide
distribution of
responses.
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 5
5. Have morale problems been caused by disagreements about what should be the top
priorities for GCC?
26% 95 Yes, A Lot
38% 138 Yes, Some
17% 61 No
20% 73 Can't Rate
6. Do you think overall morale is better, about the same, or worse since President Pollack
came to GCe?
23% 84 Better
24% 88 About The Same
26% 97 Worse
27% 99 Can't Rate
7. Administrators and faculty may sometimes have different interpretations of the
Residential Faculty Policies (RFP). Is this a problem at GCe?
Supervisors and staffmay sometimes have different interpretations of the employee
group's Policy Manual. /s this a problem at Gee?
10% 37 Very Serious Problem
22% 81 Serious Problem
40% 145 Not Very Serious Problem
10% 36 Not A Problem At All
18% 67 Can't Rate
8. To what extent do you think rumors affect the spirit of cooperation and trust at GCe?
21% 76 Very Serious Problem
41% 150 Serious Problem
25% 91 Not Very Serious Problem
4% 16 Not A Problem At All
9% 34 Can't Rate
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 6
9. How do you believe GCC faculty are viewed by the following persons and groups?
How do you believe Gee support staffare viewed by the following persons and groups?
As "mere employees," as "central to the heart and soul" of the college, or somewhere inbetween?
(Mark the position along each line below that best reflects your opinion.)
by the President: mean=5.9, standard deviation=2.75
"Mere Employees" "Central to Heart and Soul"
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
by the Deans: mean=6.2, standard deviation=2.48
"Mere Employees" "Central to Heart and Soul"
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
by the GCC Staff (Answered by faculty): mean=6.2, standard deviation=2.30
"Mere Employees" "Central to Heart and Soul"
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions.
by the Gee Faculty (Answered by staff): mean=6.1, standard deviation=2.65
"Mere Employees" "Central to Heart and Soul"
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
by the students: mean=6.7, standard deviation=2.34
"Mere Employees" "Central to H~art and Soul"
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Page 7
~~---.-•••••-I.I-I
by the community: mean=6.2, standard deviation=2.23
"Mere Employees" "Central to Heart and Soul"
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10. How much influence do you believe faculty have in decision-making?
27% 99 Too Much
32% 118 About Right
27% 101 Not Enough
3% 11 Not At All
11% 41 Can't Rate
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions.
11. How much influence do you believe staff have in decision-making?
10% 35 Too Much
29% 105 About Right
39% 143 Not Enough
11% 39 Not At All
13% 46 Can't Rate
Page 8
12. The President's Executive Committee (PEC, now called President's Advisory Committee)
is an advisory group to the President, composed of members of all employee groups.
Since the creation of PEC, does the faculty have more or less influence on decisionmaking?
Since the creation of PEC, does the staffhave more or less influence on decisionmaking?
19% 71 More
28% 103 AboutThe Same (skip 013)
18% 66 Less
35% 127 Can't Rate (skip 013)
13. If you believe faculty influence has changed, do you believe that the change in faculty
influence is for the better or for the worse?
If you believe staff influence has changed, do you believe that the change in staff
influence is for the better or for the worse?
10% 14 Much Better
36% 50 Better
30% 42 Worse
14% 20 Much Worse
4% 6 Influence Didn't Change
5% 7 Can't Rate
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 9
18. Sometimes the President accepts faculty recommendations and sometimes she rejects
them. When rejecting faculty recommendations, would you say that the President gives
persuasive reasons?
Sometimes the President accepts staff recommendations and sometimes she rejects
them. When rejecting staff recommendations, would you say that the President gives
persuasive reasons?
14% 51 Usually
14% 53 Often
17% 61 Sometimes
8% 31 Seldom
8% 31 Rarely
38% 142 Can't Rate
19. When decisions are being made on difficult or controversial issues, would you say the
Deans have about the right amount of influence on the President, too much or too little?
14% 51 Too Much
31% 113 About Right
12% 44 Too Little
2% 6 None At All
42% 154 Can't Rate
20. How often do you agree with the decisions the President makes?
3% 9 Always
51% 181 Often
37% 130 Sometimes
9% 31 Rarely
1% 3 Never
21. How often do you agree with the decisions the Deans make?
2% 6 Always
53% 188 Often
38% 134 Sometimes
6% 20 Rarely
1% 4 Never
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 10
22. Does your department chair provide faculty with enough information to participate in
decision-making?
Does your supervisor provide staff with enough information to participate in college
activities?
32% 115 Always
32% 116 Often
19% 68 Sometimes
15% 55 Rarely
3% 11 Never
24. Some people believe that when different employee groups are asked for their input on
important decisions, administrators disregard, distort, or misrepresent what the
employees have said. Other people do not believe this is the case.
How often, if ever, do you believe that this occurs at GCe?
4% 13 Always
23% 83 Often
32% 117 Sometimes
20% 72 Rarely
1% 5 Never
21% 77 Can't Rate
Gee Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 11
25. Some people may think others are not treated fairly, or that they may be given special
breaks in hiring, raises or job reclassifications. Others do not believe this happens at
Gee.
Do you think persons in each of the categories below are treated fairly at Gee, treated
unfairly, or do you think they get special breaks?
(Mark one box in each row.)
I rearea I rearea Get:~k~~al Fairly Unfairly at at Don't
at Gee Gee Gee Know
Faculty 52% 186 9% 32 22% 81 17% 62
Staff 54% 193 21% 76 6% 23 18% 66
Administrators 42% 149 4% 16 31% 110 23% 84
Men 67% 239 7% 25 6% 21 20% 72
Women 65% 25 9% 33 18% 66
Minority group members 46% 41 25% 92 17% 61
Non-minority group members 63% 226 11% 38 4% 16 22% 78
Persons who are not of U.S. 6% 10% 37 31%
Persons with certain relig
3% 3% 11 35% 125
Veterans 57% 205 1% 4 5% 17 37% 132
Persons with disabilities
(aside from ADA 60% 216 2% 7 11% 39 27% 97
accom modations)
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and
49% 176 5% 18 8% 28 38% 138
transgendered persons
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 12
26. Do you hold back from voicing your opinion or participating in college activities and
committees because you worry that actions may be taken against you, or do you speak
out?
(Faculty answers about staff are combined with staff answers about faculty; faculty
answers about other faculty are combined with staff answers about other staff.)
Usually Sometimes Sometimes Usually Can't
Because of actions by: hold back hold back speak out speak out Rate
......-..~.-.
19% 70 12% 44 17% 60 25% 88 27% 97
Deans 18% 66 : 12% 42 18% 64 ' 30% 108 22% 77
...... ........ ........._......._.......- ········5epartm-ent-c~~~~= 14% 51 12% 43 15% 53 43% 152 16% 58
............M ........._ ......._ •••••••••............._ ••• _ ....................._ ........._••••• _
Other facultylOther staff 8% 30 13% 46 16% 59 49% 176 13% 47
F :ultylStaff 13% 46 12% 43 17% 61 40% 141 18% 65
MCCD ,u .., I cUUI:> 18% 64 15% 52 15% 52 22% 78 30% 107
Other: ________________ 16% 14 7% 6 4% 4 22% 20 51% 46
29. Should department chairs be expected to represent overall faculty interests when
serving on college-wide committees, over the interests of their own departments?
Should supervisors be expected to represent overall staff interests when serving on
college-wide committees, over the interests of their own departments?
35% 129 Strongly Agree
33% 121 Somewhat Agree
16% 58 Somewhat Disagree
11% 40 Strongly Disagree
5% 18 Can't Rate
31. Overall, how fairly do you believe that resources (staff, space, and money) are allocated
among departments?
10% 37 Very Fairly
36% 132 Somewhat Fairly
23% 86 Somewhat Unfairly
22% 79 Not Fairly At All
9% 33 Can't Rate
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 13
32. How fairly do you believe the Deans distribute those funds that are under their control?
15% 54 Very Fairly
35% 128 Somewhat Fairly
19% 71 Somewhat Unfairly
12% 42 Not Fairly At All
19% 70 Can't Rate
33. Do you believe that disputes between faculty and administrators are resolved fairly at
GCC?
Do you believe that.conflicts between staffand supervisors are resolved fairly at GCC?
4% 13 Always
28% 103 Often
35% 129 Sometimes
11% 41 Rarely
4% 15 Never
18% 64 Can't Rate
34. Do you believe that disputes between faculty members affect the climate at GCe?
Do you believe that disputes between staffmembers affect the climate at GCe?
44% 160 Strong Negative Effect
33% 120 Weak Negative Effect
7% 27 No Effect
3% 11 Weak Positive Effect
3% 11 Strong Positive Effect
9% 34 Can't Rate
35. Do disagreements over difficult issues affect the climate at GCe?
2% 7 I don't believe there are disagreements about difficult issues at GCC
28% 100 Very Strong Negative Impact
44% 161 Somewhat Strong Negative Impact
8% 28 Neutral Or No Impact
3% 11 Weak Positive Impact
3% 11 Strong Positive Impact
12% 45 Can't Rate
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 14
36. Can persons at GCC discuss difficult issues without the conversation becoming uncivil?
3% 11 Always
33% 120 Often
41% 150 Sometimes
12% 44 Rarely
2% 7 Never
9% 33 Can't Rate
37. Do you believe that GCC administrators act in good faith when working to resolve
differences in interpretation of the RFP?
Do you believe that Gee administrators act in good faith when working to resolve
differences in interpretation of the employee group Policy Manuals?
13% 48 Always
32% 117 Often
24% 89 Sometimes
11% 41 Rarely
2% 7 Never
17% 62 Can't Rate
38. Do the statements and actions of the Dean of instruction (Dean Abel) inspire trust?
48% 175 Mostly True
31% 113 More True Than False
3% 12 More False Than True
4% 16 Mostly False
13% 49 Can't Rate
39. Do the statements and actions of the Dean of Administrative Services (Dean Elsner)
inspire trust?
19% 69 Mostly True
26% 96 More True Than False
18% 66 More False Than True
13% 49 Mostly False
23% 85 Can't Rate
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 15
40. Do the statements and actions of the Dean of Educational Services (Dean Sanchez)
inspire trust?
30% 108 Mostly True
32% 118 More True Than False
11% 39 More False Than True
3% 12 Mostly False
24% 89 Can't Rate
41. Do the statements and actions of the GCC President (President Pollack) inspire trust?
30% 109 Mostly True
34% 123 More True Than False
14% 53 More False Than True
11% 40 Mostly False
11% 41 Can't Rate
42. Some people believe that the GCC campus is divided into groups with different attitudes
towards the President, while others do not believe the campus is divided in this way.
Do you believe that the GCC campus is divided into groups like this?
79% 290 Yes
13%
8%
46
30
No (skip Q 43)
Don't Know (skip Q 43)
43. If you do believe the campus is divided into groups, what do you believe their impact is
on the campus climate at GCe?
1% 2 I don't believe the campus is divided like this.
54% 158 Strong Negative Impact
33% 95 Weak Negative Impact
6% 17 Neutral Or No Impact
2% 5 Weak Positive Impact
1% 2 Strong Positive Impact
4% 11 Can't Rate
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 16
44. How effectively do you believe the President represents GCC to the following entities?
Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Can't
~rr ....u. "r rr LI :~ IV IV Rate
Community 42% 154 30% 111 7% 26 6% 2 51
MCCD Administration 27% 97 30% 111 14% 50 9% 72
Legislature 22% 78 , 26% 95 7% 26 7% 27 38% 136
45. "The President has expressed a clear direction for the future of GCc." Do you:
26% 96 Strongly Agree
37% 137 Somewhat Agree
11% 41 Somewhat Disagree
11% 39 Strongly Disagree
15% 54 Can't Rate
46. How much do you agree or disagree with the President's direction for the future of the
college?
26% 93 Strongly Agree
37% 131 Somewhat Agree
9% 34 Somewhat Disagree
5% 19 Strongly Disagree
23% 81 Can't Rate-President hasn't expressed a direction
47. If given the chance of taking a similar job at another school, how many faculty do you
think would choose to leave GCC because of the current campus climate?
Ifgiven the chance of taking a similarjob at another school, how many staffdo you
think would choose to leave Gee because of the current campus climate?
2% 9 Most
10% 36 Many
32% 116 Some
38% 140 Few
10% 35 None
9% 32 Can't Rate
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions. Page 17
48. Have there been instances where the current administration has taken some action that
you disagreed with strongly?
Yes No
President 38% 133 62% 218
Deans 35% 122 65% 226
Department Chair 21% 71 79% 274
If no to all, please skip the next two questions.
49. If yes to question 48, please give an example of the action(s) with which you disagreed:
(tabulated in separate report)
50. If yes to question 48, did you take any kind of action?
Yes
Discussed with your employee group
Attended PEC 7% 9 93% 117
Discussed with Department Chair
68% 101 32% 47
Discussed with Supervisor
Sent an email to persons involved 31% 42 69% 92
Took any other action (describe below) 40% 48 60% 73
If you took any other action, please describe below:
(tabulated in separate report)
51. What concrete steps do you think could be taken to improve the climate at GCe?
(tabulated in separate report)
GCC Campus Climate Study. Combined results for common questions.
Information About You
Page 18
GCC staff members may have different views and experiences according to their positions
and backgrounds.
In order to better understand the answers to this questionnaire, we need to be able to
compare the responses from people employed for different lengths of time and those in
different jobs, for example.
Remember that all of this information is strictly confidential. The data will never be used in
any way that would allow you to be identified.
52. How long have you worked at Glendale Community College?
14% 50 Less than 2 years
18% 65 3 to 5 years
19% 70 6 to 10 years
49% 179 Over 10 years
57. Are you male or female?
43% 153 Male
57% 206 Female
58. What is your age group?
4% 13 under 25
10% 35 25 to under 35
22% 78 35 to under 45
43% 152 45 to under 55
22% 78 55 and over
59. How would you describe yourself? (Check as many as apply)
75% 259 White, Non-Hispanic
14% 49 Hispanic, Latino
3% 12 African-American, Black
1% 3 Asian American, Pacific Islander
3% 10 Native American
6% 22 Other
