For the fifth year in a row, the Chronicle of Higher Education has named the University of Notre Dame to the honor roll on its annual list of Great Colleges to Work For. The honor roll, the Chronicle notes, recognizes the “best of the best” among the colleges surveyed for the list.
The Great Colleges program, started in 2008, is the premier recognition program in higher education. The program recognizes colleges and universities for specific best practices and policies.
Survey participants were asked to respond to 60 statements in 12 recognition categories. Notre Dame ranked highly in four categories:
- Compensation and benefits: Pay is fair, and benefits are satisfactory.
- Confidence in senior leadership: Leaders have the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for the success of the college.
- Facilities, workspace and security: Facilities meet employees’ needs, and the campus looks good.
- Job satisfaction: There is an overall sense that the job is meaningful to the employee and to the college.
All accredited U.S. institutions are invited to participate in the survey. This year’s results are based on responses from nearly 45,000 people at 300 institutions, 227 of which were four-year colleges and universities (136 private and 91 public). Each institution submitted to a two-part assessment process: A survey was administered to faculty, administrators and both exempt and nonexempt professionals, and each school underwent an institutional audit to capture demographics, policies and practices. This is the first year nonexempt staff members, such as food service, clerical and maintenance employees, were invited to participate.
Honor roll recognition is awarded to the 10 four-year institutions in each size category, based on enrollment, that were cited most often across all recognition categories. Notre Dame is included in the large institution group with enrollment of 10,000 or more.
ModernThink LLC, a human resources consulting firm in Wilmington, Del., conducted the survey. The questionnaires were administered online in the spring.