Annual Survey Comments 2014–2015
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY–IDAHO FACULTY ASSOCIATION
Annual Survey Comments
2014–2015
QUESTION #1
If your professional well-being has changed significantly over
the last five years, to what factors do you attribute that change?
I enjoy my job now much more than the one I had 5 years ago. Also, the work environment is much better here at BYU-I.
Increased opportunities and flexibility after finishing my education.
Being employed by BYU-Idaho-I love working for this university!
Aging children have created an opportunity for me to be away from home and working more.
I have little input on department direction or use of funds. Changes are made to curriculum, facilities without my input being considered, even though those changes affect my job as a teacher or are in areas that I know more about than those making the decisions. I often don't know what is going on because of little information exchange with my department chair. For example, a new degree program in which much time, personnel and facilities were invested that was suddenly terminated. No clear explanation has been given as to why that was eliminated. It may have been the right decision but why can't the faculty be told the reasons? I am troubled by what I see as a waste of money in some of the decisions that are made - I am more frugal and careful with sacred funds than some of those above me. I enjoy my classes about the same as before and the students seem to enjoy them, but I feel that I am not growing as much as I could/should. No one else currently in department can teach several of my classes - if I stop teaching them for a semester or two, I fear the students will suffer. I don't have a Ph.D so I don't feel able to do research or take a leave to do research as is suggested--for example, I can mentor students in some research trials but there doesn't seem to be anyone who can help with statistical analysis and I don't feel capable of doing that correctly. I think the university has been trying to create more PDL opportunities and this is welcome - I will try to take advantage of that.
In the past five years I've gone from temporary full time to adjunct and back to a five year full time contract. So five years ago I was very apprehensive about my future. As far as the effort I put into my job, I've always tried to do my best.
Curiculum changes is the easy answer. However, the change in the curriculum is not the primary reason for the downgrade. The primary reason is for the lack of communication regarding direction, the lack of vision regarding a new direction, and the lack of caring or concerned leadership. One the whole, I feel of less worth to the University and feel less of an overall vision than I did 5 years ago. I feel my best contributions are either ignored or are of no value. I feel that verything from committee assignments to individual reports that I have done regarding anything other than my classes have been ignored or of no value during the past 5 years. I currently feel almost no motivation to participate in anything outside of the classes I teach. I used to seek out many opportunities to participate and learn outside of the classroom. The words of our leaders too often do not match their actions.
The research load at BYU was immense, but that is gone here. With it went the collaboration and teh pressure to stay current in the field and develop a personal line of research and thus a reputation. I told people i would continue doing that upon my transfer here, but i have been so bogged down by prepping 6 new classes that i had never taught before, that it feels impossible to d so far.
not working in the industry.
The life style change that came from new employment with the university. Industry had me working longer hours with emergency call involved.
I changed jobs!
Lack of communication within the college and the university as a whole / Constant pressure to change
There have been several big changes within our department which we as members of the department were not privy too until they were announced to us either in email or in person. When decisions are made which effect departments, courses, faculty, students and programs it would be great if administrators asked those impacted if they thought a change was needed and if so what their recommendations would be. Administrators are not always aware of what goes on within departments, programs or courses.
more time devoted to learning about teaching and not just teaching
Full-time job
I love teaching. Being at BYU-I is an amazing experience. I love exploring the process of the learning model and the support I'm receiving regarding my ability to improve via "trial and error."
The change in environment and the people I work with. The students and their energy.
The work environment is much better. People are more tolerant of my limitations and have great patience.
I completed my PhD!
Currently in school for a doctorate
It really has not
Finished my MBA, started a new professional career and have now started teaching at BYUI
New opportunity to teach at BYUI
Student Work ethic...attitudes; and technology demands
Censorship
Re-entering the work force after being a stay-at-home mother. Getting the opportunity to use my expertise and talents in a professional setting again.
A number of things happened that resulted in the removal of intellectually stimulating teaching challenges and teaching autonomy.
Having a new department chair who is open and more receptive to change. He also appreciates the field I teach in and is open to new ideas and ways to advance the discipline. Other chairs made decisions behind closed doors and never were open to advancing the dicipline.
I am doing what I love most-teaching.
Loss of full-time employment. Working under a one-year agreement is nice, but it still leaves me with an uncertain future.
Opportunity to change focus
Punted 1-credit courses to online which reduced my teaching preps about 75%
Diminished capacity of the students. Instead of teaching content, we spend our time teaching students how to study.
I finished a doctoral dissertation which was killing me … in some senses more than literally.
1) 12 hour leave spring 2013 / 2) Taking on a new prep fall 2013 (leaving 2 old ones that had lost their appeal) / 3) New admin assignmetn (50% load) that I find intersting - and compliments my main teaching focus of International Business
Being moved from my area of professional expertise of over thirty years into a new realm that has been both a stuggle and rewarding.
Better sense of purpose. More pay. More freedom to make choices. More power to act on my choices.
Excellent relationships with my colleagues and supervisors.
My current workload seems more managable.
Rapid increase in personal responsibilities with additional children, church callings, increasing demands in my professional development program (doctorate), health difficulties for my children, my wife, and myself.
I was disappointed that a very good professional development opportunity for a 12 hour leave was denied. Under the "use it or lose it" premise, I arranged a much less satisfying and less productive PD opportunity here on campus. Now, I have another potentially great opportunity before me, but I must wait on it to get my years back up. Hopefully, it will still be there.
It is easy to become stagnant in my professional ability. Most of my time is spent in grading and preparing for classes which leaves little time for professional development.
BYU-Idaho administration began emphasizing leave for professional development
Too much administrative work and responsibilities over online courses; not enough finances or time to do professional development. Lack in communication and trust; hard to voice an opinion in fear that it will cause repercussions.
No opporunities to stay abreast of the field professionally.
No longer being in graduate school. :) Working with a great department of colleagues and great students.
I'm finally teaching, which has been my goal for quite a long time! BYU-Idaho is a much better employer than I previously had, and I appreciate the balance here in work/family.
I feel that I have very little real power to influence conditions that impact me professionally and personally. The Administration sometimes seeks input, but I feel that it is mostly for show. Edicts come from on high, and heaven help the poor soul who has the audacity to question them.
Department politics
The atmosphere at the school has become "corporate". It is far less collegial than it used to be.
I have had the blessed opportunity to work In my field since I started back in school at BYU-I and worked hard to get a chance to obtain my dream position at a University teaching and growing academically, and that has finally started to happen for me and my family.
In my previous job (not at BYU-Idaho), I was asked by my admonition to take on several additional responsibilities. I don't mind taking on additional responsibilities, but I felt like I had too much on my plate and so spread thin that I wasn't able to handle my professional and personal responsibilities well.
I recognize that my situation is not typical, but my satisfaction went up considerably when I was no longer dependent upon the university for my primary source of income, and no longer expected/hoped to gain full-time, permenant employment there.
I wasn't teaching five years ago.
increased education, opportunity, switching jobs/role
Having large class sizes (100+) where it is difficult to employ the learning model (lecture hall), no TA due to being adjunct.
I do appreciate the 3 hour leaves two semesters a year, but I don't want to feel pressured to take them.
I feel more stress associated with my job
Coming to BYUI
teaching at BYUI- the unity , autonomy, focus, and training are fantastic!!!
There was a level of respect and professionalism that I enjoy now that I did not quite enjoy in my previous appointment. Also, there was a level of trust but I have never before experienced. Coupled with that great trust, there is also a level of excellence that the University expects, which validates my self-worth, and makes me feel wonderful.
You should define what you mean by professional well-being. I am as happy now as before, but wish I had more time to do research and other professional activities.
Five years ago I was on a mission and my professional well-being was completely in neutral.
N/A
I observe many of my co-workers doing so little, working short hours, dropping responsibilities, etc. For years I have tried to pick up more to cover things and continue to improve our program. I have often done more than expected, just to make things work. I have come to the realization that just as their low investment is unnoticed so are my additional efforts. / / I love teaching and find great satisfaction in that part of the job. It is the department dynamics that are the drag. /
It has improved because of the 2 credit per semester professional development leave.
I left the Teacher Education Program
I honestly think the students are getting a little tougher. The best are the best, greater than ever. But there are a few more with problems, and with distractions and short attention spans
Continued professional development, participation in professional association, recognition for contributions to my field, increased sphere of influence
There are several things that I would attribute my increased sense of professional well-being toward. One is that I am back in the classroom after being out of the classroom for three years to write curriculum. Another is the great faculty that I get to work with, who are so supportive and encouraging and intellectually and spiritually challenging and stimulating. Another is that I have so many more opportunities for autonomous professional development here.
Teaching students who are motivated to learn / Being at a university where I am free to discuss and promote my personal values and morals
I really enjoy teaching multiple preps and having the freedom to choose what courses I would like to focus on each semester. The PDL opportunities give me more time to do in-depth study and preparation for current and future courses as well as time for general scholarship. I love teaching here! Sometimes I have to pinch myself because it seems too good to be true.
I have a temporary, full-time position on campus now. I was working only a part-time adjunct position before.
I miss research and want to do bigger projects with grants but my timelines do not fit well with professional development leaves
Graduating from PhD program, landing a job, working with great students, opportunities for professional development, wonderful colleagues, brisk winter weather (maybe not that last one)
becoming department chair (significantly increased work load)
I am now able to take advantage of the two credit per semester leaves to help prepare for new courses or use them for professional development.
The challenges never seem to get resolved, they just keep coming.
More administration and less time spent teaching students and advancing my professional knowledge.
No longer teaching and serving in my area of expertise
Getting my Ph.D. Being hired at BYU-I where I am working for an institution that matches my professional and personal goals. Getting a competitive salary for the position I was hired on for.
I am working in a different setting than I was five years ago. The work load at BYU-Idaho is rigorous, and I am fine with that. I feel privileged to be here and I am so often blessed to feel the Spirit in my work here on campus. What has been most difficult for me here has been the surprising politics in my work environment. I have been stunned and chagrined by the unkind and unprofessional behavior of some of my colleagues.