Baylor University Named a “2015 Great College to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education

University receives elite Honor Roll designation for the fifth consecutive year, the most ever for a U.S. institution

WACO, Texas (July 20, 2015) – For the fifth consecutive year, Baylor University has attained elite honor roll status in the “Great Colleges to Work For” survey released today by The Chronicle of Higher Education. No other university in the history of the survey has made the Great Colleges honor roll more than Baylor, according to ModernThink LLC, the firm that conducts the annual survey of faculty and staff at 281 colleges and universities.

The survey results recognize the universities and colleges that get top ratings from their employees on workforce practices and policies.

“Baylor’s mission states clearly the priority we attach to the caring nature of our community,” said Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr. “That commitment is reflected in a deep respect for shared governance; appreciation and support for work-family balance; a spirit of generosity in our daily work together; and a firm belief in the value and significance of the contribution of every Baylor colleague. These abiding attributes continue to make Baylor a ‘Great College to Work For.’”

Of the 42 national universities awarded Honor Roll status, Baylor is one of only three universities in the large university category (10,000 or more students) to achieve recognition in 11 of the 12 categories honoring specific best practices and policies. Duke University and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor join Baylor as the recognized large-category institutions.

The results are published today in The Chronicle’s eighth annual report on The Academic Workplace. In all, only 86 of the 281 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions.

Baylor was cited in 11 categories this year:
• Collaborative Governance: Faculty members are appropriately involved in decisions related to academic programs.
• Professional/Career-Development Programs: Employees are given the opportunity to develop skills and understand requirements to advance in their careers.
• Teaching Environment: Faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching.
• Compensation and Benefits: Pay is fair, and benefits meet the needs of employees.
• Facilities, Workspaces and Security: Facilities adequately meet needs, the appearance of the campus is pleasing, and the institution takes steps to provide a secure environment.
• Job Satisfaction and Support: Provides insight into the satisfaction with job fit, autonomy and resources.
• Work/Life Balance: Policies give employees the flexibility to manage their personal lives.
• Confidence in Senior Leadership: Leaders have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience for institutional success.
• Supervisor or Department-Chair Relationship: Supervisor makes expectations clear and solicits ideas.
• Respect and Appreciation: Employees are regularly recognized for their contributions.
• Tenure Clarity and Process (four-year colleges only): Requirements for tenure are clear, faculty members say.

“The institutions that the Great Colleges program recognizes provide innovative educational experiences – while also offering their employees outstanding workplace experiences – and we are eager to help readers learn more about them,” said Liz McMillen, editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education, the nation’s most important source of news about colleges and universities.

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.

To administer the survey and analyze the results, The Chronicle worked with ModernThink LLC, a strategic human capital consulting firm that has conducted numerous “Best Places to Work” programs, surveying hundreds of thousands of employees nationwide.

Great Colleges to Work For is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all the results of the survey, visit The Chronicle’s Web site at https://www.chronicle.com/article/great-colleges-to-work-for-2015/#id=big-table.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The Chronicle of Higher Education is the No. 1 professional source for news, jobs, and information for college and university administrators and faculty. The Chronicle provides institutions with multiple paths to effectively communicate and engage with the largest audience and most influential decision makers in higher education in print and online. Visit http://chronicle.com to learn more.

ABOUT MODERNTHINK LCC

As a research and consulting leader in workplace issues, ModernThink has supported a wide variety of “Best Place to Work” initiatives. Through these programs, the firm has gained substantial survey and industry expertise, including specific insight into higher education. ModernThink knows what it takes to build a great place to work and shares that know-how with its clients. The ModernThink team of organizational development experts is dedicated to helping colleges follow through and capitalize on feedback from employees and benchmark data from peers to drive meaningful change at their institutions. Learn more at www.modernthink.com.