DePauw named 'Great College to Work For'

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

DePauw University has been recognized as a "Great College to Work For" in the second annual survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

More than 300 four- and two-year colleges signed up for this year's program; DePauw is one of about 150 institutions to be recognized for its workplace policies.

The results are based on responses from nearly 1,000 administrators, faculty members, and staff members at those institutions.

The Chronicle's Great Colleges to Work For program recognizes colleges (grouped by enrollment size) for specific best practices and policies, including those affecting compensation and benefits, faculty-administration relations, and confidence in senior leadership. There are 26 recognition categories for four-year institutions, and 15 for community colleges.

Among four-year colleges, 122 institutions were recognized in at least one category. Among two-year institutions, 28 were recognized in at least one category.

DePauw is cited as a national leader for its "Tenure Clarity and Process."

"DePauw has long been considered a great place to work, but this survey -- which we participated in for the first time this year -- provides external affirmation of that fact," says Brad Kelsheimer, vice president for finance and administration. "This is a distinguished list and we're pleased to state emphatically that DePauw is indeed a 'great college to work for.'"

To participate in the program, institutions agreed to go through a free, two-part assessment process: A survey administered to a randomly selected group of 400 to 600 administrators and members of the faculty and professional-support staff, and an institutional audit that collected demographics and workplace policies and practices from each institution.

The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback collected from faculty and staff members.

"Leaders in higher education are facing tough challenges on many fronts," says Richard K. Boyer, principal and managing partner of ModernThink LLC, which administered the survey and analyzed the results. "The opportunity for national recognition draws institutions that are looking for a competitive edge in recruiting, retention, and even research dollars. In addition, leaders are thirsty for reliable data that can help them make better decisions, prioritize scarce resources and improve morale. As expected with a more established recognition program, the number of participants wasn't the only thing that went up. We also saw a commensurate jump in the quality of the field."

Another national report released last month found that DePauw University has one of the highest graduation rates among America's institutions of higher education.

Founded in 1837, DePauw University, with 2,400 undergraduate students and a full-time faculty of 238, is recognized as one of America's top liberal arts colleges.

The 2008 National Survey of Student Engagement puts DePauw freshmen and seniors in the top 10 percent of all colleges and universities for the level of academic challenge they experience. The study students smile 2005.jpgalso ranks DePauw seniors in the top 10 percent of all participating institutions nationwide for enjoying enriching educational experiences.

DePauw is among the nation's top 50 liberal arts colleges that combine "outstanding economic value with top-notch education," according to Kiplinger's Personal Finance. The magazine's 2009 "best values" list places DePauw No. 38 among the nation's liberal arts colleges.

DePauw University also ranks among the top 10 baccalaureate institutions in the nation for the total number of students who studied abroad in 2006-07, according to the 2008 Open Doors report. It is also among the "Top Producers of Fulbright Awards for U.S. Students, 2008-09" according to a chart published in the October 24, 2008 edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education.

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