A survey shows that the UO’s officers of administration are hopeful about the university’s leadership and direction but also want better communication and have concerns about their status as an unrepresented group.
The results are part of a report delivered this week to university leaders and administrators. The report is the result of both a listening tour and online survey conducted last fall to find out what issues are most on the minds of the 1,200 officers of administration who make up most of the university’s professional staff.
The survey was done between fall 2013 and winter 2014, before the UO’s leadership change. Not surprisingly, the review found both optimism and apprehension among officers of administration.
“In general, OAs share a sense of hope about the administrative changes under way and the possibility of creating more consistent processes,” the report says. “They also express concern about heavy workloads and thin staffing, frustration about inconsistent communications and worries about being the only unrepresented group on campus.”
A common thread in the more than 150 responses is a desire for better communications between OAs and their supervisors as well as clearer and more detailed information from university leaders. The latter is particularly important during times of significant internal change, such as the recent leadership transition, the report says.
OAs not only would like to hear more from university leaders but also get information in multiple formats, including email, meetings and short articles posted on websites. They feel some current communication channels work poorly or not at all, leading people to rely on a “grapevine” for information.
Other concerns centered on increased workloads, budget challenges and morale. And OAs are concerned about the effect of the new faculty union on collegiality within departments and whether being unrepresented will make it harder to be heard.
Although the survey was done under the administration of former UO President Michael Gottfredson, change was still a major theme. Respondents hoped that changes under way late last year would stabilize budgets and streamline procedures.
The report says OAs are optimistic about the chances for departments to become more entrepreneurial and take advantage of new opportunities for funding programs and initiatives. And perhaps foreshadowing the changes that have taken place since the survey was performed, OAs have hope that change will spark new energy and show the value of their work.
“My hope is the changes in leadership will recognize the tremendous efforts by the OAs to support the (university’s) mission,” one person commented.
―By Greg Bolt, Public Affairs Communications