Chronicle for Higher Education recognizes Murray in three key areas

MURRAY, Ky. — According to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education Murray State University is one of the best universities in the nation for faculty and staff to spend their careers. Murray has been recognized for the third time as one of the Chronicle’s “Great Colleges to Work For.”

The results, released online earlier this month in The Chronicle’s fifth annual report on “The Academic Workplace,” are based on a survey of nearly 47,000 employees at 294 colleges and universities. In all, only 103 of the 294 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies.

Murray State University was recognized for excellence in three categories — Professional/Career Development Programs, Respect and Appreciation, and Teaching Environment. Murray is the only Kentucky public university to be noted on the list. Also on the list from Kentucky are private school Centre College and Somerset Community College.

“This is yet another high honor for Murray State University at that time of year when so many of these national rankings are released,” said Dr. Randy J. Dunn, MSU president. “The Chronicle’s recognition of the quality of the working and teaching environment on our campuses, I hope, likewise shows the respect we hold for the quality of work being done by our talented faculty and staff every day. And the fact that we’ve achieved an even higher number of indicators on this year’s ‘Great Colleges’ list demonstrates that all of us at MSU continue our efforts — never resting on our laurels — to move the university forward.”

MSU is among the 30 colleges and universities across the country to be recognized in the “large” category, defined by enrollments of 10,000 or more students.

Survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit of demographics and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff. Administered by ModernThink LLC, a human resources consulting firm based in Wilmington, Del., the survey is based on an assessment that has been used in 55 “Best Places to Work” programs and more than 4,000 organizations. A panel of higher education experts helped to customize it for unique college issues.

To view all the results, go online at http://chronicle.com/section/Academic-Workplace-2012/617/