Retaining faculty an issue for UNC

The battle to retain faculty members at the University has been ongoing for several years.

Now, the recent release of a study regarding faculty retention has heightened awareness as officials continue to search for a solution.

At the conclusion of the last Faculty Council meeting, individuals aired their top concerns with Judith Wegner, chairwoman of the faculty. Wegner now is determining how the University should proceed in its quest.

"There are a number of things that I really think have received a good amount of attention," Wegner said. "People are thinking about it but are not yet clear about what the priorities should be."

Wegner said the responses she's received look to the future rather than reiterate concerns found in the most recent study, conducted by the Office of Institutional Research.

"I really think we're going to be in a position to work systematically through the year, taking up one and another topic as we need to at various Faculty Council meetings," she said.

Pamela Conover, a professor of political science, said the issue cannot be taken lightly.

"The report stressed that it's not any one thing. It's not just salaries. It's not just benefits. It's a complicated question," she said.

Findings from the study were compiled into a report highlighting areas of concern. Members expressed dissatisfaction with compensation, recognition, support, benefits, fair and transparent salary processes and the work climate.

Arne Kalleberg, a senior associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences who helped organize the survey, said the Faculty Council is just beginning to collect suggestions and digest the results.

"Right now, the first step in fixing the problem is to figure out what the facts are," he said.

"Once we find the facts, (we will know) which particular types of faculty members we need to address."

Wegner said the next steps in the process will include meeting with various departments and policymakers to hammer out changes and to set priorities for resource allocation and administrative responses.

"The need here is to really try to get some function in place so this isn't going to creep along the way it has and get worse," Wegner said. "I think we're going to be able to come up with a fair amount of good work; it's just a matter of coordinating."

She said that there is more to be done at various council meetings and that another report will be presented next spring.

"My hope is to hear some of the good ideas that are around campus," Wegner said. "We need to have a better monitoring system to track what goes on with faculty to see what they're thinking."

Kalleberg said he hopes to see the efforts result in a lasting effect on the issue of faculty retention.

"I really think the issue here is so important, and the people behind it are so committed, that this will have a lasting effect and will lead to some changes in how we do things."

Wegner said she is eager to hear input from all areas of campus and encourages individuals to reply.

"The whole notion is to make it possible for everyone to weigh in if they have suggestions," she said.

"We've only just begun."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.