Surveys of Swarthmore Staff and Faculty

Faculty

Faculty participated in the Higher Education Research Institute's (HERI) national survey of faculty in 1989. We began participating again more regularly, beginning in 2004-05. (In that year Swarthmore coordinated with Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges to ask some overlapping questions in our optional local questions.) We have participated on a three-year cycle since 2004-05. Findings from these surveys have been particularly useful in our planning efforts.
Vendor Website (HERI)

Staff (may include faculty, as noted)

There has been no routine program of surveying staff in recent years. However, staff are included in topical surveys. Examples of these are noted below.

Public Safety SurveYS

Public Safety surveys have been offered biennially since 2014. These surveys seek feedback from faculty, staff, and students regarding perceptions and opinions about safety on campus, as well as views on Public Safety initiatives.

COMMUTING Survey

This Spring 2023 survey collected data on the commuting habits of faculty and staff to inform annual emissions inventory calculations associated with the daily commuting habits of the campus community as well as potential strategies to reduce commuting emissions. As a signatory to the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, Swarthmore has a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2035. 

STAFF CHECK-IN SURVEY (COVID-19 OPERATIONS)

An anonymous check-in survey asked staff about their experiences over the Fall 2020 semester given the operational changes on campus due to COVID-19. The goal was to understand both the challenges and what was working well as the College continued to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 academic year.

STAFF ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC) SURVEY

This Staff Advisory Council Survey was a confidential survey that sought feedback from staff members to make improvements to the SAC function at the College and to help strengthen its standing as a valuable resource for employees.