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News

Faculty Members’ Perceptions of Their Roles in Undergraduate Education, 2016-17

Almanac 2019 August 18, 2019

Non-STEM faculty members were more likely than their STEM counterparts to strongly agree that they play a role in fostering students’ open-mindedness and helping them develop moral character. STEM faculty members were more likely to strongly agree that it’s their responsibility to prepare students for postgraduate education and employment.

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Non-STEM faculty members were more likely than their STEM counterparts to strongly agree that they play a role in fostering students’ open-mindedness and helping them develop moral character. STEM faculty members were more likely to strongly agree that it’s their responsibility to prepare students for postgraduate education and employment.

ObjectiveNon-STEM faculty members who strongly agree this is part of their roleSTEM faculty members who strongly agree this is part of their role
Promote students’ ability to write effectively 77.8% 61.1%
Prepare students for employment after college 66.4% 76.3%
Teach students tolerance and respect for different beliefs 64.7% 40.0%
Prepare students for graduate or advanced education 57.1% 71.8%
Enhance students’ knowledge of and appreciation for other racial/ethnic groups 51.1% 27.4%
Encourage students to become agents of social change 42.9% 23.2%
Develop students’ moral character 41.6% 35.8%
Help students develop personal values 40.1% 29.6%
Provide for students’ emotional development 29.1% 21.1%

Note: Results are based on survey responses from 20,771 full-time undergraduate faculty members representing 143 baccalaureate institutions. Only institutions that admitted at least 25 first-time full-time students, that granted a baccalaureate-level degree or higher, and that participated in the 2015-16 Human Resources Survey from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System were considered. Most for-profit institutions were excluded. Responses to this survey were weighted to be representative of faculty members of the gender and ranks found at the set of institutions under consideration. “STEM” refers to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The survey report can be found here. Questions or comments on the Almanac should be sent to Ruth Hammond.

Source: Higher Education Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, “Undergraduate Teaching Faculty: The HERI Faculty Survey 2016–2017"


To purchase a copy of the Almanac in print or as a downloadable interactive PDF, visit the Chronicle Store.


A version of this article appeared in the August 23, 2019, issue.
Read other items in Tenure Status & Adjuncts.
We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
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