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.
Objective | Non-STEM faculty members who strongly agree this is part of their role | STEM 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"
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