Employee Satisfaction Survey

Thank you for the outstanding response rate in completing the employee satisfaction survey. Our vendor, Noel-Levitz, reports that an astounding 81 percent of eligible respondents completed the survey; most organizations do well to obtain a 50 percent response rate.

The next steps in the process will be for the university to receive the statistical results, likely in late April or early May. Thereafter, Noel-Levitz will provide a coach to come to campus to review and explain the results to senior leadership. I suspect this will be an important topic for the cabinet and deans retreat on June 18. Once we are comfortable with our understanding of the data, we will host sessions to share the results with all employees.

Thanks again for taking the time to participate. The huge response rate will add much credibility to the results.

Busy Days Ahead

The remaining four weeks of the semester are extremely busy for everyone. Workloads and deadlines can make life stressful. Let’s be sure to pause to contemplate the purpose of our work and to realize the impact our disposition has on our students, co-workers, and guests.

Last week I received a handwritten note from a graduating senior for whom I wrote a letter of recommendation for a job. Upon landing his dream job, the student closed his message to me with the words “you have helped to change my life.”

This is the privilege we have through our work at Viterbo. When it seems there are not enough hours in the day, remember that each of us makes a difference. Take time to appreciate our calling as educators and servant leaders, and by all means, participate in and enjoy the many celebrations that conclude the academic year.

Rick Artman