(Purpose) The purpose of this study was to explore reasons why many academics "hate" their jobs by examining the current state of the academy--its values, culture, and possibilities. (Methodology) Through pragmatic and philosophical argument, the authors contend that the academy fosters a pedagogy (defined broadly) of disengagement, and…

Campus activities programmers are encouraged to balance roles by: remembering their time is valuable; accepting their own imperfection; saying "no" when necessary; taking care of themselves; learning to request help and delegate; giving best time and energy to what matters most; focusing on life's positives; developing support systems; keeping a…

The views of 24 Australian university faculty interviewed about the way higher education's recession has affected their work reveals a widening gap between academic ideals and institutional realities. Comments focus on: teaching, students, research, colleagues, career prospects, the university, and the quality of academic life. (MSE)

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact that Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is having on the professional worklives of international student and scholar advisors (ISSAs) on U.S. college and university campuses. ISSAs are clearly satisfied with their work and hold their institutions in high regard. However,…

A study explored how young adults experience control and exercise personal agency (self-determination) as they pass through periods of transition in education and training, work, unemployment, and in their personal lives. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires administered to at least 100 young adults from universities and companies,…

Addresses the issue of retention of young professionals in college admission, suggesting a program whereby staff members from different enrollment service offices switch jobs for various periods of time. Results of one such program indicated that retention, career development and the overall relationship among enrollment services staff were aided.…

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of being a full-time lecturer in a foreign language department. Lecturers like the emphasis on teaching, the ability to affect student learning, and freedom from the pressures of publishing. Drawbacks include lack of time, money, and job security. Frustration, caused by a lack of empowerment, comes from an…

The important role of academic department secretaries at institutions of higher education is considered in the context of a survey of 121 academic department support staff. Possible strategies for retaining these valuable employees are offered, including accurate position descriptions, appropriate compensation, team-building programs, and special…

Four college advancement professionals who have been at their present institutions for many years describe their strategies for professional renewal. These include creating variety on the job, using out-of-town trips for a change of pace, and using normal changes in the job over time to keep the work interesting. (MSE)

The art of effective management is addressed, along with motivational factors that affect the way in which employees respond to management. To meet challenges for better production, organizational systems are taking into account the development of individual employees. Since human behavior must be fully understood to develop human resources, "new…

A survey of approximately 2,450 non-instructional staff at a research university concerning the work environment found significant differences in perceptions of union-affiliated and non-union staff, with union-affiliated workers seeing the culture, philosophy, climate, and outcomes of their work environment more negatively. Implications for…

College governing boards must address six areas of campus human resources management: composition of the new workforce; leadership and motivation; quality of work life; performance evaluation; compensation; and the role of the campus human resource management department. (MSE)

A survey of 55 full-time faculty at Southeast Missouri State University examined the relationship between perceived work environment, particularly factors most frequently identified as variables influencing job satisfaction, and overall job satisfaction. Results showed a healthy faculty attitude toward the institution and its mission and positive…

A study examined untenured faculty at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) to determine their job satisfaction and work stress, changes in these areas over time, and ways the university could enrich their job experience. Two cohorts were studied via questionnaires. The first cohort comprised first-year faculty (N=23) and the second comprised…

This study was the first stage in an analysis of academic and career administrators' perceptions of their functioning in management and leadership capacities and focused in particular on the perceptions of female faculty and administrators. Volunteer participants included 179 male and female university academic and career administrators. Of…