Finally,
two questions briefly explored perceptions of faculty influence through
the University Senate. Two thirds of the faculty agreed that they are
familiar with the University Senate’s role at Purdue and just over half
(54%) believed that their views are represented through the Senate.
Differences
by School
Consumer
and Family Sciences and Library faculty were the most likely to agree
that they are familiar with the Senate’s role (82% each), followed by
respondents from Health Sciences (79%), Education (77%), and Technology
(75%). The proportion who are familiar with the Senate’s role is considerably
lower in Management (46%), Engineering (55%), and Science (56%). Faculty
in the Libraries were also the most likely to be satisfied that their
views are represented through the Senate (72% agreed with this question),
along with Health Sciences (69%) and Agriculture faculty (63%). Again,
fewer than average in Management (35%), Science (45%), Engineering (46%),
and in this case Education (45%) were satisfied that the Senate represents
their views.
Differences
by Rank
Assistant
professors were far less likely than their more senior colleagues to
report familiarity with the Senate’s role at Purdue (39% vs. 69% of
associate and 79% of full professors). Faculty from the three ranks,
however, were equally satisfied that their views are represented through
the Senate.
Differences
by Gender
Males
and females did not answer these questions in substantially different
ways.
Differences
by Race
Caucasian
faculty were more likely than others to be familiar with the University
Senate’s role (68% compared to 41% of Asian Americans and 54% of underrepresented
minorities). They were also more likely to be satisfied that their views
are represented through the Senate (55% compared to 40% of Asian Americans
and 35% of underrepresented minorities).
