Inside Iowa State

Jan. 30, 2009

What do you think?

by Paula Van Brocklin

Let your voice be heard. That's what employees at the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost want all ISU faculty, staff and students to do with the 2009 University Life Survey, which hit e-mail inboxes Jan. 26. (If you didn't receive a survey, contact provostsurvey-uls@iastate.edu.)

The 20-question online survey asks your opinion on whether Iowa State is a "great place to learn and work," a top priority in the university's 2005-10 strategic plan. To provide your input, simply select the link provided in the e-mail, and you'll be redirected to the survey. The survey remains online through Feb. 13.

Melanie Smith, program assistant in the executive vice president and provost's office, encourages employees to share their opinions.

"This survey is directly related to the strategic plan of the university," Smith said. "To make sure we're meeting our goals, it's important to measure them. Plus, this is an opportunity to compare the results to see if any progress has been made."

The first university life survey, conducted in 2007, was designed to be a benchmark for future comparisons. But some changes did result from that survey, Smith said, including a new work/life web site (www.provost.iastate.edu/worklife) and a renewed effort to offer employees more fitness programs.

The 2009 survey results should be available later this spring. Iowa State will share those results with the state Board of Regents as part of its annual strategic plan update. The results also will be online.

To see the 2007 survey results, go to www.provost.iastate.edu/reports/universitylife2007.

The ISU community -- students, faculty and staff -- is being asked to participate in a 20-question online University Life Survey by Feb. 13.