Voices Carry: The Perceptions and Implications of the Faculty Climate Relationship

Abstract

Over the last 20 years the length of tenure of those who serve as presidents of universities has diminished. Most higher education administrators serve in their positions less than 6 years and this frequent turnover rate affects those in secondary leadership roles significantly.  With each new president and provost, trust must be established. This study is important because it seeks to understand the elements that ensure a healthy faculty relationship with administrators. A qualitative case study method will be utilized to interview 5 faculty members within one college within a university in the Northwest region of the United States. The question that will shape this study is: What are the things that build trust between faculty and administrators that create a healthy mutually respective academic environment? It is the goal of this project to identify the elements of a positive faculty climate. The study results will be helpful to administrators and faculty who have an interest in faculty-administrator relations.