Survey says…

The latest Pop Quiz offers a peek into MSU’s mindset about the future of higher education, as least according to the 151 employees who participated. Sentiments are a mixed bag.


Here’s the breakdown:

Team Gloom: 48% are feeling the academic blues, pointing to a future filled with more questions than answers.

Team Bloom: 32% see the glass half full, ready to toast to a brighter future.

The Fence Sitters: 20% are holding their cards close, opting for a wait-and-see approach.


A closer look:

Academic staff: Topping the charts with 70% in the gloom camp. It’s tough out there in the world of lectures and research.

Faculty: Bucking the trend, 48% are sporting optimism, perhaps inspired by their daily dose of eager learners.

Support staff: Striking a balance, 35.56% are feeling positive, keeping the academic ship steady.

Executives: 100% indicate that they are on the side of gloom, but take that with a grain of salt. Only three weighed in.


Breakdown by employee type:

Total employees (151 participants)

Negative (73): 48%

Positive (48): 32%

Ambivalent (30): 20%


Academic staff (20 participants):

Negative (14): 70%

Positive (2): 10%

Ambivalent (4): 20%


Faculty (25 participants):

Negative (6): 24%

Positive (12): 48%

Ambivalent (7): 28%


Support staff (89 participants):

Negative (41): 45.56%

Positive (32): 35.56%

Ambivalent (16): 18.89%


Executive (3 participants):

Negative (3): 100%


Other (14 participants):

Negative (9): 64.28%

Positive (2): 14.29%

Ambivalent (3): 21.43%

Whether you’re in the gloom, bloom, or wait-and-see camp, it’s clear that the future of higher education is anything but agreed upon.