Given the critical role of the faculty in carrying out the essential work of the institution, presidents have an important responsibility to participate in the development of policies, programs, and practices that foster academic workplaces that are supportive of faculty members. Ann Austin, professor and holder of the Dr. Mildred B. Erickson Distinguished Chair in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education at Michigan State University and coauthor of Rethinking Faculty Work (2007), provided insights and ideas for presidents on how to support faculty members in this time of significant changes in the faculty and workplace.

Austin recommended that presidents:

• “Give some thought to what it means for faculty to be a key institutional resource: What in our environment can we be purposeful about in terms of attracting, retaining, and supporting faculty members and fulfilling the mission of your institution?
  
  
• Share ideas with CAOs and department chairs and help frame campus-wide conversations centered around two questions: How can faculty work be organized in ways that more fully achieve the mission of the institution as well as the personal satisfaction of faculty members? What aspect of our institutional culture is currently nurturing a supportive collegial environment and what can we do better?
  
  
• Request ongoing data collection about faculty recruitment, retention, and experience, focusing on: What do your faculty members think about the policies and programs at your institution? What is challenging in their work?”

In short, she said, “We must rethink academic work and workplaces; invest in all faculty members as a strategic decision; ensure a culture of respect for all faculty; and create institutional policies that reflect the characteristics of today’s workplace.”

A powerpoint presentation of Austin’s address is available here on CIC’s website.