The dean of Ohio University's College of Fine Arts saw a severe drop in faculty and staff approval this year, but a committee within the college attributed the results more to general climate than the dean's performance.
Charles McWeeny, who has been dean since 2006, received a 58 percent approval rating from faculty and a 42 percent approval rating from staff - down from last year's 90 percent and 70 percent, respectively. Thirty-five percent of faculty and 32 percent of staff responded this year, compared to 13 percent of faculty and 63 percent of staff the previous year.
McWeeny earned $180,250 this year in base salary.
The dean said he was not surprised by the comments and thinks some of them relate to things he could improve, though others have more to do with budget and other worries.
Obviously
things have changed a little since last year's evaluation but I'm not surprised considering some of the difficult and complex choices we've had to make this year he said. I think the environment is part of it
but I think there are other factors.
The faculty committee charged with summarizing data from the survey reached a similar conclusion.
We acknowledge that this is a step back in terms of overall evaluation numbers for the dean
the committee wrote. But we also feel that much of what is expressed in this year's evaluation can be tied to a plunging faculty morale resulting from ever-increasing budget cuts
job eliminations and other complex developments ... rather than to the performance of any individual dean.
Faculty gave McWeeny his highest rating - 77 percent - in student orientation, a field the dean said reflects his strong staff.
The lowest faculty ratings came in faculty relations and interpersonal relationships, both at 45 percent approval. Staff also ranked interpersonal relationships last, giving McWeeny a 29 percent approval rating in that category and in faculty and staff development.
His communication skills with faculty are limited
one commenter said. His (technique) seems to be a wait-and-see approach instead of communicating directly and face to face.
The dean said he was not sure how things had changed in those categories this year, but is committed to improving those relationships.
I haven't changed my communication style or management style or frequency
and maybe I need to
McWeeny said. I need to be more accessible to staff and look at staff development ... We need them to have better morale and feel better about it.
Staff gave McWeeny an 84 percent - his highest mark - in university relations, praising the way the dean represents the college to the rest of OU.
Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit gave McWeeny a positive evaluation, praising him in particular for his work in fundraising and restructuring.
Benoit said McWeeny has brought in additional scholarship aid for non-resident students, as well as helping secure a $13.3 million gift to be shared with the College of Education.
She said she also was pleased with his work on a restructuring plan that brought part of the former College of Health and Human Services into the College of Fine Arts. McWeeny also has formed a group within his college to look at how the college should evolve long-term.
I have been impressed with the degree to which you have refused to be stymied by circumstance
Benoit wrote. Instead
you have made thoughtful and creative attempts to assist the college in becoming more nimble and inventive.
