Faculty economic realities: the survey
This is a preliminary draft for discussion purposes only
Please send any feedback to your Professional Officer Bonnie Huskins: mailto:BHuskins@rogers.com
Faculty economic realities: the survey
FAUST has become increasingly concerned over the course of this academic year by reports that several faculty members are experiencing significant financial distress. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that these problems may relate not at least partly to a recent rise in student debt loads, which tend to burden faculty in the very years when their earning power is lowest. Changes in career histories, family patterns and other obligations may be additional factors.
In order to better identify the nature and scope of the problems, FAUST requests your participation in the following informal survey. Please note that completion of this survey is entirely OPTIONAL.
INSTRUCTIONS: Results tabulated from this relatively informal survey will remain completely ANONYMOUS; submission option a) is therefore recommended, though other options have been provided for those who may find them more convenient. Respondents should not identify their names or departmental affiliations. The goal here is not to track individual issues but rather to collect aggregate data for the campus as a whole. With better information we hope to better identify possible steps the university and/or union may take in future to improve the STU workplace for all FAUST members. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
There are three options for filling out the survey:
a) download it as a Word file and type your answers on a computer, then print off a hard copy and submit to the “Suggestions” box attached outside the FAUST office (ECH 211)
b) download as a Word file and type your answers as above, then save and email the file to FAUST’s Professional Officer at bhuskins@rogers.com
c) obtain a hard copy and fill it in manually, again submitting to the “Suggestions” box attached outside the FAUST office (ECH 211).
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THE SURVEY (please underline or otherwise clearly indicate all that apply):
Section I. Generalfinancial concerns:
1) In subjective terms, how would you characterize your current financial situation?
a) well-off
b) comfortable
c) average
d) slightly challenging (occasional financial challenges)
e) moderately challenging (issues arise on a regular basis, but generally
they are manageable)
f) in significant distress (unmanageable issues arise on a regular basis)
g) crisis
2) If your answer to Question 1 falls within the range d) through g), what are the roots of your financial challenges? Choose as many responses as are applicable:
A) student loan debt
B) other forms of debt
C) family issues (dependant support, etc.)
D) insufficient work available for self
E) insufficient work available for partner
F) insufficient wages
G) housing costs
H) relocation costs
I) health problems
J) other (please specify as applicable):
3) Are you a full-time or part-time faculty member at STU? Part-time___
Full-time___
If part-time, proceed to Question 4.
If full-time, proceed to Question 5.
4) a. As a part-time faculty member, do you work at more than one institution? Y/N
b. Do you obtain enough work to make ends meet on a monthly basis? Y/N
c. How long have you been doing part-time academic work (years)? ______
d. Further comments (optional):
5) a. As a full-time faculty member, do you take voluntary overloads? Y/N
b. If your answer is yes, how many do you take in an average academic year? ___
c. How many have you taken in the last 5 years? ____
d. Are they generally taken for curricular or financial reasons, or both?
(underline as applicable)
e. Further comments (optional):
6) Does your financial distress negatively impact your work performance to a significant degree? Explain.
7) Does your financial distress negatively impact your home life and/or health to a significant degree? Explain.
8) Do you carry a significant balance on credit card(s)? Y/N
9) Have you sought emergency financial assistance since your arrival at STU? If so, from what source(s)?
A) bank
B) credit union
C) family
D) STU
E) FAUST
F) Other:
Section II. Student loan debt:
1) Did you take out student loans to finance your education? Y/N
If Yes, proceed to Question 2
If No, proceed to next section “How can we help you”?
2) approximately how much student debt did you have at graduation? ________
3) Would graduation have been possible without significant financial support from family? Y/N
4) How long has it been since you completed your last degree (years)? _____
5) Do you still carry a student loan debt? Yes___ No___
If Yes, proceed to Question 6
If No, proceed to Question 8
6) Approximately how much student loan do you still carry? (include debt that has been directly transferred to credit cards, lines of credit, and so on) $________
7) What proportion of your monthly salary goes to servicing this debt? _________%
8) If you no longer have a student debt load, how long did it take to pay if off after graduation (years) ________? How long have you been free of this debt (years)? ______
Section III. How can FAUST help?
1) Do you support the creation of an emergency loan program administered by FAUST? Y/N
If Yes, proceed to Question 2
If No, proceed to Question 3
2) Please provide details on how you think such a program should work. Would you be able to help us develop this initiative?
3) Why do you not support such a program? Are there any other measures you would suggest to help faculty members in financial distress?
Section IV. Further comments: