The results of President Julie Sullivan’s planning survey show students, faculty and staff all share a similar vision for St. Thomas as the university transitions into a new era.
Sullivan said in her convocation address that results from the survey helped influence the decision to focus on three themes: academic excellence, Catholic identity and organizational culture.
Michael Cogan, associate vice president for Records and Institutional Effectiveness, said the survey results included everything from thoughts on Catholic identity to admiration for the university’s staff. Cogan said the responses from employees and students mirrored each other in some respects.
“The faculty and staff recognized very much that this is a teaching and learning institution, and I think the students were very clear that that was a real strength of the institution,” Cogan said.
Students and staff also widely agreed on tuition costs and the importance of keeping St. Thomas affordable.
“One of the aspects that showed up from faculty and staff was that that we need to make tuition and the cost of attaining an education more affordable,” Cogan said.
Cogan said the survey helped staff identify the university’s strengths and weaknesses.
“It was an opportunity to understand or celebrate what we do well, while at the same time identifying opportunities we have to go forward,” Cogan said.
Around 3,142 St. Thomas community members responded to the survey: 75 percent of the staff, 36 percent of the adjunct faculty, 24 percent of the undergraduate student body, and 20 percent of the graduate student body.
Junior Katie Jones responded to the survey and said she admires St. Thomas’ unique approach to creating an informed student body.
“(St. Thomas) likes to form really well-rounded people. That’s why there are so many core classes you have to take when you come here and in so many different areas,” Jones said. “That’s what I enjoy most about it because I think it’s really important.”
Other students weren’t so quick to respond to the survey. Senior Sam Pawlak said he had no interest in taking it.
“I see a survey and I’m like, nope, not happening,” Pawlak said.
Even though he didn’t participate in the survey, Pawlak said diversity is one of the key issues he sees affecting St. Thomas.
“It would be nice if it was a little more diverse. They try, but to some degree when there’s that much of an expense coming into a school it’s tough to get a lot of serious diversity,” Pawlak said. “It would be nice, I don’t know if it’s realistic. It’s getting better, I suppose.”
Freshman Katheryn Murphy wasn’t a student yet when the survey was administered however, after her first few days of school, she said she has noticed some positives in the university’s values.
“I think (St. Thomas has) a good commitment to learning,” Murphy said. “They really want you to succeed and there’s a lot of opportunities and sources to help you.”