Christian College Distinctives: A Study of the Institutional Satisfaction and Morale at Christian College Coaliton Institutions

Abstract

In response to declining morale of college faculty, the Council of Independent Colleges, designed a multi-year project, "The Future of the Academic Workplace in Liberal Arts Colleges," to learn more about how college faculty perceive the academic workplace. The project directors, R. Eugene Rice and Ann E. Austin, focused the study on an examination of faculty morale and satisfaction and various dimensions of organizational culture.

The present study conducted secondary analyses of the Academic Workplace data to determine the significance of institutional type (independent variable) upon the levels of satisfaction and morale (dependent variables). Six institutional types were identified by religious affiliation: Christian College Coalition (meaning, for these purposes, Protestant Evangelical—14 %), Protestant Mainline (39%), Catholic General (3%), Catholic Women's Orders (24%), Secular (15%), and Religious Other (5%). Other factors of significance were explored in order to ascertain distinctive characteristics related to the institutional types.

Case study methodology was employed as a qualitative measurement at four Christian College Coalition institutions-Westmont College (California), Gordon College (Massachusetts), Eastern Mennonite College (Virginia), and Northwest Nazarene College (Idaho). Two of the colleges were among the original case study investigations conducted by the Academic Workplace Task Force.

The review of literature focused upon perspectives of organizational culture and leadership. The evangelical colleges were examined concerning the quality of the educational experience. The climate of higher education was surveyed for a clearer understanding of the academic environment.

The statistical methodology examined: (1) distinct organizational qualities; (2) comparative analysis of institutional types; (3) levels of satisfaction and morale; and (4) organizational culture. ANOVA procedures revealed significance of difference for the primary variables of satisfaction and morale among institutional types. The Student-Newman-Keuls procedure was utilized as a follow-up analysis.

The Christian College Coalition institutions differed significantly from other liberal arts colleges in levels of satisfaction and morale. Distinct organizational variables were identified with the Christian College Coalition environment: supportive work environment; trust and respect among colleagues; captivation with work; and religious and character role modeling.

Therefore, Christian College Coalition institutions were shown to be significantly different from other liberal arts colleges in terms of their faculty's satisfaction and morale.