Housing assistance programs place ASU-Jonesboro among 2009 "Great Colleges to Work For"

July 10, 2009 -- Arkansas State University-Jonesboro is one of 150 institutions of higher education recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2009 Great Colleges to Work For program. The announcement was made recently in a special supplement to the Chronicle. Among the 122 four-year institutions and 26 categories honored, ASU received special distinction for its housing assistance programs for faculty and staff. The Jonesboro campus is one of the few in the nation which has a program to provide housing for new incoming faculty and staff.

The Great Colleges to Work For program recognizes groups of 10 colleges and universities, based on enrollment, for specific policies and practices, including compensation and benefits, faculty-administration relations, and confidence in senior leadership. 

Robert Potts, Chancellor of ASU-Jonesboro, stated, “We are pleased with the number of our faculty and staff who participated in the survey, and that they reported that ASU is a good place to work.  Our administration and Board of Trustees work hard to provide a positive work environment and it is rewarding to know that our efforts are recognized.  Our employees are great colleagues and we value them highly.”

Results are based on responses from nearly 41,000 administrators, faculty members, and staff members at more than 300 institutions. The Chronicle of Higher Education requested analysis of the results from Modern Think LLC, a capital consulting firm that has conducted numerous “Best Places to Work” programs.

The survey was two-fold with the results from faculty, administration, and professional support staff paired with institutional demographic and workplace policies and practices from each institution.

Sandra Bramblett, project program manager for ASU Property Management, said that Arkansas State University owns homes on the east and west sides of the campus which provide walking access to classrooms, library, student union, and all campus destinations. She assists by placing newly employed faculty and staff in the homes. Bramblett said the occupants pay rent and utilities and the university maintains lawn care.

“Sometimes there is a waiting list, but we try to fill the homes as soon as there is an opening,” said Bramblett. “Sometimes residents need a place to stay temporarily until they can find a permanent home. They can sign a lease for campus housing for up to six months. After that time, the lease goes to a monthly rental basis. Also, residents can live in the homes for three consecutive years. It’s a very unique situation and not a common procedure among most universities.”

The Chronicle of Higher Education, based in Washington, D.C., is the No. 1 source of news, information and jobs for college and university faculty members and administrators.

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