CLEMSON — Clemson University has been recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a great place to work.

In the inaugural “Great Colleges to Work For” list Clemson appears in the “Collaborative Governance” category for proactive involvement of faculty in decisions related to academic programs.

“The Clemson administration is not setting policy then dictating it to the Clemson campus,” said Debra Jackson, vice provost and assistant to the president at Clemson. “University faculty play a key role in setting the university on its path for success.”

Faculty involvement in the development of academic programs at Clemson can be traced to the creation of the Faculty Senate more than 50 years ago.

“The Faculty Senate has become increasingly active in the governance of the university and serves as the official representative body of the faculty and link between the faculty and the administration on matters of general and specific concern,” Jackson said.

The Senate reviews and recommends academic policies and procedures, which are compiled in the Faculty Manual. It also handles grievance procedures, makes recommendations concerning the welfare of the faculty and participates in the selection of top university administrators.

“The faculty members are champions for Clemson,” Jackson said.

“We are finding ways of working smarter, differently and more efficiently, which can be seen in the development of the university’s eight emphasis areas,” she said.

The emphasis areas came about after roundtable discussions with faculty in an effort to focus talent, energy and resources on areas that foster collaboration and promote the integration of teaching, research and service. The emphasis areas are advanced materials, automotive and transportation technology, biotechnology and biomedical sciences, general education, family and community living, information and communication technology, leadership and entrepreneurship and sustainable environment.

The Chronicle’s “Great Colleges to Work For” is not a ranking, rather an alphabetical list of schools that excel in the various categories. The schools are listed as small, medium or large based on the number of employees. Clemson is a large institution, having more than 2,500 employees. Institutions recognized in the list with Clemson include Stanford University, State University of New York-Buffalo, University of Kansas and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Survey results are based on responses from more than 15,000 administrators, faculty and staff at 89 colleges and universities. The list is available at www.chronicle.com and will appear in the print edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education on Friday.

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