Survey Participation Is an Important Step in Telling the U of A's Story

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The time is now to share how you feel about the value and impact the University of Arkansas provides. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university have all been emailed an online survey and are urged to take the time to fill it out. The survey is designed to gather information about the university’s strengths and weaknesses, its mission as a public land-grant and flagship institution, what people value most about the U of A and their perceptions of its impact to the state and nation. The information will be used to help guide the university's future communications.

“Listening to the varied perspectives of our campus community as well as alumni, Arkansans and others is crucial to developing an understanding of how people feel about the university, what really unifies us and where we still have work to do,” said Mark Rushing, assistant vice chancellor for university relations. “This understanding will help us accurately define who we are and allows us to authentically convey what we do and why it matters.”

The survey was first sent out to stakeholders in late January and so far more than 7,000 people have completed it. It is be sent out once again today for anyone who missed the first with the survey period ending Feb. 20. The results will provide quantitative data to compare with qualitative feedback gathered this summer in a series of 87 in-depth interviews representing 16 different stakeholder groups.

The university began collecting information to develop unified messaging themes early last year after forming four campus working groups of faculty, staff and students, who have helped guide the process to better define and communicate the university’s mission, identity and image.

The process will continue this year with and should be completed near the beginning of the fall semester.