Why It Matters
North Dakota University System employees identified pay as their leading requested change while reporting satisfaction with their benefits. The findings cover faculty, staff and administrators across the system’s 11 public colleges and system office.
What Happened
The University System conducted a rewards survey from Sept. 14-30 to gather employee views on compensation, benefits and the overall rewards package. About 41% of eligible faculty, staff and administrators responded; temporary and student employees were not included.
Among 3,069 respondents, 2,260 selected “More competitive pay” as one of their top three desired changes. Health insurance ranked as the most-valued benefit, followed by a retirement plan and increased pay.
Employees also submitted comments identifying paid family medical leave and improved vision and dental insurance as leading themes. Survey results were presented to the State Board of Higher Education last month.
Jane Grinde, chief human resource officer for the University System, told the board, “the top results from the survey have been consistent over the three surveys.”
By the Numbers
11 — public colleges in the North Dakota University System
Sept. 14-30 — survey period
41% — approximate share of faculty, staff and administrators who responded
3,069 — employees who responded
2,260 — respondents selecting “More competitive pay” among their top three desired changes
29% — respondents who strongly agreed they would seek other employment if required to pay part of their health insurance premium
33% — respondents who agreed they would seek other employment if required to pay part of their health insurance premium
Third — biennial compensation survey conducted by the University System
Zoom Out
The survey placed compensation and benefits in the same employee feedback process. While more competitive pay was the top requested change, health insurance and retirement benefits ranked ahead of increased pay among the most-valued benefits.
What’s Next
The survey results have been presented to the State Board of Higher Education. The University System’s next steps were not specified in the provided material.