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A Penn State Nittany Lion statue is seen in the courtyard of Penn State College of Medicine in Summer 2016. The statue is in focus toward the right side of the image. Out of focus in the background, green plants and trees are visible in the courtyard.

Commission for Women 2017 Climate Survey Results

Penn State Commission for Women in Hershey’s Climate Survey was launched April 3, 2017, and completed by 1,535 Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center employees (76.9 percent of total respondents), College of Medicine employees (19 percent) and College of Medicine students (4.1 percent). The mean age of respondents was 43.3 years old, and the majority of respondents identified as female (79.8 percent).

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Survey Findings

Topics of Importance and Satisfaction with Campus Resources Expand answer
  • Female faculty and staff were most interested in salary equity and benefits compared with other interests.
  • Female students have very different interests and needs compared with female faculty and staff. Students were most interested in managing their work/life/school balance, diversity and academic performance and reported the greatest dissatisfaction with health insurance and services and availability and quality of university housing.
  • Female respondents report more interested in health and wellness at work compared with males.
  • More than a third of respondents were dissatisfied with their workspace.
Recognition, Leadership and Mentorship Expand answer
  • Females were less likely than males to report being recognized for their work, with female staff the least likely to report recognition.
  • Males and students were the most likely to report opportunities for leadership.
  • Female faculty were the most likely to have and want a mentor.
Department Climate Expand answer
  • Generally department climate is perceived positively among both females and males.
  • Diversity within the respondents department was the item rated the lowest, especially among female students.
Overall Recommendations Expand answer
  • Educate on salary determination policies.
  • Prioritize health and wellness at work.
  • Encourage the recognition of females at all level of employment and provide opportunities for leadership.
  • Promote and foster diversity.

Survey Demographics

The survey was released April 3, 2017, to all Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center employees, College of Medicine employees and College of Medicine students.

Total completed surveys: 1,521

Mean age of survey respondents: 43.2 years (range: 20 to 85)

Gender of respondents: Female (79.8 percent; n=1,214), Male (19.7 percent; n=299), Other (0.5 percent; n=8)

Employer of respondents: HMC (76.9 percent) (n=1,172), COM (19 percent; n=288), Student (4.1 percent; n=61)

Reported job title of respondents: Faculty (18.1 percent), Staff (76.6 percent), Student (5.3 percent)

Topics of Importance and Satisfaction with Campus Resources

Topics of Importance Expand answer

A graph displays votes by approximately 1,500 people who took Penn State Commission for Women's 2017 Climate Survey about what topics are important to women in Hershey. The data are organized into votes by female faculty, female staff, female students and males (all roles).

Satisfaction with Campus Resources Expand answer

A graph displays votes by approximately 1,500 people who took Penn State Commission for Women's 2017 Climate Survey about satisfaction with campus resources for women in Hershey. The data are organized into votes by female faculty, female staff, female students and males (all roles).

Lactation Services Expand answer

20.6 percent (250 of 1,213) of female survey respondents reported being a nursing mother while at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center/Penn State College of Medicine in the year preceding the survey.

A graph displays votes by approximately 1,500 people who took Penn State Commission for Women's 2017 Climate Survey about lactation resources in Hershey.

Conclusions Expand answer
  • Female faculty and staff were most interested in salary equity, retirement and benefits.
  • Females were more interested in health and wellness at work compared with men.
  • Female students had very different interests and needs compared to female faculty and staff, indicating their unique place on campus.
  • Students were most interested in managing their work/life/school balance, diversity and academic performance and reported the greatest dissatisfaction with health insurance and services and availability and quality of university housing.
  • Approximately a third of all survey respondents were dissatisfied with their workspace, where female staff reported the greatest dissatisfaction.
  • Approximately one-half of nursing mothers reported that they did not feel the lactation spaces are properly equipped or that they had adequate access and time to use the space.

Recognition, Leadership and Mentorship

Recognition Expand answer

A graph displays votes by approximately 1,500 people who took Penn State Commission for Women's 2017 Climate Survey about recognition of work efforts. The data are organized into votes by female faculty, female staff, female students and males (all roles).

Opportunity for Leadership Expand answer

A graph displays votes by approximately 1,500 people who took Penn State Commission for Women's 2017 Climate Survey about opportunities for leadership. The data are organized into votes by faculty, staff and students, with female and male subgroupings in each.

Mentorship Expand answer

A graph displays votes by approximately 1,500 people who took Penn State Commission for Women's 2017 Climate Survey about the availability of mentors. The data are organized into votes by female faculty, female staff and males of all roles.

Conclusions Expand answer
  • Females were less likely than males to report being recognized for their work, with female staff the least likely to report recognition.
  • Males and students were the most likely to report opportunities for leadership.
  • Female faculty were the most likely to have and want a mentor.

Department Climate

Climate Expand answer

A graph displays votes by approximately 1,500 people who took Penn State Commission for Women's 2017 Climate Survey about their department's climate toward women. The data are organized into votes by female faculty, female staff, female students and males (all roles).

Conclusions Expand answer
  • Generally, department climate was perceived positively among both females and males.
  • Diversity was the item rated most negatively, especially among female students.

Comparison to 2014 Pilot Survey completed by CFW Members

2014 Survey Main Findings Expand answer
  • Survey was completed by 108 CFW members (23.2 percent faculty, 72.2 percent staff, 4.6 percent student).
  • The most important topics of interest for women were retirement (46 percent), working from home (49 percent) and salary equity (56 percent).
    • Retirement and salary equity remained important topics of interest.
  • 41 percent of prior nursing mothers expressed inability to access lactation spaces and 22 percent expressed difficulties scheduling time to do so.
    • Access to lactation spaces remains the same.
  • 27 percent of women were formally recognized for their work achievements.
    • Female faculty were the most likely to be recognized. Only approximately 15 percent of female staff and students were recognized.
  • 54 percent of women reported they were willing to take on leadership positions; 50 percent report that they have no opportunities.
    • Less than half of female faculty and staff have reported an opportunity for leadership.