In many cases, there are many ‘Uncertain’ responses (n2019 = 36) collected from the current survey that brings down the average score compared to the previous year (n2018 = 1). In terms of policy making roles and functions, Board members feel more confident in themselves but have lower expectations compared to the previous year. On the other hand, the Board members feel the same in terms of organization & operation, and leadership & accountability. Overall, the Board members feel the same about themselves, averaging as ‘Above Average’ in their performance, from the past year to current.
When analyzing the essays, responses are categorized into a few major key words to obtain a comparable measure. Table 3 below shows a comparison between 2 (two) years of responses.
Table 3. Essay Responses Comparison
| Questions | Key words | Total Responses 2019 | Total Responses 2018 | Change |
|---|
| What are the Board's greatest strengths? (List at least 3 examples) | Unity | 5 | 2 | ↘ |
| Diverse | 0 | 4 | ↘ |
| Caring for university | 7 | 6 | ↘ |
| Honesty | 1 | 3 | ↘ |
| Communication | 4 | 5 | ↘ |
| Skills | 2 | 5 | ↘ |
| Others | 1 | 2 | ↘ |
| No response | 7 | 0 | ↘ |
| What are the areas in which the Board could improve? (List at least 3 examples) | Strategic planning | 1 | 1 | ▣ |
| Campus involvement | 2 | 6 | ↘ |
| Communication | 5 | 4 | ↘ |
| Finance | 1 | 2 | ↘ |
| Audit | 0 | 2 | ↘ |
| Others | 1 | 7 | ↘ |
| No response | 17 | 5 | ↘ |
| What are the major accomplishments of the Board this past year? (List at least 3 examples) | Leadership | 1 | 11 | ↘ |
| Award/recognition | 1 | 0 | ↘ |
| University performance | 5 | 5 | ▣ |
| Audit/evaluation | 4 | 4 | ▣ |
| Staff hiring/appointment | 1 | 3 | ↘ |
| Finance | 0 | 1 | ↘ |
| Others | 1 | 1 | ▣ |
| No response | 14 | 2 | ↘ |
| As a Board member, I am most pleased about: | President's Leadership | 2 | 5 | ↘ |
| Staff hiring/appointment | 0 | 1 | ↘ |
| Board performance | 6 | 2 | ↘ |
| No response | 3 | 1 | ▣ |
| As a Board member, I am most concerned about: | Finance | 1 | 4 | ↘ |
| Communication | 1 | 1 | ▣ |
| Government | 3 | 0 | ↘ |
| Others | 4 | 3 | ↘ |
| No response | 3 | 1 | ▣ |