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Upper Iowa University

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Upper Iowa University reviews

3.0

44% would recommend to a friend

(118 total reviews)

Dr. William R. Duffy II

39% approve of CEO

30% positive business outlook

Upper Iowa University has an employee rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars, based on 118 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Upper Iowa University employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

118 reviews
1.0
Jun 26, 2016

Caustic environmentt

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some people (deans & faculty) have the best interest of the students at heart.

Cons

Many in higher "leadership" positions stumble over their EGO!!! This is a very top heavy, top down, old school, militant-like, demeaning organization that does not value the people they employee. Decision making is shrouded in smoke screens and mirrors. The people that call themselves leaders are old school militant-type managers that are more focused on chain of command rather than real issues.

1.0
Jun 1, 2016

Director

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working with students: a characteristic of the industry rather than the specific employer. No specific pros working for this employer.

Cons

Advice to job seekers: Run away from this employer. This was the most dysfunctional organization I have ever experienced first hand in my 30+ years. Senior and middle management with competing priorities, goals, and directives meant that every step made was wrong to somebody. Complete lack of or extremely outdated infrastructure: military communication and command structure (where it existed at all), technology dating from the 90's (no instant messaging system, antiquated mainframe database), recycled phone system, frequently broken HVAC, basic electricity was often absent, no HR department until recently (one full time person for their entire U.S. operation; no employee handbook); Two year staff turnover rates as high as 100% at many U.S. Centers. Frequent turnover of regional managers compounded poor leadership and contradictory organizational direction. This, paired with absent or broken infrastructure needs, resulted in a completely haphazard or crisis-management culture where even small successes were out of reach for most faculty and staff. Punitive measures, including random and frequent firing of staff and adjuncts without cause are commonplace. To top things off, the lowest salary in the industry for staff. Faculty salaries are also near the low end.

1.0
Dec 31, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some good people. Picturesque campus. As stated by a previous reviewer, co-workers bond over misery.

Cons

Look forward to being overworked, underpaid, and not respected to make decisions in the job you were hired for. Poor leadership abounds. Double-digit budget cuts, salary cuts/freezes, and poor faculty/staff retention rates. Large sums of money wasted on random vendors and initiatives. One of the strategic priorities is "valuing people," and many here give a wry smile to that because it's not true in practice. Staff pay is on the low end of the scale, with some assistant director-level positions starting in the $30,000 range and directors in the $40,000 range. There are similar jobs that pay 30-50% better within the state of Iowa. Many areas are understaffed, so existing staff are asked to do more. Burnout is common. Read the other reviews on here and other sites, because they are reflective of a bad culture. It's more than just a few "disgruntled employees" or however they try to explain things away. You can do better.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 118 Reviews

Glassdoor has 136 Upper Iowa University reviews submitted anonymously by Upper Iowa University employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Upper Iowa University is right for you.