This study looks closely at how university leaders use distance learning and remote work currently and in the post-pandemic future. It presents detailed estimates of the percentage of employees working from home in the recent past, currently and in the near future. In open ended questions survey participants identify the facilities that they feel will be most impacted by the post pandemic use of distance learning and remote work. Participants also comment on the desirability and likely extent of the continuing use of distance learning and remote work post pandemic – and give their opinions of its effectiveness vis-à-vis alternatives.
The report is based on responses from 68 leaders in 60 major research universities predominantly from the USA but also from Canada, the UK, Australia and Ireland. Data is presented separately for 1) deans, provosts, and presidents; 2) academic department heads and 3) administrative department heads and others in leadership positions. The data in the report is also broken out by gender and age of respondent, as well as by public/private status and international university ranking of their affiliated institutions.
Just a few of the many findings of this 45-page report are:
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More than 83% of survey participants expect their universities to use distance learning to a greater or much greater extent post pandemic than pre-pandemic.
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University ranking and use of Zoom was positively correlated.
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59% of directors of administrative departments feel that as a result of increased use of distance learning and remote work that their universities will use some campus facilities less post pandemic than they had pre-pandemic.
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Large lecture halls and classroom space were often cited as facilities that will be the most significantly impacted.