The Better U survey returns campuswide this fall, Sept. 28 through Oct. 12.

The survey has been administered at U of U Health for three years and expanded to the main campus last year. Results have shaped decisions on communication, workload, career pathways and team culture.

This year’s survey will gather the insight the university needs to advance its Impact 2030 goals, which include promoting well-being as a core value.

“We are laying the foundation for the University of Utah’s next era with many major campus initiatives, and that work brings both opportunity and change,” said Jeff Herring, chief human resources officer. “Better U gives us the insight we need to support our employees through that evolution and to reinforce a culture where belonging and well-being remain central to who we are.”

How the survey works

A team with representatives from across campus has designed this process to gather valuable insights from faculty and staff in all roles and levels. By measuring engagement, well-being, belonging and burnout—along with the drivers behind those outcomes—the survey helps teams identify where to improve and learn from peers who report high levels of professional well-being.

“Better U highlights both the successes and the opportunities to make the University of Utah a great place to work,” said Amy Locke, chief wellness officer. “Feedback from Better U leads to team-level or local changes and identifies system-level issues that require more coordination or time to address. Addressing both is critical.

“While we have a long way to go, I have been impressed by the commitment to using Better U data to make decisions and set institutional goals designed to improve the experience of faculty and staff. This in turn helps us best educate the next generation, contribute knowledge, and serve our communities.”

What changed after last year’s survey

The results of last year’s survey led to many changes across campus. For example, on main campus, leaders worked to improve communication and transparency by revamping several Academic Affairs newsletters and improving Academic Enterprise Planning tools. They continued their focus on student success by launching the Student Experience Project and enhancing advising, communication, and scholarship processes. They also launched the Compensation Project to align tenure-line and career-line faculty salaries to peer Association of American Universities (AAU) salaries for each person’s discipline and rank, calibrated for performance.

Across University of Utah Health, leaders used Better U results to strengthen the employee experience. For example, teams worked to improve communication and workplace culture through more transparent decision-making, leadership development, and opportunities to share feedback. They also focused on employee growth and well-being by clarifying career and promotion pathways, expanding coaching and training, improving workplace processes, and taking steps to address workload and burnout.

“As our clinical operations and health academics teams continue to evolve—and as we expand patient access to West Valley and beyond—this survey remains an important tool,” said Christian Sherwood, chief human resources officer for U of U Health. “It provides leaders at all levels with insights about their teams and helps them create actionable plans for change, as needed.”

What happens after the survey

The survey is confidential: no names or UIDs will be attached to responses or comments, so employees can answer honestly. Campuswide, any supervisor with five or more respondents will receive a customized dashboard showing their team’s overall results. The dashboard will help them pinpoint ways to improve team culture, functioning, and wellness. Managers will also have access to tools to help them create individualized plans for their teams based on survey feedback.

Ultimately, the survey exists to ensure that faculty and staff at the U feel seen, heard, and valued, and that they are empowered and supported to improve and find meaning in their work. Success will be measured not simply by response rates or scores, but by whether employees can point to something that has changed because they spoke up.

“The Better U survey leverages employees’ experiences into actionable insight, helping organizations foster a culture where health, wellness, and engagement can thrive,” said Philip Osteen, chief behavioral health officer for Academic Affairs.

How to participate

Each employee will receive an email with a personalized survey link on Sept. 28, 2026. The survey takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and results will be available within a few months of the survey closing.

Each campus has a Better U email address for survey questions. For main campus employees, email betteru-campus@utah.edu. For U of U Health employees, send inquiries to betteru-health@hsc.utah.edu. The Better U website and the Better U Pulse site also have more information.