Pay, jobs highlight Akron poll results Pay and professional treatment are sources of unhappiness for many bench chemists. For chemists in managerial positions there is much less unhappiness on these scores. These are two of the major findings from a poll earlier this year of the membership of the Akron Section of ACS. The poll received a high response of slightly more than 40%. It also indicates that in the opinion of Akron members ACS should maintain its scientific activities at their present level, and it should increase its efforts to improve the economic and professional employment status of the chemist. In addition, the poll revealed that an unexpectedly high percentage of respondents want a bargaining organization separate from ACS. The survey was conducted by the professional activities committee of the Akron Section with approval of the section's executive committee. A three-part questionnaire was sent to each of the section's 1127 members. 453 usable responses were received. Of those identifying their level of education, 46% were Ph.D.'s, 22% had an M.S. degree, and 32% a B.S. degree. 91% of the respondents worked for industry—far higher than the average of about 65% for the entire ACS membership. By level of work experience 68% had more than 10 years and 24% had more than 30 years. 36% of them specialized in polymer chemistry, and organic chemistry accounted for another 10%. 44% identified themselves as "management" and 56% as "nonmanagement." Of all respondents, 11% indicated they were poorly satisfied with the professional treatment they were receiving, 54% were fairly satisfied, and 35% were very satisfied. However, there were marked differences in the responses of nonmanagers and of managers. For instance, about 18% of nonmanagers were poorly satisfied whereas only about 25% were very satisfied. For managers, less than 5% were dissatisfied, and 46% were very satisfied. The same dichotomy appears in opinions of pay for professional services. Of all respondents, 16% were poorly satisfied, 59% reasonably satisfied, 'and 25% very satisfied. However, for nonmanagers, about 22% were dissatisfied, compared with only about 6% of the managers. Also, only about 19% of nonmanagers were very satisfied, compared with about 35% of the managers. The degree of satisfaction with professional treatment and with pay does not vary dramatically with level of education. For instance, the percentage dissatisfied with professional treatment ranges from about 8% at the B.S. level to about 14% at the M.S. level. In terms of pay, dissatisfaction varies be-
tween about 13% of those at the B.S. level and about 17% for those at the M.S. level. The respondents to the survey apparently are interested in maintaining the quality of ACS's publications program. Only 1% want the society to lower the standards for acceptance of articles for publication in its scientific journals. 66% want present standards maintained, and 33% would prefer higher standards. However, 29% call for a decrease in the number of scientific articles published whereas only 8% would like to see an increase. As to the overall scientific activities of the society, the poll indicates there seems to be some desire for .an increase at the divisional and local levels. For instance, 22% would like to see more local section activity, whereas only 3% prefer a decrease. Activity at the national level is seen as being about right-—15% calling for an increase and 15% preferring a decrease. However, there is a very clear call for greater effort by the society to influence academic standards in chemistry and chemical engineering. 54% call for a greater effort in this direction. Only 1% want a decrease. There also is a mandate for a bigger effort on the part of ACS to improve the image of the chemical profession in the eyes of the public. 79% favor such an enhanced effort, only 1% prefer a
decreased effort. And there also is a clear call, by 71% of the respondents, for more effective communication between chemists and the local ACS. The Akron, Section membership is apparently squarely behind increased activity by ACS aimed at improving the economic and professional status of the chemist. 68% favor a greater effort in this area. Only 5% call for a decrease. When it comes to ACS's actually departing from its traditional role as a scientific and educational organization and becoming more of a professional society, however, there is a clear split among the respondents. 49% favor such a shift, 51% don't. About 55% of the nonmanagers responding to the poll favor this move, compared with about 45% of the managers. There is a sharper difference of opinion between nonmanagers and managers over the question of creating an independent bargaining organization for chemical professionals separate from ACS. 35% of all respondents favor such a move. However, about 46% of nonmanagers favor it whereas only about 22% of managers also do. There is a strong vote in favor of retaining the Guidelines for Employment adopted by the society this spring. 86% of respondents would like to see them maintained. Only 14% would like some changes. •
Corporation Associates details funding As has been the case for more than 20 years, ACS's budget next year will be enriched by funds from the society's Corporation Associates—a group of almost 200 companies that is concerned with the welfare of the science and profession of chemistry. These funds, which come from member company dues, will amount to $71,000 next year. Biggest recipients of this money will be Project SEED, Operation Interface, and the society's regional meetings. SEED is a program that provides chemical education for disadvantaged persons. Interface is a project aimed at promoting effective communication between academic and industrial chemists. Corporation Associates was formed in 1952 for the specific purpose of providing financial support for Chemical Abstracts and for the society's fundamental journals. In recent years the group has used its funds to support and encourage a wide range of ACS projects. Corporation Associates does not attempt to establish ACS policy by initiating projects of its own. It distributes its funds in response to requests from other ACS groups. For 1976 it received requests for a total of $118,000. $10,000 will go to SEED. This is down from $15,000 in 1975 and well below the 1976 request for $35,500, Corporation Associates has given SEED more than $80,000 over the
years. There likely will be no Corporation Associates fund for SEED in 1977. Corporation Associates explains it likes to use its funds to get valuable projects, such as SEED, started. But it prefers not to become the permanent financial support for a project. Operation Interface also will receive $10,000 in 1976. This project is in line with the associates' aim of promoting better relations between industry and academia. The third $10,000 award for 1976 is to the society's regional meetings. It will be used to help support special programs marking the ACS centennial. The magazine Chemtech will receive $8000 in 1976. The money will be used to continue a program aimed at getting the magazine into the hands of more students. The magazine Chemistry will receive $3000 for the same purpose. $5000 will go to help finance a centennial film for the society. And $4000 will be used to finance the ACS Award in Creative Invention—an award often won by an industrial chemist. Of the rest of the $71,000, $4000 will be for the Corporation Associates' annual meeting, $2000 for the group's annual report, $1000 for support of a professional orientation seminar, and $8000 for staff support. The remaining $6000 will be held in reserve for possible use in supporting other small projects. a Dec. 1, 1975 C&EN
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