A survey of faculty and selected administrators of liberal arts colleges was conducted, with the goals of achieving a greater understanding of the academic workplace for faculty in liberal arts colleges and identifying ways in which the vitality, commitment, morale, and productivity of the faculty could be enhanced. A total of 9,204 faculty in 142 colleges received the survey, and 4,271 responded. In addition, case studies were prepared for 10 colleges (College of Notre Dame of Maryland, College of St. Scholastica, Eastern Mennonite College, Gordon College, Greenville College, Lenoir-Rhyne College, Nebraska Wesleyan College, Simpson College, Smith College, and William Jewell College) which placed in the top third of surveyed institutions in terms of both faculty morale and satisfaction. The following preliminary findings are discussed: (1) degree of faculty satisfaction and morale is higher than expected at many liberal arts colleges; (2) high-morale colleges have congruent cultures and a strong sense of community; (3) institutional leadership practices are critical ingredients in forging strong communities and enhancing faculty morale; (4) the importance of a different conception of faculty scholarship, which emphasizes quality teaching, is growing; and (5) faculty career expectations appear different at liberal arts colleges. Three analyses are presented: "Comparison of Faculty Perceptions of the Workplace at Low and High Morale Colleges," by Ann E. Austin; "High Morale and Satisfaction among Faculty: Ten Exemplary Colleges," by R. Eugene Rice; and a tabulation of faculty responses to the survey (summary data and selected highlights and interpretations). The members of the study's task force are listed, as are the colleges surveyed. (KM)