2023 Faculty in the South Survey

An extensive survey released on Sept. 7 and conducted by the Georgia, North Carolina and Texas conferences of the American Association of University Professors [AAUP],  the United Faculty of Florida, and Texas Faculty Association has revealed that an overwhelming majority of faculty members in these states are deeply dissatisfied with the current state of higher education. 

The survey, which received responses from more than 4,250 individuals, highlights the significant impact of political interference and changes to tenure on faculty morale and retention. More than 1,450 University System of Georgia faculty responded. 

Key findings from the survey indicate that more than 65 percent [66.7] percent of respondents would not recommend their state as a desirable place to work for colleagues, while about a third [31 percent] are actively considering interviewing elsewhere in the coming year. About 20 percent [19.7] have interviewed in other states since 2021. Surprisingly, North Carolina emerged as one of the top states where faculty members sought alternative employment opportunities, after California, New York, and Massachusetts. Every state in the nation was listed at least four times. 

In Georgia, about a quarter [27.8 percent] plan to interview elsewhere this coming year. More than 15 percent [16.6] of respondents say they interviewed elsewhere since 2021. Those who sought new jobs listed several states in which they interviewed, especially in the Southeast. The top locations for faculty seeking to leave were Massachusetts, California, and North Carolina.

The survey also sheds light on the primary factors driving faculty members to seek employment elsewhere. About 60 percent of those considering leaving cited salary [58.7] and their state's broad political climate [58.2] as the top concerns. Academic freedom was identified by over 50 percent of respondents, while issues related to tenure and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) were mentioned by more than 40 percent. Shared governance, LGBTQ+ issues, and reproduction/abortion access were also significant factors for about 30 percent of respondents.

In Georgia, the top issue grounding a desire to leave was salary, but after that were several issues that affect faculty such as changes to tenure, the state’s broad political climate, and academic freedom.

Furthermore, the survey revealed the detrimental effects of political attacks and policy changes on hiring within higher education. About 50 percent of respondents noted a decrease in the number of applicants and candidates hesitant to proceed with the interview process. More than 45 percent observed a decline in the quality of applicants. Additionally, more than 40 percent of respondents were aware of offer refusals, leading to the loss of top-notch talent within their departments. About 15 percent of respondents said there was no impact. 

In Georgia, more than a third of respondents noted fewer applicants, a lower quality of applicants, and candidates expressing hesitancy in interviews. More than a quarter said they knew of offer refusals. Less than 20 percent [17.5] knew of no impact on hiring and retention. 

About a third of faculty in the Southern states said they do not plan to stay in academia long term. 

These Georgia-specific results echo an October 2022 survey conducted by the Georgia AAUP in the initial aftermath of the March 2022 AAUP censure of the USG. The USG remains under AAUP censure despite edits in April 2023 to its tenure policy. Those edits don’t allow for faculty peers to judge the merits of the possible termination, only a hearing to decide if established processes have been followed up to the point of the hearing. 

News Coverage of 2023 Faculty in the South Survey:

In These Red States, Professors Are Eyeing the Exits - The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 2023

New laws in Florida and elsewhere are pushing faculty to leave, survey says - Tampa Bay Times, September 2023

Nearly a Third of Faculty Considering Leaving States Over Political Climate, Survey Says - Insight into Diversity, September 11

Is the political climate in southern states driving a faculty exodus? - Higher Ed Dive, September 8

Survey: University System of Georgia faculty report dissatisfaction - Atlanta Journal Constitution, September 7

Texas’ political environment driving faculty to leave, survey finds - Texas Tribune, September 7