Faculty report self-censoring ahead of November 3 midterms

Fifty percent of faculty feel less free to discuss DEI

This figure marks a decrease from 65 percent in 2024.

Breaking down these results, 69 percent of Black faculty and 55 percent of Hispanic faculty report feeling less free to discuss these topics than they did one year ago.

Faculty also report changes in their comfort levels regarding other sensitive subjects. Eleven percent of faculty feel less free to discuss contraception, down from 23 percent in 2024, while 18 percent feel less free to discuss vaccines, down from 26 percent in 2024.

Forty-seven percent of faculty refrain from extramural utterances

Forty-seven percent of faculty members reported refraining from extramural utterances, such as social media posts, because of their campus or political environment.

Twenty-four percent of faculty members reported holding back from researching or publishing on certain topics they would otherwise pursue. Forty percent of faculty members reported refraining from including certain materials on their syllabi.

This practice has faced scrutiny from Republican politicians and led to doxing.

Forty-five percent of faculty identify federal interference as top concern

Forty-five percent of faculty identified federal interference as their top concern regarding the current state of higher education.

Other primary concerns include the cost of college at 24 percent, declining academic freedom at 22 percent, state-level interference at 20 percent, and declining enrollment at 16 percent.

Half of faculty identify AI as primary concern

This shift has also damaged trust among faculty.

Six in 10 faculty report declining enthusiasm for higher education

Only 9 percent of faculty members reported that their enthusiasm has increased over the same period.

Among tenured or tenure-track faculty, 37 percent report somewhat decreased enthusiasm and 26 percent report a significant decrease. Full-time, non-tenure-track faculty reported a 41 percent somewhat decreased enthusiasm and a 20 percent significant decrease.

Part-time, non-tenure-track faculty reported a 37 percent somewhat decreased enthusiasm and 14 percent a significant decrease.

Fifty-eight percent of Texas faculty report desire to leave state

In Texas, 58 percent of faculty report a desire to leave the state. Nearly half of Florida faculty, or 49 percent, also express a desire to move.

Regional data shows 39 percent of faculty in Plains states and 37 percent in the Southeast want to leave, compared to 2 percent in New England. Brezicha said state political climates influence where faculty apply for jobs.

Candidates express concerns about conducting research and thriving in states with "repressive laws," Brezicha said. Despite these desires, faculty members are not moving out of their states at high rates. Of 583 respondents who want to leave or feel unsure, 42 percent cite family obligations, 42 percent report difficulty finding comparable work, and 40 percent express attachment to their current institution.

Faculty turnover has decreased since 2024

Faculty turnover has decreased since 2024, which marked the end of the Great Resignation. A survey of provosts conducted by Inside Higher Ed and Hanover confirms this trend in retention.

Thirty-two percent of faculty expect positive midterm impact

Thirty-two percent of faculty expect the upcoming midterms to have a positive impact on their institution's mission. Seventeen percent expect a negative impact, while 51 percent expect no impact.

Among self-identified Democrats, 40 percent expect a positive midterm impact. Republicans hold different views, with 10 percent expecting a positive impact and 74 percent anticipating a neutral outcome.

The Chronicle reports that President Trump's falling approval rating has resulted in better-than-anticipated prospects for Democrats in various regions. Presidential historian Richard Lim remarked that Trump has stopped using any filter and is not known for his capacity to self-censor.