University of Arkansas in Fayetteville (Courtesy photo)
A majority of college faculty in southern states, including Arkansas, are concerned about political interference and are considering leaving academia, according to a new American Association of University Professors survey.
The new study, which received responses from more than 2,900 individuals, highlighted dissatisfaction with the political atmosphere surrounding higher education, with about 70% rating it poor or very poor.
Nearly 57% of respondents said they would not encourage out-of-state colleagues to seek employment in their current state, while 27% are considering interviewing elsewhere in the coming year.
These findings are a “wake-up call for policymakers and administrators” and emphasize the need to address faculty members’ concerns, according to an AAUP press release.
“Failure to do so may result in a significant brain drain and a decline in the quality of higher education in these states,” the release states.
The survey, conducted Aug. 14 to Sept. 1, used social media and email to distribute questionnaires, which garnered responses from faculty members in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.