Faculty Exodus: New Laws Drive Educators Out of Florida and Beyond

A survey of over 4,250 faculty members in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas reveals growing concerns over political interference in higher education and a widespread desire among faculty to seek employment in different states. Nearly half of the respondents in Florida expressed plans to leave the state within the next year. The survey highlighted issues such as restricted tenure, reduced diversity programs, and targeting of long-standing practices in higher education as reasons for faculty members wanting to leave. The survey also revealed concerns over the low number and qualifications of applicants for teaching positions. Faculty members cited academic freedom, pay, and tenure as additional reasons for wanting to leave. The majority of respondents described the political climate around higher education as "poor" or "very poor."