College Professors Flirt With Leaving Texas Due to Political Issues & Anti-DEI Legislation
Jose Nino
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Over 25% of college professors and faculty members indicated that they are considering leaving Texas due to dissatisfaction with the state of higher education.
The poll was carried out by the American Association of University Professors and the Texas Faculty Association. This poll’s release came after the passage of two controversial bills which affected tenure and prohibited diversity, equity and inclusion offices. Both bills brought up concerns with respect to the recruitment and retention of Texas higher education faculty and attempts to impose censorship in the Texas higher education system.
Of the professors polled, 28.7% indicated they would interview at another institution or higher learning and 19.1% have already interviewed for an out-of-state job since 2021. 63.3% indicated they would not recommend Texas as a place for employment to colleagues.
The major concerns of those polled are connected to the political climate in Texas, compensation, academic freedom, and diversity. Roughly 40% listed tenure issues as a primary factor to leave the state, the poll discovered.
Nearly 50% of polled faculty stated they had noticed fewer applicants, while others indicated that they noticed that candidate applications pools are worsening.
Senate Bill 17, which prohibits the establishment of higher education diversity, equity and inclusion offices and diversity connected training and programs has encountered resistance from students and faculty. The University of Houston shuttered its diversity and LGBTQ offices to stay in compliance with the bill but has plans of opening a Center for Student Advocacy and Community during student protests.
Survey results hint at one-third of professors not planning to stay in academia in the long-term. For those with the hope of leaving the state, their top choices were California, Colorado, and New York.
“These findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, administrators, employers, and other concerned citizens, emphasizing the urgent need to address the concerns raised by faculty members. Failure to do so may result in a significant exodus of faculty, challenges attracting academic talent, and an overall decline in the quality of higher education,” a statement published along with the poll highlighted.
If we’re being honest, these disgruntled academics should get their boxes and bags packed and get out of the Lone Star State. Lawmakers are doing the right thing by passing legislation that makes these parasites squirm. That’s how we set things straight in Texas and other red states.
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