A recent American Association of University Professors (AAUP) survey of faculty at colleges across twelve Southern states reveals a sharp increase in concerns over personal safety. Professors say they face intimidation, death threats and doxxing, especially when teaching subjects deemed “controversial.”
Survey findings
The AAUP collected about 2,700 responses, including 41 from Louisiana institutions. Compared with prior years, a larger share of faculty reported fearing for their physical safety as well as their careers. One North Carolina professor described a non‑student entering the classroom with a gun to intimidate them, while another recounted an email death threat from a student.
Respondents from Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia and other states cited similar experiences. In North Carolina, a new law requiring public posting of course outlines has led to increased threats. In multiple states, legislators have passed laws banning the teaching of “divisive” topics and restricting diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Impact on academic freedom
Faculty say they are self‑censoring or avoiding certain words—such as gender, racism or even “trans”—to avoid retaliation. Some report that administrators are using AI tools to scan syllabi for prohibited language. The climate has also spilled into personal lives; a Florida assistant professor said they left their church after a youth pastor labeled academics as enemies of the faith.
Incidents of students recording lectures and sharing them out of context were also noted, heightening faculty anxiety about being misrepresented.
Career moves and broader concerns
Nearly 29% of surveyed professors have applied for jobs outside the South since 2024, and the same percentage are considering leaving. The top reason cited is the region’s political climate, followed by perceived erosion of academic freedom, changes to diversity policies, low pay, limited LGBTQ+ rights and restrictions on reproductive health care.
Additional findings include 14% of faculty viewing artificial intelligence as a threat to their discipline, and 13% reporting loss of federal research grants since President Trump returned to office. The Trump administration has reshaped federal research funding, cancelling millions in grants and reducing administrative resources for research projects.
Local implications
While the survey reflects a national trend, the experiences of faculty in Louisiana, Texas and other Southern states underscore the need for community leaders, parents and faith‑based groups to defend academic freedom and protect educators from harassment.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
