| This spring, the University of Tennessee System (UT) partnered with Gallup to develop and distribute the 2023 Campus Climate Survey. The survey was survey designed to solicit feedback about free speech and viewpoint diversity on each campus. Below is a systemwide snapshot of the survey results. Individual campus snapshots are available on the UT Transparency website. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Response Rate – The University saw a high response rate from faculty, staff and students, with 41% of faculty, 48% of staff and 16% of students responding to the survey, surpassing Gallup’s standard student response rate of 5%. Students – 92% of UT students say their campuses are committed to free expression; 89% personally feel comfortable expressing themselves. – Students who self-identify as liberal are least likely to agree their campuses are committed to free speech or to personally feel comfortable expressing their opinions. – After adjusting to the total UT student population, between 2% and 6% of students feel uncomfortable sharing their opinions. – Only 5% of UT students say they are not comfortable sharing their opinions in the classroom because they are concerned it will affect how they are evaluated. – Eight in 10 UT students agree they are exposed to different viewpoints on their campuses. Faculty/Staff – Faculty and staff are marginally less comfortable sharing their own opinions than they are to agree their campus facilitates free expression. – Ideological divides are clearer within personal expression: Faculty and staff who identify as conservative are less comfortable sharing their opinions than their colleagues who identify as moderate or liberal. About the Survey The survey was administered via web Jan. 23 – Feb. 20, 2023 to all currently-enrolled students as well as full- and part-time faculty and staff at UT Chattanooga, UT Health Science Center, UT Knoxville, UT Martin, UT Southern and the UT System administration office. Participants received survey invitations and up to seven reminder emails. |