Universities, often perceived as bastions of progressive thought, are increasingly reflecting the broader political polarization gripping the nation.
Faculty members represent a university’s core identity and mission. They express the values of the institution in numerous ways, including teaching, mentoring, advising and researching.In my research into the impact of college on student development and learning, I – and others – have found that faculty are the most important people influencing student learning, development, persistence and degree attainment.
However, no systematic efforts have ever been undertaken to find out how faculty’s work is influenced by their understanding of university life and religion – until now.
The templeton Religion Trust, a charity focused on improving societal well-being through understanding individual well-being, funded a recent national survey my team and I administered to 1,000 faculty members. The survey asked faculty about their perceptions of university life,including free speech and diversity,equity and inclusion initiatives,often shortened to simply DEI.
The survey results reveal a striking divergence in perspectives on the often divisive issues of free speech and DEI among faculty. Those differences showed up especially along the red state and blue state divide.
Yet, amid these deep disagreements, a surprising point of bipartisan consensus emerges: faculty members’ belief in the importance of religious, spiritual and secular inclusion in diversity efforts.
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State political leaning is key
Survey responses represented national trends across various factors, including region, institutional control, institutional type and academic discipline.
In part of the analysis,we uncovered that the political leanings of a state – how a state voted in the presidential election of 2024 – play a important role in what faculty perceive about free speech and DEI programming.
Even more compelling, significant differences reported by faculty from red versus blue states showed up consistently across gender, race, religion, academic discipline, faculty rank and whe## Faculty Divided on DEI, But Find Common Ground in Religious, Spiritual, and Secular Inclusion
A new survey reveals a stark ideological divide among college and university faculty regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, mirroring the broader national debate.However, a significant area of consensus emerges around the importance of supporting students’ religious, spiritual, and secular identities.
The survey, conducted by Inspires Index, highlights a partisan chasm in perspectives on the value and impact of DEI initiatives. A data visualization accompanying the report [https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Dpkxu/2/](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Dpkxu/2/) illustrates this division.
Faculty in states traditionally considered “red” demonstrate moderate support for banning DEI programs, with many believing current efforts to curtail campus diversity initiatives are “well justified.” Conversely, faculty in “blue” states overwhelmingly support the continuation of DEI programs, strongly endorsing the idea that colleges and universities “should continue to offer identity-specific organizations and programming.”
This polarization reflects the ongoing national discussion about the role and scope of DEI in higher education. Faculty opinions closely align with the political leanings of their respective regions. Recent debates have centered on concerns about DEI’s impact on academic freedom, meritocracy, and potential for reverse discrimination, while proponents emphasize its importance in creating equitable access and fostering inclusive campus environments.
However, amidst this significant disagreement, a crucial area of common ground has been identified: religious, spiritual, and secular inclusion. This concept advocates for DEI efforts to include programming and activities designed to help students from *all* belief backgrounds – religious, secular, and spiritual – feel a sense of belonging and succeed academically.
The survey data shows overwhelming agreement on this point across the political spectrum. Both red state and blue state faculty strongly agree that “colleges and universities should provide support for students of all religious, secular, and spiritual identities and backgrounds.” Moreover, both groups largely reject the idea that “campuses should not concern themselves with religious, secular and spiritual diversity.”
This shared commitment to inclusivity regarding belief systems offers a potential pathway forward. By focusing on areas of consensus, institutions can begin to foster more inclusive environments that serve the needs of all students.
Understanding these nuanced perspectives is a critical first step toward building more cohesive, pluralistic and intellectually vibrant academic communities across the nation. The Inspires Index, which focuses on religious and worldview diversity on campus, argues that recognizing and supporting the diverse beliefs of students is essential for creating a truly inclusive learning environment.