In the face of escalating college expenses, diminishing public support for higher education, and a myriad of political hurdles, provosts maintain a positive outlook regarding the educational experiences their institutions provide. An impressive 99 percent of provosts affirm that their colleges deliver a high-quality undergraduate education. Furthermore, a significant majority—91 percent—express satisfaction with their administrative roles, while 86 percent enjoy their responsibilities as chief academic officers.
These insights are derived from the recent survey conducted by Hanover Research, which gathered responses from 478 provosts during June and July. The survey delves into the evolving federal policy landscape, the increasing significance of artificial intelligence, the state of tenure and academic freedom, and the well-being of faculty and staff.
Adapting to a Changing Federal Policy Landscape
The survey reveals a prevailing sentiment among provosts that the current federal policy environment is not conducive to the well-being of colleges. A mere 9 percent believe that new federal regulations are likely to yield long-term benefits for higher education institutions.
Over half of the provosts—56 percent—report a decline in federal funding during the latter part of the previous administration, a concern echoed by 46 percent of college chief business officers. Notably, 92 percent of provosts at public doctoral institutions indicate a similar trend, highlighting their vulnerability to shifts in federal policy, particularly in light of significant cuts to research funding from key agencies.
In response to these funding challenges, institutions are exploring various strategies. Approximately 40 percent of provosts are seeking alternative funding sources, such as private donations or partnerships with industry. Additionally, 21 percent have reallocated internal resources to safeguard essential programs, while a third have made adjustments to programs reliant on federal grants.
Concerns extend beyond research funding, as 74 percent of provosts express significant worry regarding potential alterations to federal student aid programs. Recent legislative changes have introduced new caps on federal student loan funding, leaving many administrators uncertain about the future of financial aid.
“In these turbulent times, effective communication from leadership is crucial to prevent misunderstandings and missteps among staff.”
—Mike Gavin, President of Delta College
Moreover, 65 percent of provosts are apprehensive about the enrollment of international students, which has been adversely affected by recent visa policies and funding cuts.
Institutional responses to the shifting policy landscape vary widely. Nearly half of the provosts describe their approach as “strategic compliance,” focusing on necessary adjustments to maintain compliance while upholding institutional values. In contrast, 41 percent adopt a “wait and see” strategy, postponing major changes until the implications of new policies become clearer.
Monitoring Academic Freedom
The past several months have seen numerous reports highlighting challenges to academic freedom, a sentiment reflected in the survey results. Approximately 22 percent of provosts acknowledge that academic freedom at their institutions has been affected by the evolving federal policy landscape. Half of the respondents indicate that while academic freedom is generally upheld, it faces increasing challenges.
Despite these concerns, 36 percent of provosts assert that academic freedom remains robust and well-protected at their institutions. However, the fact that half of provosts recognize challenges to academic freedom raises alarms about the pressures faced by faculty.
Tenure continues to be a significant concern for provosts, with 57 percent believing that the advantages of tenure outweigh its drawbacks. This perspective is particularly pronounced among provosts at public doctoral institutions, where 73 percent view tenure as crucial to institutional health.
As reliance on non-tenured faculty persists, 69 percent of provosts anticipate maintaining their current dependence on adjunct faculty over the next two years. In response, many institutions are enhancing recognition for teaching-only roles and offering multiyear contracts to non-tenure-track faculty.
Provosts are also increasingly extending academic freedom policies to non-tenure-track faculty, with two-thirds reporting formal extensions of these policies.
Staff turnover is a growing concern, with nearly half of provosts noting higher-than-average turnover rates. Factors contributing to this trend include competitive job offers, burnout, and natural career progression. Interestingly, only a small percentage attribute turnover to the political climate in their regions.
Despite the challenges, over half of provosts rate their overall well-being as good or excellent, although those who perceive their roles as primarily reactive report lower well-being.
“Provosts are navigating both strategic planning and crisis management, often without adequate support from peers who understand their challenges.”
—Julian Vasquez Heilig, Professor of Educational Leadership
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
As federal policies evolve, provosts are also grappling with the implications of artificial intelligence in higher education. Nearly 90 percent of provosts report that discussions about AI are taking place among faculty, with 77 percent indicating that senior leadership is engaged in these conversations.
Half of the provosts perceive generative AI as a moderate risk to academic integrity, while others are divided on its potential impact. A growing number of institutions are reviewing their curricula to ensure students are prepared for an AI-driven workforce, with 29 percent having already conducted reviews.
Professional development opportunities related to AI are being offered at many institutions, and half of the provosts are actively developing policies regarding AI use. However, only a small fraction have established comprehensive governance policies.
AI applications are becoming increasingly prevalent, with many institutions utilizing virtual chat assistants and AI for research and administrative processes. As institutions navigate the complexities of integrating AI into their operations, the focus remains on preparing students for the future workforce.
Ultimately, the responsibility of higher education institutions extends beyond merely adapting to AI; it involves equipping students with the skills and mindset necessary to shape the future of AI in meaningful ways.