COACHE Retention and Exit Survey

COACHE Faculty Retention and Exit Survey

The COACHE Faculty Retention and Exit Survey, first piloted in 2015, is a survey study created and managed by Harvard University. The study seeks to standardize data collection on faculty who have received—or have the potential to receive—outside offers. Its goal is to identify patterns in the causes, costs, and processes of faculty mobility. Following the pilot, the survey has operated on a three-year cycle. 

In additional to demographic characteristics, the survey questions include: 

  • the search for a new position; 
  • the nature of the outside offer;
  • the compelling factors in a decision to depart or stay;
  • the influence of spouses’ and partners’ careers;
  • the counteroffer process;
  • the transition to a new institution;
  • the work environment.

Eligible Survey Population and Selection Process

Retention population

The retention group (including retention and preemptive offers) is based on information provided by the unit leaders. In accordance with COACHE guidelines, faculty who served as administrators at the associate dean level and above were not included. Faculty who remain technically employed only because they took a leave without pay (LWOP) while transitioning to a new institution are also excluded. 

Exit population

The exit population includes voluntary resignations occurring between July 1 of the previous year and June 30 of the current year. OVPFAA uses the HR Job Action Report to identify these faculty members. For example, in fall 2024, OVPFAA complies a list of faculty whose exit action effective date was between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Faculty administrators at the associate dean level and above, natural retirement, involuntary separations, and those who are still employed at IU in other capacities were excluded. 

IUB Participation in the COACHE Retention and Exit Survey

IU Bloomington participated for the first time in 2016. During the first iteration, it surveyed three cohorts of exiting faculty and retained faculty in AY2016-17, AY2017-18, and AY2018-19. Only full-time, tenure-eligible faculty were included in this cycle.  

In 2023, IU Bloomington participated in this study for the second time. The cohorts of exiting and retained faculty will be AY2023-24, AY2024-25, and AY2025-26. In this cycle, non-tenure track faculty were also included. Excluded from the population are Research Associates, Academic Specialists, Postdocs, Teachers, and Health Center Physicians.

IUB Results from the COACHE Retention and Exit Survey

IUB’s overall response rate of the 2016-19 survey cycle was 49%, compared to 39% across all participating institutions. To ensure anonymity, the COACHE team complies the three-year results and returned the data to IUB after removing identifiers such as names, departments, and emails.  

Results from the 2016-2018 survey were shared with campus leaders. For example, some findings were presented to the deans by the former Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  

In the 2023-2026 cycle, the year-one cohort (2023-2024) had an 40% response rate. The overall response rate across all participating institutions for this period is 32.3%.Results from this cycle (2023-26) will be available in 2027.