Dear colleagues,

The advancement and dissemination of knowledge is the core function of public higher education. As Iowa’s public flagship university, the freedom of faculty to do that is protected through policies adopted by the Iowa Board of Regents, and the University of Iowa.

Applying equally to all faculty members, regardless of position or rank (e.g., tenure-track, clinical-track, instructional-track, research-track), these policies support your freedom to explore and discuss matters relating to your instructional and scholarly activities, even if some may disagree with or even disapprove of your work.

Board of Regents policy 3.10 (A) provides the following clarity: “University teachers shall be entitled to academic freedom in the classroom in discussing the teachers’ course subject but shall not introduce into the teaching controversial matters that have no relation to the subject.” 

The same is true for the research and creative endeavors as spelled out by Board of Regents policy 3.10 (C): “Universities shall uphold the principle of academic freedom in their research and creative endeavors and support full freedom, within the law, of expressions in research investigation and dissemination of results through presentation, performance, and publication.”

As the university vigorously supports your intellectual freedom, we ask that you continually dedicate yourselves to the responsibilities that come with that freedom. Board of Regents policy 3.10 (B) also reminds us that: “Instruction should be presented in a manner that fosters critical thinking and avoids indoctrination of one perspective. Faculty are expected to uphold academic integrity, encourage open and respectful inquiry, and present coursework in a way that reflects the range of scholarly views and ongoing debate in the field.”

If you have any questions about these policies or are uncertain about your rights or the rights of your students, please consult with your department head or the Office of the Provost.

The university is committed to the quest for knowledge and understanding, wherever it may lead, and to reporting and discussing the findings, whatever they may be.

We are excited for this academic year, and we look forward to working with each of you to advance our university’s mission.

With best wishes,

Barbara Wilson
President

Kevin Kregel
Provost

Roxanna Curto
Faculty Senate President