Campus Decision Making and Shared Governance

At Iowa, we strive to foster an environment where learning and creativity can thrive. To achieve this, we protect academic freedom and free expression, maintain a safe and respectful environment, and promote collaborative approaches to decision making.

The University of Iowa is governed by the Iowa Board of Regents, and the President of the University, who is responsible for daily operations. The president works closely with university leaders and seeks input from the Faculty Senate, Staff Council, Student Government, and University Charter Committees when making key decisions.

What this means for you:

• Key decisions are made with input from a range of stakeholders.
• Your ideas, questions, and feedback are an important part of the decision-making process, and open expression is encouraged.

Iowa Code Chapter 261J: Restricting DEI at Public Institutions

Iowa Code Chapter 261J restricts the establishment, funding, and operation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and related activities at public institutions of higher education, including the University of Iowa.

What this means:

• The UI has undertaken a comprehensive review of its programming and activities to ensure compliance with state law and directives from the Iowa Board of Regents.
• We have taken significant steps to ensure all policies, programs, and activities align with this requirement.
• You can find an overview of categories of prohibited and allowed activities (including academic instruction, research, and activities of registered student organizations) on the Office of the General Counsel website.

Fundraising and Solicitation

Soliciting donations on campus from organizations, such as charitable organizations, not affiliated with a registered student organization or the university requires approval. The circumstances where approval is needed are outlined in the Fund Solicitation section in the Policy Manual. The University of Iowa Center for Advancement manages fundraising efforts on behalf of the university.

Gifts

To maintain ethical standards and ensure responsible decision making, Iowa law prohibits public employees and their immediate family members from soliciting or accepting gifts from "restricted donors."  For more information, please review the Prohibition on Giving and Receiving Gifts section of the UI Policy Manual.

What this means for you:

• Do not accept gifts from restricted donors as defined in the UI Policy Manual.
• If you're unsure about a potential gift, consult your supervisor or HR.

Lobbying

The University of Iowa works closely with state and federal lawmakers to promote its academic and financial priorities. The Office of Governmental Relations coordinates these efforts and represents the university's official stance.

Faculty, staff, and students can contact elected officials to express their personal views. However, when doing so, you must clearly identity yourself as an individual, not a university representative, unless you've been officially asked to share your expertise. Only the Office of Governmental Relations is authorized to lobby or speak on behalf of the university. For more information, refer to the Policy Manual for Lobbying Restrictions Applicable to Public Employees and Officials.

What this means for you:

• You're able to share your personal opinions with lawmakers, but make it clear you're not speaking for the University of Iowa. Use personal email accounts and resources to avoid any confusion.
• If you're asked to represent the university's position with legislators, such as on policy matters within your expertise, the Office of Governmental Relations will coordinate the communication.
• If you're unsure, contact your senior HR leader before reaching out to elected officials about university-related issues.

Political Expression

The University of Iowa values free expression and recognizes the wide range of political and philosophical views within our community. As a public institution, we must avoid any appearance of supporting a particular political party or candidate. We balance our concern about institutional neutrality with our respect for individuals' rights to express political views without suggesting institutional support. We encourage departments and individuals to respect all perspectives and avoid displaying campaign materials that may imply institutional support of a particular political party or candidate.

What this means for you:

• You're free to express your political views on your own time, using your own resources.
• Avoid displaying campaign materials in public-facing areas and workspaces or engaging in political activities that could be attributed to the university.
• For guidance, refer to the Political Expression Guidelines.

Public Records and Open Record Laws

Under Iowa Code Chapter 22 and the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 5 U.S.C. 552, most records created or received by the university are public records. This includes emails, reports, notes, and even salary information, which can be requested by the public or media.

What this means for you:

• Assume your work-related communications and documents are publicly accessible.
• Use professional language and judgment in your written communications.
• If you have questions about specific records or requests, contact the Office of Transparency, the Office of the General Counsel, or your supervisor.

Purchasing and Procurement

The university is required to follow competitive bidding processes for certain purchases, as mandated by state and federal laws and the Iowa Board of Regents.

What this means for you:

• Before purchasing any materials or services, check with your department's purchasing expert or the Purchasing Department to make sure you're following all the necessary laws and policies.

Religious Guidelines

The University of Iowa is a community that values a variety of viewpoints and recognizes the varied religious and philosophical views of its members. As a public institution, we respect the separation of church and state and are committed to protecting the free expression of thought.

What this means for you:

• Avoid displaying religious symbols in public or shared spaces.
• You can express your personal religious beliefs in private spaces or through your personal attire, as long as it doesn't imply that the university endorses it.
• For more information, please visit the Religious Guidelines webpage and the Religion and the University Calendar section of the Policy Manual.