Required and recommended course syllabi information may be found on our Course Syllabi Information webpage. Refer to your college/department for more specific information on your syllabus.

As costs of attending college continue to rise, the University of Iowa is trying to find new ways to help alleviate the cost for course content. The Office of Teaching, Learning & Technology; University Libraries; and the Hawk Shop bookstore are working on affordable content initiatives as outlined below.

ICON Direct 

Being prepared with course materials positively contributes to a student's academic success.  As a founding member of the Unizin Consortium, the University of Iowa aims to provide students with more affordable access to course content. The partnerships between Unizin and major academic publishers allow ICON Direct participants to save on both eTexts and online learning platforms such as Pearson's MyLab or McGraw Hill's Connect. All enrolled students are given access to these digital materials for their classes through ICON. More information.

OpenHawks: UI Libraries’ Open Educational Resources Grant Program

We are happy to announce OpenHawks, a campus-wide grant program that funds faculty efforts to replace their current textbooks with Open Educational Resources (OER) for enhanced student success. OER (such as textbooks, videos, assessment tools, lab books, research materials or interactive course modules) are free for students and carry legal permission for open use. 

How to apply?

Look for Call for Proposals in Spring of 2022.

Evaluation Rubrics: These are the criteria reviewers will use to make funding decisions.

Textbook Affordability Pilot (TAP)

With money allocated from UISG and the Libraries, the TAP project has purchased and collected donations of textbooks for courses with the highest undergraduate enrollments, as well as the highest costs of resources. These books will be placed on course reserves, both in Main Library and the branch libraries.

If you have a suggestion for a textbook to be purchased by TAP, contact the TAP Selection Committee at LIB-TAP@uiowa.edu.

Hawk Shop Bookstore Rentals

Save money by renting your books. The Hawk Shop carries over 1000 rentable titles.  We purchase from hundreds of vendors to get the most competitive prices.  At the end of the semester you just return your rented books to the Hawk Shop in the Iowa Memorial Union.  You can rent eligible books in the Hawk Shop at the Iowa Memorial Union or online.

The Center for Teaching encourages and advances teaching and learning excellence at Iowa. The center offers faculty, graduate student, and organizational development of effective, evidence-based teaching. 

Center for Teaching services are available to anyone who teaches at Iowa including faculty, lecturers, staff, and teaching assistants. Get started today:

• Schedule a one-on-one consultation with the Center for Teaching. Popular topics include developing a syllabus, brainstorming assignments, creating an inclusive learning community, and setting goals for and documenting your teaching. Consultations are free, voluntary, and confidential. 

• Build your support network. Register for the Center for Teaching’s interactive pedagogical workshops and join a faculty learning community.  

To find additional resources and upcoming events, please visit provost.uiowa.edu/teaching.

Contact the Center for Teaching at teaching@uiowa.edu.

The Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology (OTLT) provides integrated, comprehensive, expert partnership in teaching and learning through:

• Academic technology and course coordination (Instructional Services)
• Learning spaces design and support (Learning Spaces)
• Teaching and learning analytics and research (Research & Analytics)

As you prepare for the next semester, use this checklist to help you set your teaching semester up for success:

• Learn how to integrate learning technology into your course. Register for a technology training session or book an appointment with a Student Instructional Technology Assistant (SITA).
• Explore the university’s classroom technology. Find a Classroom Guide specific to your assigned classroom or request a demonstration of your classroom with our Learning Spaces Technology team.
• Learn more about your courses’ historical trends, structure, and students to make data-informed teaching decisions. Request a course profile from Research & Analytics.
• Discover how your students engage with digital course materials and tools (e.g., ICON, clickers, eTexts) to generate actionable insights. Contact Research & Analytics for a consultation.
• Inclusive teaching is a pedagogy or teaching philosophy that employs multiple perspectives, materials, and learning supports to engage students across difference.

Subscribe to our newsletter for information about teaching at Iowa.

Connect with the Office of Teaching, Learning, & Technology at teach.its.uiowa.edu.

In spring 2018, an Assessing the Classroom Environment (ACE) task force began an effort to revise the end-of-semester ACE survey.  The scope of the effort grew, and after reviewing initial objectives the committee agreed that the guiding principle should be promoting high quality instruction and its continual improvement. This principle, coupled with the desire to increase student input and minimize well-documented biases in student ratings, demanded that we expand the measures used to assess teaching.

For details about this effort--including the task force's recommendations, technical details, and next steps--see the ACE website.

Most departments have a limited number of TA appointments available. Graduate Teaching Assistantships serve two purposes: (a) assistance in the instructional program of the University and (b) the preparation of future college teachers. In order to achieve both aims, scholastically superior graduate students who show exceptional promise as teachers are selected for graduate teaching assistantships. All appointments are made by the dean of the appropriate college on recommendation of the department.

Note: Student teaching assistants at the University are included in an organized collective-bargaining unit recognized by the University and the State of Iowa. Faculty who utilize teaching assistants in their courses should become familiar with the requirements of the bargaining agreement. Information is available from department executive officers, from Employee and Labor Relations, 121-20 USB, 335-0052.

Do you teach a course that works with community partners? Apply for the new Community Engaged Course (CEC) designation and promote your course to students interested in community engagement. The Office of Community Engagement, in partnership with the Office of the Registrar and other campus units, is launching the first campus-wide designation for courses that work with community partners. Instructors can apply to have their course designated as a CEC via a short, simple online form that is reviewed by a campus committee of community engagement staff and faculty. Applications for Spring 2022 course designations are due September 3^rd. CEC-designated courses will be designated on MyUI and will also be listed on the Office of Community Engagement website: engagement.uiowa.edu.

Benefits of designating your course as a CEC include:

• Community engaged courses receive favorable reviews from students at Iowa. Recent survey data indicates that over 90% of students at Iowa who took a community engaged course would enroll in another community engaged course. The designation via MyUI will be the best way for students interested in engagement to proactively seek out your course.
• The campus committee reviewing the CEC designation, in partnership with the Office of Community Engagement, will offer assistance with syllabus development and modification, community partnerships, assessment and evaluation, and other items needed to successfully teach a community engaged course. Every application for a CEC designation will receive feedback from the committee.
• The CEC Designation is a good way to connect with other instructors teaching community engaged courses. The Office of Community Engagement plans to offer gatherings for CEC instructors who would like to learn more about community engaged teaching and consider opportunities for collaboration.

Apply for the CEC designation for your course.

For questions about the designation, e-mail Nick Benson, Executive Director of the Office of Community Engagement at nicholas-benson@uiowa.edu.

The University of Iowa Libraries is the largest library system in Iowa and 7th in materials expenditures among U.S. public research libraries (ARL FY17 data). The University’s Main Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, 5 branch libraries, and the Law Library contain more than 5 million volumes.

UI Libraries Information for Faculty

Distance and Online Education partners with faculty to design and deliver engaging, effective online instruction. Our knowledgeable staff provides consultation on all aspects of designing and teaching a fully online course: online course administration, instructional design, media development, technical support, and exam services.

We are ready to help you explore and implement new strategies, technologies, and best practices in online education. Start by browsing our curated do-it-yourself online professional development resources. Ready to develop your online course? Schedule a consultation or apply for the next Design4Online cohort.

• Learn more about Distance and Online Education
• DIY Professional Development - Explore online teaching and learning best practices.
• Teaching Online Preparation Course - Self-paced, self-enroll course includes helpful tips for new and experienced instructors.
• Design4Online Program - Comprehensive cohort-based program assists instructors in designing or redesigning online courses through the implementation of best practices and leading online pedagogy.
• Faculty teaching online courses can request DOE services:
  • Online Course Administration - As the main point of contact during online course delivery, the course administration team provides online instructors with targeted assistance and support.
  • Instructional Design and Course Redesign - Developing an online course is different from preparing to teach a face-to-face course. Our instructional designers collaborate with faculty to develop engaging, effective online courses.
  • Media Development - From high-end, production studio recordings to voiceover PowerPoint, the media team collaborates with instructors throughout the production process.
  • Exam Creation and Delivery - Our exam services team assists online instructors in the development and delivery of proctored online exams to facilitate an efficient and secure exam process for both instructors and students.

The purpose of the Guidelines Regarding Political Activity by Faculty of the University of Iowa is to ensure that UI faculty members know their rights and responsibilities under applicable policies as they engage in discourse about political matters.

Faculty Support & Guidance is designed to assist the campus community in responding to situations in which faculty members are targeted by individuals or groups outside of the university based on the content of the faculty member’s scholarship, teaching, clinical care, and/or service.

The Office of the Vice President for Research has as its goal the support and advancement of research, scholarship, and creative activity on our campus. Through a broad variety of activities and services, the Office of the Vice President for Research seeks to play an important role in the underpinning of these creative activities in the public and private sectors in our region.

Researcher Handbook: This electronic guide is designed to assist all researchers (new and existing) as they navigate the complex research environment at the University of Iowa, from getting started at the institution, through getting research subject approvals, applying for grants and contracts, and much more.

New Faculty Research Navigation Tool

The Division of Sponsored Programs offers a range of services for faculty, staff, and students seeking external funding for research, training, service, and other scholarly and creative endeavors that enrich The University of Iowa and its broad and far-reaching communities. Our knowledgeable and welcoming staff can advise and assist you with the following and much more:

• search for external funding sources to support your projects,
• develop proposals for specific funding opportunities,
• interpret sponsor guidelines,
• review and approve grant applications and detailed budgets,
• negotiate contract and grant terms and conditions,
• facilitate post-award project management,
• monitor and advise on issues of regulatory compliance, and
• provide current information on the funding landscape.

Grant Bulletin

Learn more about the Division of Sponsored Programs. Contact dsp@uiowa.edu.

The Human Subjects Office (HSO) is the administrative office for the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the UI Human Research Protection Program (HRPP). The HSO also houses the Conflict of Interest in Research Office, the Clinical Trials.gov Program and provides support for use of the single, central or external IRB model.  We offer many resources for faculty, staff and student researchers, but the most important ones for new UI faculty are outlined in the HSO/IRB Overview and Resources. We especially want to call your attention to the following

• Resources for Faculty/Staff
• Research Navigation Tool
• Human Subjects Protection Training Requirements (See #9 or #14)
• UI IRB Standard Operating Procedures and Researcher Guide

The UI IRB uses a homegrown eResearch application system called HawkIRB. Visit the Education and Training page of the HSO website for information about HawkIRB trainings, IRB office hours, and other resources. Additional information is available on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Our staff are available to assist you by phone (319-335-6564) or email (irb@uiowa.edu).

The Office of Undergraduate Research is the hub for undergraduate research at the University of Iowa. We promote undergraduate involvement in research and creative projects at the University of Iowa. We do this by facilitating mentorship in these works and providing platforms for students to explore research communication. We host several events during the year aimed at showcasing student research and undergraduate professional development.

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is proud to have several funding opportunities available for undergraduate researchers.

• Fellowships fund mentored undergraduate researchers for the summer and/or academic year via a scholarship.
• Travel awards support conference or professional development travel
• Research supply grants provide funding for students to purchase supplies for a project or to travel to access materials such as archives or museum collections

The Research Development Office (RDO) is a core unit within the Office of the Vice President for Research. The RDO team orchestrates campus-wide initiatives that spark collaboration such as Innovation Labs and Ideas Labs. We strategically oversee internal funding initiatives to ignite research and discovery on campus, in our local communities, and beyond. We help facilitate connections to resources enabling motivated researchers to identify funding opportunities, develop grantsmanship skills, and create connections that support successful research proposals.   

• Seeding Excellence Initiative (SEI): Seeding Excellence Initiative (SEI) aims to sustain the continued growth of the campus research enterprise by providing competitive seed funding in four strategic areas: 1) community engaged research and scholarship, 2) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), 3) early career scholars, and 4) interdisciplinary research.  SEI is made possible through funding to RDO from the public-private partnership (P3) Year 1 funding cycle.
• Write Winning Grant Proposals Phase I and II: Phase I comprehensively addresses both practical and conceptual aspects that are important to writing competitive grant proposals. Phase II consists of four to six months of ongoing virtual consultation regarding a specific grant application.
• NSF CAREER Club: The NSF CAREER Club is designed to give assistant professors (or equivalent) who are eligible to submit CAREER awards the knowledge and resources to craft competitive CAREER applications. Club participants will take part in events and services including editing, graphic design, and review services.
• The K Award Ecosystem - Writing a Competitive K Award: A competitive NIH Career Development K Award fits together like a complex ecosystem. This seminar will walk you through all the parts of the proposal, emphasizing the purpose of each part and how different sections must mesh.
• External Grant Review: RDO facilitates external reviews of proposals to external funding agencies. External review of proposals prior to submission will provide critical feedback to strengthen the proposal and improve the overall likelihood of success.
• Research Services Fair: Join us for afternoon vendor-style fair that provides an opportunity for researchers to learn about campus resources and services available for their research and scholarship.

Research Development Office Events and Deadlines

The University of Iowa Research Foundation (UIRF) is here to help amplify the impact of your research.

Research and scholarship from faculty and staff at the University often lead to the discovery of innovations that can improve the quality of life for people in the state, the nation, and worldwide.  UIRF works to obtain intellectual property protection—like patents and copyrights—on these innovations and partners with industry for the commercial development of new products and services.

• Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) - Oversees programs in: biological, chemical, lab, occupational, and radiation safety; and waste/environmental management.
• ITS Research Services - Assists with both high performance and parallel computing and data visualization.
• UI Research Park - Is located within the corporate limits of Coralville. 
• Obermann Center for Advanced Studies - Is dedicated to scholarship and provides a uniquely supportive environment where scholars working individually or in collaboration can reflect, write, and meet in easy interchange.
• Public Policy Center - An interdisciplinary research hub that supports and hosts University of Iowa faculty and student social scientific research. PPC has the physical space for collaborative work and meetings, and UI faculty and students are encouraged to reserve spaces for their research.
• University Research Council - Advises the Vice President for Research in the formulation, review, and application of policy guidelines for University research funding.
• University Libraries - The University of Iowa Libraries is the largest library system in Iowa and 7th in materials expenditures among U.S. public research libraries (ARL FY17 data). The University’s Main Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, 5 branch libraries, and the Law Library contain more than 5 million volumes.
• Writing Resources for Faculty - part of the Office of the Provost resource series.

Below are links to administrative units that may provide internal and/or external funding opportunities:

• Office of the Vice President for Research
• Graduate College
• International Programs

Funding requests should be routed through the departmental executive first, then the collegiate dean who will forward them to the appropriate administrative office.

Most departments have a limited number of RA appointments available. Faculty research assistantships are awarded to qualified graduate students and serve two purposes: (a) to provide research service to professorial members of the academic staff and (b) to provide apprenticeship experience for graduate students who are in training in research. Not more than twenty hours of service per week are required of a half-time assistant. Other part-time service is scaled in proportion, and a limited academic schedule is permitted.

Note: Most student research assistants at the University are included in an organized collective-bargaining unit recognized by the University and the State of Iowa. Faculty who utilize research assistants should become familiar with the requirements of the bargaining agreement. Information is available from department executive officers, from Employee and Labor Relations, 121-20 USB, 335-0052.

Created in 1909, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, governs the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa Braille and Sight-Saving School, and the Iowa School for the Deaf. The nine Regents (one of whom must be a full-time student enrolled at one of the three state universities) are appointed for staggered six-year terms by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate. The Board maintains a listing current members and staff contacts at their website.

The president, appointed by the Board of Regents, is the principal officer of the university, with additional administrative responsibility assigned to the executive vice president and provost, the vice president for finance and operations, the vice president for research and economic development, and the vice president for student life.

The university’s organization places major administrative responsibility at the collegiate level through the collegiate deans. The university is comprised of eleven colleges that offer undergraduate and graduate education, professional education, and education and training in the health sciences.

The University of Iowa continues to honor a long tradition of shared governance in which university-wide policies and initiatives are made in collaboration with the campus’s many leaders and shared governance representatives.

Charter and non-charter committees are established in an effort to assure that University-wide services and activities will be carried out in the best interests of education and society. The membership of University charter committees is generally composed of faculty, staff members, and students in varying proportions according to the committee's primary interest.

The Emeritus Faculty Council is the executive committee of the Association of Emeritus Faculty of the University of Iowa, and serves as an advisory body to the university administration.

There is an extensive list of faculty organizations oriented to professional service. Many groups are organized around advocacy issues, including those listed on DEI Across Campus.

Faculty Promotion and Tenure Procedures

Professional Rights and Responsibilities

• Professional Ethics and Academic Responsibility
• Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Academic and Administrative Officers Under the UI Policy on Sexual Harassment (pdf)
• Confidential and Non-confidential Resources Cards (pdf)
• Working at a Public University

Classroom Policies

Research Ethics and Compliance Policies

Guidelines Regarding Political Activity by Faculty at the University of Iowa (PDF)

Learn more about Faculty-Related, Administrative, and Student/Instruction-Related Policies

• Getting Off to a Good Start is a guide to resources and advice to help you as you begin your career at the University of Iowa.
• Faculty Support & Guidance is designed to assist the campus community in responding to situations in which faculty members are targeted by individuals or groups outside of the university based on the content of the faculty member’s scholarship, teaching, clinical care, and/or service.
• The purpose of the Guidelines Regarding Political Activity by Faculty of the University of Iowa is to ensure that UI faculty members know their rights and responsibilities under applicable policies as they engage in discourse about political matters.
• Faculty Writing Groups and General Writing Resources (PDF) provide a list of articles, sites, and technology. The University of Iowa Writing Center is a valuable writing resource.

Iowa Welcome

University Benefits provides information and education on benefits to all UI employees and departments. We are committed to supporting talent, engagement, and the employee work experience, as well as administrating a competitive, comprehensive benefits package to suit you and your family's needs. 

New UI Employees

Benefit Overview Materials

Benefits Enrollment Guide

University of Iowa/TIAA

Adam Reutzel, a local financial consultant with TIAA, available to answer questions, assist with enrolling and investment selections via virtual one-on-one meetings or by phone. Feel free to contact directly by either phone, 319-356-8026 or email, adam.reutzel@tiaa.org.

To see a calendar list of available meeting times, please visit - www.tiaa.org/schedulenow.

How to enroll with TIAA (pdf)

The University of Iowa is committed to providing accessible course content to all students, including students with disabilities and users of assistive technologies. Per University policy, each faculty or instructional staff member is responsible for the accessibility of their course content.

The University of Iowa IT Accessibility Group (UI ITAG), located in the ITS Information Security and Policy Office, works with campus partners including Student Disability Services, the Office of Teaching, Learning & Technology, and the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to maintain resources, tutorials, and reference materials to help faculty and instructional staff develop and deliver accessible, inclusive digital course content.

UI ITAG also offers custom consultation, training, assessment, and referrals throughout the academic year for faculty and instructional staff seeking to learn more about Accessibility@Iowa. Accessibility consultation and services are available at no cost to University faculty and instructional staff.

To learn more or to schedule a consultation, please visit https://itaccessibility.uiowa.edu/faculty or email ITAccessibility@uiowa.edu.

University of Iowa faculty and staff employed 50% time or more in a permanent position, as defined by the UI Human Resources Department, are eligible for a parking assignment to a Faculty/Staff parking facility. Parking assignments may be available in Faculty/Staff parking facilities to employees who work less than 50% time on a space-available basis. Discounted passes are available for unlimited rides on Iowa City Transit or Coralville Transit. To purchase permits, visit Parking Portal.

New Employee Resource for Parking and Transportation

If you have questions regarding parking, please visit Parking and Transportation, email parking-office@uiowa.edu, or call 319-335-1475.

The Office of the Provost offers interactive sessions designed for different stages in the faculty lifecycle. Learn about and register for new faculty orientation, workshops, and resources designed to support faculty members throughout their careers.

The Faculty Development Plan (FDP) facilitates the planning, support, and feedback that faculty require to support career progression, regardless of rank or track. It requires introspection and input from the faculty member to help them take charge of their career development. This tool may be a useful adjunct to the annual review, and serve as a focus for that conversation.

Supported by a partnership between the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the University of Iowa is an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD). The NCFDD is an independent faculty development center dedicated to supporting academics in making successful transitions throughout their careers.

Access your membership

Professional Development Awards are the heart of the university's faculty development awards program. This is a competitive program designed to encourage scientific inquiry, research, artistic creation, clinical/technical expertise, and innovation in teaching. 

Named in honor of distinguished UI faculty, the May Brodbeck Humanities Fellowship and the James Van Allen Natural Science Fellowship provide an opportunity for other scholars to contribute to the fields of study in which these distinguished faculty are most clearly recognized.

Old Gold Summer Fellowships are limited to faculty on nine-month appointments, provide funding through the colleges for summer work on an approved developmental project.

The University of Iowa is proud to recognize the achievements of our exceptional faculty. Many national and international organizations recognize exemplary faculty accomplishments.  The Office of the Provost is pleased to review these awards with faculty members, and assist with the application process where possible.

The Office of the Provost and university offer numerous leadership development opportunities, including the Iowa Academic Leadership Academy (IALA) for new and aspiring academic leaders, coaching/mentoring; DEO workshops; campus leadership conversations; and BTAA programs. 

Leadership at Iowa: Iowa can help you reach your goals and realize your potential, whether you are new to leadership, building on years of experience, or wanting to learn a few new skills.

Inclusive Education and Strategic Initiative facilitators offer voluntary, in-person, and virtual, application-based sessions for University of Iowa faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students.

We strive to connect, empower, and transform all who engage with our office through professional development opportunities consisting of group workshops, self-guided learning options, and open-access resources. Join a previously curated session or request your own.