The University of Iowa is a proud community of teacher-scholars. Each faculty member is expected to realize his or her maximum potential as an effective scholar and teacher. The policies in the University's Operations Manual state the professional obligations and responsibilities of the faculty. See especially part III, chapter 15, Professional Ethics and Academic Responsibility.

Faculty and TAs are expected to be meeting their instructional responsibilities and available to students from the third working day before classes begin in the fall semester until the end of examination week in the spring semester (or until course grades have been submitted, whichever is later).

Every member of the College's faculty is responsible for

• meeting assigned classes, holding regular office hours, and being available for students and for departmental responsibilities during the entire academic year (and, if granted formal permission for absence, making provision for course coverage, TA supervision, and advising during the absence);
• conducting class according to a syllabus, creating a milieu in which free inquiry is possible, evaluating student work impartially, and administering final examinations at the scheduled times;
• establishing and maintaining an active program of research or creative work, achieving national and/or international recognition for that program, participating in the professional work of the academic discipline to which s/he belongs, and respecting the intellectual property rights of others;
• providing service to the department, the College, and the University for the achievement of their missions and participating in faculty governance.

Longstanding University and Collegiate policies specify that “the faculty member has a responsibility to participate in the day-to-day operations of the University” (Operations Manual, III-15.5), including being available for students and for departmental responsibilities during the entire academic year. These responsibilities imply that the faculty member must reside at a proximity to campus that makes it practical for them to be available on a daily basis for teaching, advising, collaboration, service, attendance at faculty meetings, and participation in the life of the department, College, and University.

Academic tenure does not protect faculty members from being reassigned to other tasks or having their appointments terminated if they do not fully meet their obligations to the department, the College, and the University.