Establishing a center for intellectual freedom at the university of Iowa

Sponsored by the House Higher Education (companion To Sf 127 By Gruenhagen) Committee

Topics:Civil rights Higher education

Same legislation: HSB 52, SF 127, SF 519

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 22, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 22, 2025
Done: House committeeFebruary 12, 2025
Done: Passes the HouseMarch 18, 202560–37
Done: Senate committeeApril 3, 2025
Done: Passes the SenateApril 15, 202532–15
Done: To the GovernorMay 19, 2025
Done: Signed into lawJune 11, 2025

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Iowa would create a new school of intellectual freedom at the University of Iowa to study the ideas and texts that shaped American society. This school will offer various degrees and programs focused on free speech, civil discourse, and historical traditions. It will operate as its own independent unit and must hire at least five faculty members to teach its courses.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill establishes a school of intellectual freedom (school) as an independent academic unit within the university of Iowa (university). The school shall be physically located in the college of liberal arts and sciences. The school shall conduct teaching and research in the historical ideas, traditions, and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society. The bill authorizes the state board of regents (board) to name the school in accordance with any philanthropic naming policies or practices of the board or university. The bill provides functions of the school, including instruction on specified subjects, offering university-wide programming related to the values of free speech and civil discourse, and working to expand the intellectual diversity of the university’s academic community and foster civic engagement among university students and faculty. The bill authorizes the school to offer courses; develop certificate, minor, and major programs as well as graduate programs; and offer degrees. The bill requires the school to establish bylaws and specifies certain subjects that must be included in the bylaws. The bill authorizes the school to accept and administer private and external donations and gifts. The bill provides that any moneys appropriated to the school, and any private and external donations to the school, shall be used only for the direct operation of the school and shall not be used for any indirect costs of the university. The bill requires the university to employ at least five tenure-eligible faculty members to provide instruction through the school. Faculty members appointed to the school may hold joint appointments to other academic units. The bill provides that faculty members who are not appointed to the school shall have no authority to approve, deny, or modify the terms of appointment of faculty to the school. The bill requires the board to establish an academic council no later than December 31, 2025, for the purpose of assisting in the selection of a dean of the school. The bill provides for membership and procedures of the council. The bill provides that the board shall select and appoint the dean from a list of finalists submitted by the council. The bill provides duties of the dean, including recruitment, hiring, and termination of employment of school faculty and staff; overseeing, developing, and approving the curriculum, courses, and programs of the school; and inviting guest speakers to the university on behalf of the school. The bill requires the dean to consult with the dean of the college of liberal arts and sciences when carrying out the dean’s duties. The bill provides that the dean shall report directly to the president of the university or a designee of the president. The bill provides that the dean shall be eligible for tenure. The bill requires the dean to submit an annual report to the governor, the general assembly, and the board of regents regarding the school.

Changed since by amendments S-3101, H-1075; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed²

House subcommittee

Named January 22, 2025 (as HSB 52). On January 28, 2025 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

2 written public comments to its subcommittee: February 6, 2025 (1), January 28, 2025 (1) · on the Legislature’s site

Fiscal note

AI summary This bill establishes a Center of Intellectual Freedom as an independent academic center at the University of Iowa. The center is estimated to have a minimum annual cost of approximately $1.5 million per year for the state. Additional one-time start-up costs for establishing the center and hiring faculty cannot be determined at this time.³

Read the fiscal note

Description

House File 437 establishes a Center of Intellectual Freedom as an independent academic center under the Board of Regents (BOR) at the University of Iowa. The Bill authorizes the Center to offer courses; develop certificate, minor, and major programs, as well as graduate programs; and offer degrees. The Bill also outlines the governance, faculty hiring requirements, funding restrictions, and reporting obligations for the Center.

The Bill requires the BOR to establish an advisory council no later than December 31, 2025, to assist in the selection of a Director for the Center. The Director will be responsible for faculty hiring, curriculum development, and oversight of the Center’s operations in consultation with the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Bill requires that up to five tenure-eligible faculty members be employed to provide instruction. The Center may accept private and external donations, although all funds, including State appropriations, must be used solely for direct operational costs. Additionally, the Director must submit an annual report by December 31 to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the BOR.

Assumptions

The Center will require the hiring of a Director at an estimated annual salary and benefits cost of $400,000.
Up to five tenure-eligible faculty members may be required to support the Center’s academic programming, based on market research and student demand, at an estimated annual salary and benefits cost of $175,000 per faculty member, totaling $875,000.
The Center will require at least two administrative staff members at an estimated annual salary and benefits cost of $87,000 each, totaling $174,000.
A minimum of $50,000 per year will be needed for programming expenses related to the undergraduate and graduate programs.
Additional one-time start-up costs for establishing the Center, hiring faculty, and setting up administrative structures cannot be determined at this time and are not included in this estimate.