The College Fix

Regents say the change would add greater oversight to public universities

Professors at Iowa public universities soon could be required to publish their class syllabi and required reading materials online under a proposed policy.

The Iowa Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s three public universities, considered the “Syllabi Posting” policy during its meeting last week, The Gazette first reported.

The goal is to promote “transparency and informed decision-making among students and the public,” according to the policy proposal.

It would require universities to publish undergraduate course titles and descriptions, “a general outline of the topics to be covered” in the class, a list of required reading materials, a description of the types of projects and tests required, and the syllabus.

Some courses are exempt, including internships, independent study projects, and honors/senior thesis.

If passed, the policy would go into effect in the fall of 2026.

The proposal is similar to a bill in the state House, according to The Gazette:

The policy aligns with House Bill 270 introduced this session directing the public universities to post online a syllabus “for each undergraduate course offered for credit by the institution.”

The syllabus, per the bill, must include the name of the instructor; a description of each major course requirement; and required or recommended reading material. The information must be made available no later than a week after the start of classes; must be accessible without a username or password; must be updated if information changes; and must stay online for at least a year after a course is held. …

Although the bill hasn’t yet passed the Legislature, the new regent policy takes much of the actions it would require — even going further.

The move comes as universities face intense scrutiny from Republican lawmakers over their ideologically progressive leanings, including diversity, equity, and inclusion programming.

For example, the University of Minnesota offers a three-credit course called “Intersectional and Decolonizing Approaches to Transgender Health,” and another about “transgender saints.” And Amherst College is advertising a class this fall about the “history of race” and “gender” through comic books.

However, Iowa would not be the first to require higher education institutions to publish class materials online.

Florida passed a similar law in 2022 as part of a larger higher education reform package, The College Fix previously reported. The legislation requires public universities to publish course information online, including class syllabi and objectives.

MORE: Back to 2: Iowa universities ditch multiple ‘gender’ options on applications

IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: A college class syllabus is displayed. Rinku Dua/Shutterstock

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