The article concerns challenges which are the consequences of the dynamic changes within the Polish universities faced by academics. The authors analyze sources of those difficulties that lecturers often have to deal with, as well as discuss the student—lecturer relationship along with various problems (e.g. of ethical nature) that both sides may face. The authors point to ways how to prevent some negative phenomena, as well as to actions aiming to support lecturers’ and students’ ethical awareness in the processes of teaching and learning.