Consensual Relationships Policy

Prohibited Relationships by Persons in Authority

Sexual or other intimate relationships in which one party maintains a direct supervisory or evaluative role over the other party are prohibited. In general, this includes all sexual or other intimate relationships between students and their employers, supervisors, professors, coaches, advisors or other College employees where a direct supervisory or evaluative role is maintained. College employees (faculty, staff, and students) who supervise or otherwise hold positions of authority over others are prohibited from having a sexual or other intimate relationship with an individual under their direct supervision.

The College does not wish to interfere with private choices regarding personal relationships when these relationships do not interfere with the goals and policies of the College. However, faculty, administrators, and others who educate, supervise, evaluate, employ, counsel, coach, or otherwise guide students should understand the fundamentally asymmetrical nature of the relationship they have with students or subordinates. Intimate or sexual relationships where there is differential in power or authority produce risks for every member of our community and undermine the professionalism of faculty and supervisors. In either context, the unequal position of the parties presents an inherent element of risk and may raise sexual harassment concerns if one person in the relationship has the actual or apparent authority to supervise, evaluate, counsel, coach or otherwise make decisions or recommendations as to the other person in connection with their employment or education at the college.

Sexual relations between persons occupying asymmetrical positions of power, even when both consent, raise suspicions that the person in authority has violated standards of professional conduct and potentially subject the person in authority to charges of sexual harassment. Similarly, these relationships may impact third parties based on perceived or actual favoritism or special treatment based on the relationship.

Therefore, persons with direct supervisory or evaluative responsibilities who contemplate beginning or are involved in such relationships are required to promptly: 1) discontinue any supervising role or relationship over the other person; and 2) report the circumstances to their own supervisor. When effective arrangements to remove the conflict and mitigate adverse effects cannot be made, the relationship is prohibited.

Failure to fully or timely comply with these requirements is a violation of this policy, and the person in authority could be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from employment by the College.

Nothing in this section is intended to permit conduct that would otherwise be prohibited or contrary to rules of conduct or ethics promulgated by professional organizations, such as rules applicable to lawyers or counselors.

Any individual may file a complaint alleging harassment or discrimination, including an aggrieved party outside the relationship affected by the perceived harassment or discrimination. Retaliation against persons who report concerns about consensual relationships is prohibited and constitutes a violation of this policy.

Potential violations of the Prohibited Consensual Relationship Policy will be resolved through Process 3: Investigation & Decision-making Procedures for All Prohibited Conduct Except Sex-Based Harassment Involving a Student Party under the Interim Sex Discrimination, Harassment, and Misconduct Policy Under Title IX.