4.4.10.4 : Relationships Between Instructor and Students

The University has determined that there is an inherent conflict of interest when an instructor and a student simultaneously maintain both a direct student-faculty relationship and a romantic relationship and, therefore, prohibits simultaneous participation in both roles. Thus, if one party to a consensual relationship is a student of the other person in a course for which the student will receive a grade, the student should immediately withdraw from the course and should never again take a course with that instructor. In such a case, it is the duty of the instructor to take all steps to assure that the student's enrollment in the course is promptly terminated. If the student is not currently enrolled in any of the instructor’s courses when the relationship begins, the student should refrain from taking any future course with the instructor. If the student has that instructor as his or her advisor, the instructor must take steps to find a new advisor for the student. Whenever possible the instructor should seek to avoid teaching, advising, or doing research with the student even if the relationship has ended. In all cases where an instructor member and a student become romantically involved, the instructor must inform the school dean immediately.