Sexual or romantic relationships between supervisors and subordinate employees.
Definitions
For purposes of this policy, a “faculty member” is someone who teaches, educates, supervises, or
evaluates students and includes but is not limited to regular, part time, adjunct, or visiting faculty. It
includes faculty who may not be teaching during a particular semester or academic year but who serve as
an academic administrator, as well as faculty who are on sabbatical or on some other form of leave. It also
includes individuals who are graduate assistants who teach, supervise or evaluate students in connection
with their academic endeavors.
For purposes of this policy, “staff and administrators” include University employees, administrators,
athletic coaches, contractors, volunteers, and others who coach, mentor, counsel, advise, employ,
supervise, manage, or evaluate students for or on behalf of the University. For purposes of this policy,
except for Resident Assistants, staff and administrators does not include undergraduate student
employees who are primarily students.
For purposes of this policy, “romantic” means showing, expressing, or relating to sexual interest, intimacy
or relations, irrespective of whether such conduct is welcome.
For purposes of this policy, an “undergraduate student” is someone who has not previously earned an
undergraduate degree. Students who are pursuing a second or later degree are considered graduate
students for purposes of this policy. Students with unclear registration status or a registration status other
than as a graduate or undergraduate student, and graduate students who are members of a University
athletics team based on NCAA eligibility rules, are considered undergraduates for purposes of this policy.
Prohibited Relationships with Undergraduate Students
No faculty member, staff, or administrator (except for graduate assistants, as provided below), may have
a sexual or romantic relationship with any undergraduate student at the University. No graduate assistant
may have a sexual or romantic relationship with any undergraduate student at the University who is
enrolled in a course in the department in which the graduate assistant is performing his or her duties.
No faculty member, administrator, or staff member may teach, instruct, evaluate, recommend (or serve
as a reference for), supervise, or manage an undergraduate student with whom they have previously had
a sexual or romantic relationship.
Prohibited Relationships with Graduate Students
No faculty member, administrator, or staff member may have a sexual or romantic relationship with a
graduate student in the department or program they instruct and/or supervise. Further, no faculty
member, administrator, or staff member may have a sexual or romantic relationship with a graduate
student over whom they have, or likely will have a future instructional, evaluative, supervisory, or
managerial relationship while the graduate student is matriculating at the University, including one who
may be called upon to formally or informally provide a recommendation (or serve as a reference) for
future employment or fellowship, research or other educational positions.
No faculty member, administrator, or staff member may teach, instruct, evaluate, recommend, supervise,
or manage a graduate student with whom they have or previously had a sexual or romantic relationship.
Prohibited Relationships Between Supervisors and Subordinate Employees
Individuals in supervisory or managerial roles and those with authority over other employees’ terms and
conditions of employment are prohibited from having a sexual or romantic relationship with any
subordinate employee that reports to them. Vice presidents, deans, directors, and others who manage
multiple departments are prohibited from having a sexual or romantic relationship with an employee who