HR402 - Consensual Relationships

Policy

Section: Human Resources

Consensual relationships between an employee and student, or between employees that may create the appearance of impropriety are considered contrary to the interest of the College and the public interest which it serves. That conduct includes behavior that may be perceived as a conflict of interest, coercion, favoritism, or bias in an academic, counseling, evaluative, or supervisory situation. Personal nonprofessional relations between employees or between employees and students with whom they also have a counseling, academic, evaluative, or supervisory role create the appearance of impropriety even when the relationship is genuinely consensual.

Therefore, employees are advised against participating in consensual relationships with students enrolled in their classes or with students or employees whom they otherwise evaluate, grade, counsel, or supervise. Similarly, employees may not evaluate, grade, counsel, or supervise students or employees with whom they currently have a consensual relationship. Whenever such a situation arises, employees are required to report the situation immediately to the appropriate supervisor. The supervisor shall take effective steps to ensure unbiased supervision or evaluation by another employee.

The respect and trust accorded an employee by a student, as well as the power exercised by the employee in an academic, counseling, evaluative or supervisory role, make the relationship susceptible to exploitation and may compromise the integrity of the institution.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code Section 260C.14(5)

Cross Reference:
Procedure HR3006 - Consensual Relationships

Adopted: June 12, 1995
Reviewed: 2005, 2011, 2020

Revised:
January 10, 2000

August 8, 2005

October 10, 2011

September 14, 2020