Policy Prohibiting Close Personal Relationships in Teaching, Mentoring, and Supervisory Activities
Who This Policy Applies To
All employees
Policy Statement
The college is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment that is free from unlawful harassment and discrimination, and also from the potentially adverse effects that can arise from close personal relationships in the course of teaching, mentoring and supervisory activities, including those involving students.
The following Policy is intended to prevent situations from arising in which violations of the Equal Employment Policy can occur and in which perceptions of such violations can arise.
Such relationships at the college may interfere with the ability of the teacher, mentor and supervisor to act fairly and without favoritism or may contribute to the perception of favoritism. Except where explicit approval has been obtained in writing from the Vice President Human Resources, no person who provides teaching, mentoring or supervisory functions at the college may participate in a close personal relationship with an individual who is a member of the college community for whom that person provides, or may (by virtue of college-permitted or-assigned position or functions) reasonably be expected in the future to provide teaching, mentoring or supervision.
Definitions
Supervision
Includes grading or other academic evaluation, tutoring for pay, job evaluation, hiring decisions and those pertaining to promotion, the direct setting of salary or wages, and the determination of internship, educational, or employment opportunities, references or recommendations. A “supervisor” is anyone who oversees, directs or evaluates the work of others, including, but not limited to managers, administrators, coaches, directors, deans, chairs and advisors.
Close personal relationships
Include marriage, domestic partner, dating, sexual and similar close personal relationships, even if they are consensually undertaken. “Close personal relationships” do not include the usual and customary socializing at the College of teacher-student; mentor-mentee; supervisor-employee; faculty member-graduate student; co-workers; and supervisor-student employee.