Consensual Relationship

Know about Consensual Relationships

POLICY STATEMENT

Spelman College encourages the development of collegial and professional relationships among all members of the College community and is committed to a learning and work environment of civility and mutual respect. Romantic and/or sexual attention, interaction, or relationships between certain categories of individuals undermine the fundamental educational purpose of the College and disrupt the workplace and academic environment.

The faculty-student relationship is one of trust in the College and the faculty member has the professional responsibility for being a mentor, educator, and evaluator. Faculty-student and staff-student romantic and/or sexual attention, interaction, or relationships, even consensual ones interfere with a student’s pursuit of learning and the integrity of the College environment and are therefore prohibited. The College also prohibits all employees from engaging in a romantic or sexual relationship or in any romantic or sexual conduct with any individual whom he or she supervises, teaches, advises, evaluates, counsels, or coaches.

APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all administrators, faculty, and staff of Spelman College. Nothing in this policy replaces the policies on prohibited discrimination, unlawful discrimination, and retaliation, or other policies that may be triggered by conduct or relationships covered by this policy.

All employees should understand having a consensual relationship with students and/or with individuals whom they have supervisory responsibilities is a violation of this policy and may lead to disciplinary action by the College, up to and including dismissal and/or potential legal action by complainants. 

DEFINITIONS

Consensual Relationship-interaction with students for a romantic and/or sexual relationship, including but not limited to, dating, pursuing dates, and relationships of a sexual nature in which both parties have given their consent.

Employee-as used in this policy, the term employee includes all who are employed by the College, including but not limited to, all categories of administrators, faculty, and staff. This policy also covers individuals who are under contract such as independent contractors, consultants or temporaries with the College.

Student-refers to anyone currently registered for courses at the College (including those students who are cross-registered from other institutions), or completing a special project, lab(s) or senior project(s).

POLICY

Among employees and students:
If a teaching, mentoring, or supervisory relationship exists between individuals with a current or prior consensual relationship, the relationship must be disclosed to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Student Affairs, or the Director of Human Resources and arrangements will be made to prevent and avoid potential conflicts of interest, favoritism, coercion, abuse, and breaches of professional standards. If appropriate, sanctions may be imposed.

Among employees:
The College prohibits employees from supervising, evaluating, or determining the terms and/or conditions of employment of anyone with whom they have or had a sexual relationship. When a current or past sexual relationship exists between any employees in a supervisory relationship, immediate steps must be taken to terminate the supervisory arrangement, and alternative means of supervision will be implemented. The supervisor must disclose this relationship to the Director of Human Resources. Either party may request alternative means of supervision.

PROCEDURES
Any member of the Spelman community who becomes aware of any conduct prohibited by this policy should report the conduct to the Director of Human Resources or his or her designee (if the involved individual is a staff member), the Provost or his or her designee (if the involved individual is a faculty member, graduate assistant, or other student) or the Vice President of Student Affairs or his or her designee. The responsible office, working with other senior administrators, will investigate the report and determine the appropriate response.

Members of the community who violate this policy (meaning, in each case, the individual with greater authority who engages in a relationship or conduct prohibited above with a student or employee with less authority) will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.