Tufts Policy on
Consensual Relationships
I. PURPOSE AND POLICY
Tufts University seeks to maintain a professional
educational environment. Actions of faculty members and
academic administrators that are unprofessional or appear
to be unprofessional are inconsistent with the university's
educational mission. It is essential that those in a position
of authority not abuse, nor appear to abuse, the power with
which they are entrusted.
Faculty members and academic administrators
exercise power over students, whether by teaching, grading,
evaluating, or making recommendations for their further studies
or their future employment. Amorous, dating, or sexual relationships
between faculty members, academic administrators, and students
are impermissible when the faculty members and academic administrators
have professional responsibility for the student. Voluntary
consent by the student in such a relationship is suspect,
given the fundamental nature of the relationship. Moreover,
other students may be affected by such behavior, because it
places the faculty member and academic administrator in a
position to favor or advance one student's interest to the
potential detriment of others. Therefore, it is a violation
of university policy for a faculty member or academic administrator
to engage in an amorous, dating, or sexual relationship with
a student whom he/she instructs, evaluates, supervises, or
advises, or over whom he/she is in a position to exercise
authority in any way.
II. DEFINITION
As used in this policy, the terms faculty or faculty member
include all those who teach at the university and other
instructional personnel, including graduate students with
teaching responsibilities. Academic administrators include
all staff who are in a position to counsel, direct, or influence
the academic performance of students.
III. POLICY VIOLATION
A violation of this policy may result in disciplinary
action.
IV. REPORTING
If the person involved in a possible
policy violation is a faculty member, the issue should be
brought to the attention of the appropriate Dean of the College/School.
If the person involved is a staff member or administrator,
the issue should be brought to the attention of the Director
of OEO, The Vice President for Human Resources or the Vice
President for the College/School employing the staff member
or administrator.
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