There are inherent risks in any romantic or sexual relationship between individuals in unequal positions (such as faculty and student, supervisor and subordinate, or GA and student).
These relationships may be less consensual than perceived by the individual whose position confers power. The relationship also may be viewed in different ways by each of the parties, particularly in retrospect. Furthermore, circumstances may change, and conduct that was previously welcome may become unwelcome. Even when both parties have consented at the outset to a romantic or sexual involvement, this past consent may not remove grounds for a later complaint.
The university does not wish to interfere with private choices regarding personal relationships when these relationships do not interfere with the goals and policies of the university. For the personal protection of members of this community, relationships in which power differentials are inherent (faculty or staff/student, supervisor/supervisee) are generally discouraged.
Faculty or staff may be full-time, part-time, or contracted and may include RAs and GAs, regardless of whether they are compensated by the university, outside funding, or contracted through a third party.
