6.1.2 Staff – Student Relations

Students look to college employees to provide guidance. Recognizing the inherent imbalance of power in the employee-student relationship, the College discourages all romantic relations between staff employees and students. It is forbidden for staff employees to engage in such a relationship with a student who is currently under the employee’s supervision or where the staff employee has direct control or influence over the student’s life at Rochester University. It a staff employee does enter into a romantic relationship with a student, the employee must terminate any and all relationships of supervision and influence over the student. Furthermore, the employee should disclose the relationship to their supervisor, who will in turn disclose to the appropriate Vice President. Violations of this policy will be considered grounds for disciplinary action, including possible dismissal.

Breaches of Standards of Conduct (partial list)

• Falsifying an employment application, time sheet, personnel record or other college documents
• Sexual misconduct, including conduct such as sexual harassment, sexual assault or abuse, dating or carrying on a relationship while either the employee or the other party is married to a third person, sexual conduct outside of marriage which includes unmarried couples living together, and homosexual behavior or activity
• Illegal gambling, carrying weapons or explosives or violating criminal laws on College premises
• Fighting, horseplay, practical jokes or disorderly conduct which may endanger the well-being of others or College operations
• Engaging in acts of dishonesty, fraud, theft or sabotage
• Threatening, intimidating, coercing, using abusive or vulgar language or interfering with the performance of others
• Insubordination or refusal to comply with instructions or failure to perform reasonable duties which are assigned
• Unauthorized use of college material, time, equipment or property
• Damaging or destroying college property through careless or willful acts
• Conduct which the college determines reflects adversely on the employee or college
• The use of tobacco or alcoholic beverages with or in the presence of students is always considered inappropriate, regardless of the situation

This list is not representative of all activities which may result in corrective action. It is not intended to be comprehensive and does not alter the employment at will relationship between employees and the college.