Consensual Relationships

The preservation of an atmosphere of trust, academic freedom, and respect for all members of Converse University is an essential expectation for the welfare of faculty, staff, and students. Accordingly, Converse faculty, administrators, and staff members may not engage in romantic or sexual relations with students. In like manner, employees may not engage in romantic or sexual relations with employees whom they supervise. When romantic or sexual relationships exist between students, faculty, supervisors, or employees, the opportunity for harassment or misconduct and the appearance of impropriety makes such relationships unwise, unethical, and inappropriate. In those cases where there are inappropriate relationships, as described above, the University will hold employees responsible for all actions related to sexual harassment or misconduct that may result.

All faculty and staff at Converse should understand that romantic or sexual relations with students or employees in violation of this policy may lead to disciplinary action by the University, up to and including termination.