Carnegie Mellon University

Consensual Intimate Relationship Policy Regarding Undergraduate Students

POLICY TITLE: Consensual Intimate Relationship Policy Regarding Undergraduate Students
DATE OF ISSUANCE: This policy was originally approved on December 11, 2018. This policy focuses on consensual intimate relationships between undergraduate students and other members of the Carnegie Mellon community who hold positions of authority over them. The University is presently considering the adoption of policy statements regarding consensual intimate relationships between graduate students and other members of the CMU community who hold positions of authority over them, and consensual intimate relationships between CMU employees where there is a position of authority.
ACCOUNTABLE DEPARTMENTS/UNITS: Because of the various constituents whose behavior is addressed in this policy (faculty, staff and students), the policy is owned jointly by the Office of the Provost, Office of the Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resource Officer, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. Questions may be directed to the following individuals: Vice Provost for Faculty, Office of the Provost at 412-268-1171; Senior Director, People & Organizational Effectiveness, Human Resources Division at 412-268-9685; and Associate Vice President for Community Standards and Diversity Initiatives, Student Affairs Division at 412-268-2075.
ABSTRACT: This policy addresses the circumstances in which romantic, sexual or amorous relationships/interactions with undergraduate students, even if consensual, are inappropriate and prohibited.
RELATED:

Statement of Principles

To advance its educational mission, Carnegie Mellon University is committed to creating and maintaining a learning and work environment that fosters creativity, growth, emotional and physical wellbeing and the pursuit of scientific, academic and artistic excellence. The willingness and ability of individuals in this community to form close, professional relationships is critical to the success of this commitment. Fundamental to the integrity of these professional relationships and to the University’s larger mission is the trust that those who exercise authority or wield influence do so fairly, without question of intent, bias, conflict of interest, or the appearance of favoritism or advantage. Romantic, sexual or amorous relationships/interactions (“intimate relations” or “intimate relationship”) between a person in a position of authority or influence and a person over whom they have or will likely have authority or influence, compromise the integrity of these professional relationships and endanger the University’s mission.

Such intimate relations can create the conditions for unfair treatment, in the form of favoritism, bias, or unfair advantage as well as the conditions for the manipulation and abuse of influence or authority that is granted for the purpose of advancing the University’s educational mission. They also encourage the reasonable perception of placing others who do not engage in similar intimate relations at a disadvantage or the reasonable perception that the University condones the unfair and potentially exploitative exercise of professional authority and institutional influence. Together, these conditions and perceptions undermine the University’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of fairness, equity and professional ethics.

The validity of consent depends on, among other things, it being voluntary (free from manipulation, coercion, or undue influence). Intimate relationships of unequal power, authority or influence can undermine the validity of consent. Moreover, even when consent is freely given at the outset, consent can be withdrawn at any time. Because ending intimate relations between individuals involved in professional relationships can involve actual or perceived consequences in the workplace, educational environment or the professional realm, the threat of such consequences can lead to the perception that at some point the intimate relationship was no longer consensual. Such intimate relations pose risks to the parties to the relationship, other members of the community, the educational program, and the University, including but not limited to claims of sexual harassment (including hostile environment claims and quid pro quo claims), sexual assault, related civil or criminal claims, and reputational risk to all involved.1

The purpose of this policy is to assure healthy professional relationships. This policy is not intended to discourage consensual intimate relationships unless there is a conflicting professional relationship in which one party has authority over the other as described below.

Definitions

For purposes of this Policy, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below.

“Undergraduate Student” includes anyone who is enrolled in an undergraduate program or as a visiting/non-degree student in undergraduate courses.

“Graduate Student” includes anyone who is enrolled in a graduate program, including Masters and Doctoral programs, or as a visiting/non-degree student in graduate courses.

“Senior Administrators” refers to all individuals in top management positions in the university and colleges/schools, including the President, Vice Presidents, Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents, Provost, Associate and Vice Provosts, Associate and Assistant Vice Provosts, Deans, Senior Associate, Associate, and Assistant Deans, Department or Unit Heads, Associate and Assistant Heads, Program Heads, and Graduate Program Coordinators.

“Faculty” includes all individuals who hold appointments on the tenure-track, research-track, teaching-track, librarian/archivist-track and special faculty track of the University (excluding Post Doctoral Fellows and Post Docs who hold appointments on the special faculty track).

“Post-Doctoral Fellow” or “Post Doc” includes individuals who hold a doctoral degree who are engaged in mentored research or scholarly training for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue a particular career path. For purposes of this policy, the term “Post Doc” includes anyone who holds that title, irrespective of whether s/he has the employment status of staff or special faculty.

“Academic Instructional Staff” includes any staff member who is teaching courses or advising in a laboratory setting at Carnegie Mellon.

“Staff” includes all employees of the University who do not hold faculty appointments. Staff does not include individuals whose primary relationship with the University is as a student.

“Intimate Relations” includes all romantic, sexual or amorous relationships/interactions.

Policy regarding Consensual Relationships with Undergraduates

The integrity of the academic and professional relationship between undergraduate students and those in positions of authority over them in the University community (as defined below) is of critical importance to the University’s mission. These community members are entrusted with authority to facilitate the intellectual, professional and personal growth of undergraduates.

Intimate relations (even if consensual) between undergraduates and those in a position of authority over them compromise the integrity of their academic and professional relationship.

Policy Overview

(A) Consensual intimate relationships between undergraduate students and senior administrators, faculty, and academic instructional staff of the University are prohibited, as are actions intended to solicit such relationships.

(B) Consensual intimate relationships between undergraduate students and staff or post docs are prohibited (as are actions intended to solicit such relationships) when the staff member or post doc is in a position of authority over the undergraduate student.

(C) Where one student is in a position of authority over another: (a) neither student should solicit or initiate an intimate relationship with the other; and (b) any consensual intimate relationships must be disclosed and mitigated.

Except as noted in the exceptions below, it is the policy of the University that:

(A) Senior Administrators, Faculty, and Academic Instructional Staff.
Consensual intimate relationships between undergraduate students and senior administrators, faculty, and academic instructional staff of the University are prohibited, as are actions intended to solicit such relationships.

All senior administrators, faculty, and academic instructional staff are regarded as occupying a position of authority over undergraduate students because they likely have the ability now, or at some point in the future, to directly or indirectly exercise authority over the undergraduate student. This may occur by, among other things, teaching, grading, advising, mentoring, evaluating or supervising research; participating in decisions on academic advancement and status; participating in decisions on funding or other resources; and writing letters of reference or otherwise making recommendations for admissions, employment, fellowships or awards.

(B) Staff and Post Docs in a Position of Authority.
Beyond the staff administrators and academic instructional staff addressed in the preceding section, consensual intimate relationships between undergraduate students and staff or post docs are prohibited (as are actions intended to solicit such relationships) when the staff member or post doc is in a position of authority over the undergraduate student. For purposes of this prohibition, “position of authority” includes any position in which the staff member or post doc likely has the ability now or in the future to exercise authority over the undergraduate student.

The prohibition in this section includes but is not limited to staff who serve as athletic coaches, supervisors of student employees, mentors, counselors, staff involved in discipline for academic integrity and community standards violations, staff engaged in advising or administration of the undergraduate student’s academic coursework or extracurricular program, housefellows, staff providing services directly for students (including University police and providers of healthcare or psychological services), staff with the ability to access or modify a student’s academic, financial or other record, and staff working in the office of any Senior Administrator.

(C) Student Relationships.
The University does not prohibit consensual intimate relationships between students. However, where one student is in a position of authority over another: (a) neither student should solicit or initiate an intimate relationship with the other; and (b) any consensual intimate relationships must be disclosed and mitigated. A position of authority exists where a graduate or undergraduate student serves as an undergraduate student’s teacher, TA, tutor, research supervisor, grader, resident assistant, community advisor, supervisor in a student employment role, or mentor designated by the university (such as orientation student leaders).2

In such cases, the student in the position of authority must immediately disclose the existence of the intimate relationship so that alternative arrangements may be made for the teaching, evaluation or oversight/supervision. At a minimum, an appropriate mitigation plan will be put in place to assure that the intimate relations do not compromise the educational or work relationship.

Exceptions to General Rules Above

The situations described below will be treated as exceptions to this policy. In each of these scenarios, the University’s objective will be to manage or mitigate the conflicting professional and intimate relationships. While the existence of the intimate relationship will not constitute a policy violation in itself, the individual in the position of authority will be expected to immediately disclose the existence of the relationship, cooperate in the development of a management or mitigation plan, and comply with the management or mitigation plan.

1. Consensual Intimate Relationships Existing at Time of Adoption of Policy. Any faculty member, staff member or student in a position of authority over another student who, at the time of the adoption of this policy has an established intimate relationship with an undergraduate student must disclose the existence of that relationship so that appropriate steps may be taken to assure the integrity of the professional relationship.

2. New Community Members. When two individuals who are newly joining the University community already have a consensual intimate relationship that would be prohibited by this policy before they join the University community, or when a new community member has been in a pre-existing intimate relationship with a current community member that would be prohibited by this policy, the individual in the position of authority will be expected to disclose the relationship so that mitigating steps may be taken.

3. Existing Community Member Enrolled as a Student. When a faculty or staff member is in a consensual intimate relationship with another faculty or staff member and one of them enrolls in undergraduate courses, the individual who is in the position of authority will be expected to disclose the relationship so that mitigating steps may be taken.

Disclosure and Reporting

As indicated above, there are a number of circumstances in which the individual in the position of authority in a consensual intimate relationship must “disclose” the existence of that relationship so that the University may manage or mitigate the situation to ensure the intimate relationship does not compromise the professional relationship. In addition to required disclosure by the individual in the position of authority, the other party to the consensual intimate relationship may choose to disclose the existence of the relationship, and third parties who are aware of the relationship may also “report” the relationship to the University. This section identifies the various options available for disclosure and reporting.

As to any information that is disclosed or reported, care will be taken to respect the privacy of persons affected, and information is intended to be used only for purposes related to this policy and its enforcement.

(Disclosure)

Disclosure is required to be given by the individual who is in a position of authority, and the other party to the consensual intimate relationship may choose to make disclosure. In either case, disclosure may be made by contacting one of the individuals identified below or by completing an online form described below.

Students may make disclosure to any of the following:

  • At the local level, to the faculty instructor for the course at issue, head TA, academic department head, associate dean or supervisor
  • At the University level, to the Associate Vice President for Community Standards and Diversity Initiatives

Faculty may make disclosure to any of the following:

  • At the local level, to their department head or dean
  • At the University level, to the Vice Provost for Faculty

Staff may make disclosure to any of the following:

  • At the local level, to their supervisor
  • At the University level, to the Senior Director, People & Organizational Effectiveness, Human Resources Division

If the party making disclosure would prefer not to reach out directly to one of the individuals identified above, s/he may complete the Consensual Intimate Relationship Disclosure Form. Disclosure using the online form will go initially to relevant university-level administrator identified above. The party receiving the form may reach out to facilitate a dialogue with the individuals involved in the consensual intimate relationship, and will coordinate an effort with the instructor, department head, dean or staff supervisor, as necessary and appropriate, to develop a management or mitigation strategy or take such other action as may be appropriate.

Where the situation is addressed directly at the local level, the responsible party at the local level will be expected to inform the relevant University administrator (identified above) of the situation and planned local action to assure appropriate oversight, accountability and coordination of action.

The responsible parties shall consider the perspectives and preferences of the individuals involved in the consensual intimate relationship in devising and implementing a management or mitigation strategy, to the extent consistent with the principles and purposes of this policy.

(Reporting)

Where a third party is aware of a consensual intimate relationship that is addressed in this policy, s/he may report this information by contacting any of the individuals identified in the disclosure section above or by completing the the Consensual Intimate Relationship Report Form. If the reporting party would prefer to remain anonymous, s/he may report through the University's confidential ethics reporting hotline at cmu.ethicspoint.com. Please note that it is important to provide sufficient detail in a report so that the University is able to take appropriate and meaningful action.

Mitigation

Appropriate mitigation may include among other things, reassigning any direct teaching, evaluation or supervision as soon as practicable, avoiding direct interaction and/or influence, developing and implementing a plan to transition supervisory authority, otherwise assuring objective evaluation and supervision, and managing potential conflicts.

Compliance with this Policy by Individuals in Position of Authority

Allegations that the individual in the position of authority has failed to comply with this policy (e.g., soliciting a prohibited relationship, failing to disclose a consensual intimate relationship where required, or failing to comply with an approved management or mitigation strategy), will be reviewed in accordance with the relevant community standards or other applicable standards of conduct, handbooks, policies, procedures, practices and contracts, and may result in remedial or disciplinary actions and/or sanctions.

Alleged violations of this Policy, the decision to impose sanctions and the procedure for imposing sanctions shall conform: (a) in the case of a faculty member on the tenure-track, research-track, teaching-track, librarian/archivist-track, or special faculty track, to the provisions of the section on "Dismissal for Cause and Other Sanctions" of the Appointment and Tenure Policy of Carnegie Mellon University (except that action regarding such a person's administrative appointments is at the discretion of the President); (b) in the case of a student, whether undergraduate, graduate, or non-degree, to the provisions in the section on Community Standards in the Student Handbook; and (c) in the case of a staff member, to the provisions in the section on Staff Relations in the Staff Handbook, unless superseded by the provisions of an applicable collective bargaining agreement.3

Questions about this Policy/Support

If you are uncertain whether a relationship is covered by this policy, you are encouraged to disclose the facts and seek guidance rather than fail to disclose. Questions may be addressed to your department head or supervisor, and to the other individuals referenced in the disclosure section above.

Anyone who is in need of support, particularly those who are not in the position of power, and third parties who feel that they have been impacted by the existence of a prohibited intimate relationship should reach out to any of the individuals referenced in the disclosure section above.

1This policy deals exclusively with consensual relationships. Allegations of non-consensual conduct will be handled under the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy (Interim).

2This policy does not preclude individual departments or organizations within the university from designating student roles other than the aforementioned as being ones where an intimate relationship with an undergraduate would be deemed inappropriate and therefore should be disclosed and mitigated.

3To the extent that an intimate relationship gives rise to claims under the University’s Policy against Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault, such non-consensual conduct will be subject to review under the standards and process provisions set forth in that policy, and may lead to the imposition of separate, additional discipline or sanctions.