Consensual Relationships

Workplace Dating and Relationships

Davidson College prohibits supervisors and managers from dating or having any amorous or sexual relationship (consensual or otherwise) with a subordinate, including student employees and interns. The college also prohibits any employee from dating or having any amorous or sexual relationship (consensual or otherwise) with any college employee or intern of lesser authority if the employee with greater authority has responsibility of any kind in reviewing, evaluating, supervising, or determining the performance, compensation, job assignments, or general work of the other individual.

Such relationships can be disruptive to the work environment, create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest, and lead to charges of favoritism, discrimination, and claims of indirect sexual harassment.

Davidson College reserves the right to take whatever action is appropriate, in its discretion, to protect the college's interests in the event of supervisory / subordinate relationships or violation of this policy generally. This may include, among other things, reassignment or dismissal of one or more of the employees or interns involved.

Also see Non-Discrimination and Non-Harassment Policy, Employment of Relatives, and Employment of Minors policies.

Employee/Student Dating and Relationships

In addition to the above restrictions on workplace dating and relationships, faculty are governed by section 2.5.10 E. of the Faculty Handbook, which states, “Davidson College strictly prohibits amorous and sexual relationships between faculty and students, despite any claim to mutual consent. Violation of this policy may include sanctions up to and including dismissal of the faculty involved."

Staff employees are prohibited from dating students, asking students for dates, engaging in amorous or sexual activities with students, asking students to engage in amorous or sexual activities, or engaging in any activities designed to encourage or which does encourage an amorous or sexual relationship with a student when the student's academic work, admissions, enrollment, athletic, or other educational participation or programming is being supervised or subject to review in any way by the staff employee.

Any other amorous or sexual relationship between an employee and student not otherwise prohibited by this policy is nonetheless strongly discouraged. In principle, such relationships call into question the professional integrity of the staff employee, create an appearance of impropriety, and raise potential conflicts of interest. In addition, such relationships jeopardize the academic freedom of the college community insofar as academic freedom demands an environment in which no person is intimidated, exploited, or coerced. The claim of mutual consent to such relationship will not prevent the staff member from being subject to administrative sanctions.

Davidson College reserves the right to take whatever action is appropriate, in its discretion, to protect the college's interests in the event of employee/student relationships or violation of this policy generally. This may include sanctions up to and including dismissal of the employee involved.