Rationale and Definition

A Consensual Relationship as that term is used in this policy is one in which two members of the St. Olaf college community are engaged by mutual consent in a romantic or sexual relationship. When such a relationship involves people who differ in power within the college community, it is of special concern because of the potential for conflict of interest and/or abuse of power. Decisions that must be made free from bias or favor may come under question when made by a person who may benefit from or be harmed by the decisions. The mere appearance of bias resulting from a Consensual Relationship may seriously disrupt the academic or work environment. Equally important, such relationships have the potential to undermine our sense of community, mutual trust, and support.

The seeds of harassment and sexual harassment can exist in Consensual Relationships of any kind that involve differences of status or power. For these reasons, St. Olaf College has adopted the following policy with respect to Consensual Relationships and places all employees on notice that the College views Consensual Relationships by a college community member with a college community member over whom he or she has authority as unwise and of a high risk, especially when students are involved.

Consensual Relations Policy

A. St. Olaf College strongly discourages Consensual Relationships between:

1. a supervisor and an employee who is subordinate to that supervisor;

2. an administrator and a faculty member in a unit under that administrator’s direction; and

3. an administrator and a staff member in a unit under that administrator’s direction.

B. St. Olaf College prohibits Consensual Relationships between a faculty or staff member and any student enrolled at the College. St. Olaf College also strictly prohibits within a Consensual Relationship between employees or students any behavior in violation of the College’s Harassment policy.

A member of the college community who violates the prohibition in part B above will be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal. In situations involving the discouraged behavior in part A, the College reserves the right to transfer employees, rearrange reporting arrangements, or take other action, including disciplinary action, to remedy any situation deemed inappropriate.

Reporting Apparent Violations and Procedures for Action

Any member of the college community who has reason to believe that a violation of the Consensual Relations Policy prohibitions in Part B has occurred or that a college community member’s engaging in the discouraged behavior in Part A is adversely affecting another college community member or the College should immediately contact the Provost, Vice President, Dean of Students, or Associate Dean supervising the person believed to be in violation of the policy, to express his/her concern and to explain the basis for concern. Individuals can also contact the College’s Affirmative Action Officer or the Office of Human Resources. Administrators contacted are responsible for working with Human Resources and/or Student Services to see that the matter is investigated and/or acted upon appropriately. Any concern about violations at the Dean/Vice President/Provost level may be taken to any of the above-listed persons, or to the President, who shall take, or cause to be taken, appropriate action. If a student believes that he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment, he or she also may file a grievance under the student grievance policy published in “The Book.”

Education

St. Olaf College provides educational opportunities to acquaint members of the college community with the specific provisions of this policy to promote better understanding of the difficult issues which may arise as a result of Consensual Relationships between members of the college community.