Consensual Relationships Policy

Policy Name: Consensual Relationships Policy
Policy Number: 03-04-015
Version Effective Date: Not Available
Last reviewed on: January 1, 2019
Policy Applies To: University Wide
Responsible Office: Human Resources

INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This policy outlines university guidelines as they relate to consensual relationships.

POLICY
Consensual romantic and/or sexual relationships between students and faculty or staff are strongly discouraged. No person involved in a romantic or sexual relationship with a student shall have responsibility for evaluating the student's academic performance or for making decisions regarding the student's rights or benefits because of the inherent conflict of interest.

Further, it is the expectation of NJCU that all employees with supervisory or evaluative responsibility over other employees, including student employees at the University, preserve the ethical, legal, behavioral and professional boundaries consistent with accepted professional norms. The University therefore strongly discourages these consensual relationships as well. Consensual romantic and/or sexual relationships may become the basis for serious charges of sexual harassment. These relationships may also appear to others as exploitative even if the parties view their relationship as consensual.

DATE TO INITIATE REVIEW AND UPDATE
As deemed necessary or appropriate by the Policy Coordinator but at a minimum, at least every 5 years from the date of last review.