Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 29, 1993                   TAG: 9304290500
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DRAWING A LINE SEXUAL CONDUCT AND MISCONDUCT

It has come up with a policy that reflects a reasonable compromise, though it still could be improved.

In recommending a ban on sexual relationships between faculty and the students they teach, the University of Virginia's Faculty Senate has embraced the most compelling concern of those pushing for a new rule: that even a consensual relationship in these circumstances is suspect because of the power held by a teacher over a student.

Such liaisons are clearly unprofessional. Even if they are entered into with the best of intentions, they are fraught with danger for both parties.

The American Civil Liberties Union questions any bar on consensual relationships between adults. But the rule now being suggested is no more than a professional standard of conduct aimed at eliminating an inherent conflict of interest.

Virginia Tech would do well to look at the UVa proposal and consider strengthening its own guidelines. Tech President James McComas creditably says he sees a need for a more definitive policy than the current one, which simply notes the serious ethical problems presented by even consensual relationships.

UVa's proposed policy is a considerable improvement over the original suggestion, to ban all romantic relationships between students and faculty members, whether a teacher holds any authority over a student or not.

But the current proposal still contains a word that gives pause, in extending the ban to "amorous or sexual relations" and "amorous or sexual overtures."

"Amorous" is too vague. With that word stricken, the policy would stand as a strong line of defense against sexual misconduct. It's a policy other institutions would do well to emulate.