Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 19, 1993 TAG: 9308190235
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The policy, a part of the university's overall "conflict of interests" policy, focuses on the fairness of such relationships.
"For instance, it's unfair to the students if the person teaching a class has a special relationship with one of them," said Stephen Schnatterly, president of the faculty senate.
In the spring, the often-emotional discussion focused on whether it was possible to freely consent to a relationship if one person had authority and power over the other.
"This policy is simpler and easier to understand," Schnatterly said.
Two of UVa's vice provosts drafted the new policy - with input from faculty, staff, administrators and students - during the summer.
The policy is based on a resolution adopted by the full faculty this past spring. The debate over the resolution drew national attention. Some on campus had favored a policy that would have banned outright any sexual relationships between faculty and students.
"I think it's more fair than anything I've heard so far," said Jason Morgan, vice president for UVa's student council. "It's not so much from the moral standpoint - it talks about what's unprofessional."
The policy requires faculty members to avoid making sexual overtures to students over whom they have authority.
It also says faculty members must avoid being placed in a position of authority over spouses or other immediate family members who are students at the university.
And it notes, as with other policies on campus, that violations could lead to disciplinary action.
Last spring, students and the rest of the campus community were divided over the issue. Some thought the university needed a firm policy, while others thought that would take away a student's right to make decisions.
This summer, the student council took a survey of 25 student leaders. "Our consensus was that there was no consensus," Morgan said.
But he believes most people will be happy with the new policy, a compromise between the two extremes.
"The problem I had in the spring was that it seemed like they were trying to legislate a morality issue," Morgan said.
The new policy doesn't rule out relations between faculty and students who are not academically involved. It allows privacy and choices, but "also prevents unfairness and exploitation and damage - even if that damage is inadvertent," said Sharon Davie, head of UVa's women's center.
She added that while the policy likely will not wipe out sexual harassment, it could give confidence to people being harassed and encourage them to go for help.
The policy will be well-publicized when school begins this fall, she said.
Colleges across the state have said they will be watching Mr. Jefferson's university as they examine and re-examine their own policies.
Many of those policies are vague, although many specifically discourage relationships between teachers and faculty.
Virginia Tech administrators have said they may look toward a more definitive policy at the state's largest university.
Staffers with the American Civil Liberties Union also have been watching as UVa struggles to put into words its ethics and standards.
"I think it's a softer policy than the one that was considered last spring," said Stephen Pershing, legal director for the ACLU in Virginia. And he admires the intent.
But he worries still that even consensual relationships could be used as evidence in some sort of disciplinary action, and that the policy itself "could have a chilling effect on otherwise unremarkable relationships."
More simply put: "The government should not be able to tell any of us who we can and cannot date," he said.
by CNB