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Thursday, September 18, 1997 - Page 6 NEW S Should students Faculty-Student dating warned against in Provost Coley's memo Continued from page J have received saying it 'does not condone' the behavior, the It states that sanctions for sexual harass- ing is taking place now, Coley says that it ment may include Coley's memo? college is not condemning it either." a specific or dismissal, according a reprimand, suspension, of has happened in the past. that it is happen- the college needs One reason to the seriousness "I have no knowledge policy is to avoid responsibility if a lawsuit the offense. ing now," she explained, ''The climate is very BY JONATHAN SHACAT is filed. SWf!Wr;/er Sherri Hughes, a psychology professor, Hughes noted that sexual harassment different from what it was years ago. The Provost Coley sent a memo to all fac- said, "Laws hold an employer accountable laws prohibit people from having relation- heightened awareness of sexual harassment interfere ships that may "unreasonably with of colleges ulty regarding faculty-student dating. for an employee's behavior unless they can work performance or create an intimidating, and the nonacceptance that have affected of this the behavior" are factors Even though students are directly in- show that that behavior is not [deemed] ac- hostile, or offensive work environment." rate of this phenomenon. volved in this matter, they were nor sent ceptable by the college." But Hughes noted that these laws are al- Several sources said that there are fac- aeopy. While it may appear that the main pur- ways subject to interpretation on a case by ulty and administrators on the WMC cam- And there are no plans to send them pose of the memo was to protect the college case basis in a court of law. pus who married students attending the one. by moving towards a policy, Hughes thinks According to one part of the memo, many school at which they were teaching, includ- According to Philip Sayre, dean of it is to prevent the students from being ex- colleges have spelled out in great detail the ingWMC. student affairs, there is no need to send ploited. limits of faculty-student relationships. For Some faculty have a hard time under- out such a memo because this informa- According to the Statement of Policy on example, Harvard University tells its teach- standing how such a relationship between tion on sexual harassment is already Discrimination and Harassment in the Affir- ing staff to "be aware that any romantic in- students and faculty members could form. published in the Student Guide and mative Action Manual, "Harassment refers volvement with their students makes them Losch wonders why a forty year old pro- DateBook and was written about in an to intimidating or hostile overtures within a liable for formal action against [hem." fessor would want to date an 18 year old stu- editorial in the spring in The Phoenix. context of unequal power, or by third par- Regardless of the existence of a college dent. ''They have very few life experiences None of the students interviewed were ties. Overtures include retaliatory actions policy, some professors must abide by rules in common and the relationship probably aware of this policy. taken for refusal to comply with any imposed in their discipline such as the Ethical Prin- would not be healthy or last a long time." "If for some other reason this topic requirements for response. Harassment in- ciples of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Dr. Robert needs to be particularly addressed then cludes not only forcing physical, environ- . That code for example specifically pro- professor, said Lemieux, a communication as to why he is confused it should be brought up again," said mental, or verbal attention upon an unwill- hibits psychology professors from dating stu- "some professors are pursuing such a rela- Sayre. The issue might be the focus of ing recipient, but also making discriminatory dents. One section reads, "Psychologists do tionship knowing this is an ethical issue." a discussion at an upcoming open fo- or offensive remarks." not engage in sexual relationships with stu- Current relationships between faculty and rum, he added. Asked via e-mail if she can reprimand a dents or supervisors in training over whom students may be more common than Coley Tomas Urbano, a sophomore, thinks professor for dating a student based on cur- the psychologist has evaluative or direct au- thinks. students should have received a copy of rent college policy, Coley replied, "I don't thority, because such relationships are so "This kind of thing happens everywhere," the memo. reprimand professors." likely to impair judgment or be exploitative. said Losch, , "but maybe not with the same "It is an issue for both faculty and In an interview, Coley said that if a stu- Hughes follows this code of conduct. She at each place. students. Both parties are being ad- dent were to' make a complaint she would views this behavior as detrimental to the frequency if it didn't happen I would be very surprised here at least oc- dressed in it." follow it up with a meeting with the suspected welfare of the classroom environment. casionally." Dr. Robert Lemieux, a communica- faculty member. She would refer to the _ ''The primary issue is that this behavior Losch said he thinks the memo was writ- tion professor, said he thinks that while college's policy in the Affirmative Action puts a student at risk of being exploited, a ten "as an open recognition that this is going students should not have been invited Manual and make her position clear to the facuity member at risk of being perceived as on somewhere." to the sexual harassment workshop nor person. unprofessional. [Meanwhile] other students However, Lemieux, a WMC professor of sent a memo, they are still entitled to "It is unethical and unwise," she said. are wondering what the nature of the rela- two years, disagrees. He said, "From what I some infonnation. If the professor did not modify his or her tionship is and what impact it has on grades," have observed here I would say there is no "It is an issue students should be behavior and continued to date a student even said Hughes. "It creates an uncomfortable dating going on. But at the larger universi- made aware of just as they are in other after being told to stop, Coley is not sure what environment for students." ties the chances are larger because there is a areas of academic life," he said. the outcome would be. In terms of whether faculty-student dat- greater number of students." On the other hand, Paul Scott, a se- "Hopefully we are never going to find out. ing is going on to any great degree, Coley Lemieux hesitated from "reading beyond nior, does not think students need to see Isure would not want to speculate on a situ- said, "At the present time I don't think there the issue" saying he takes the memo "at face the memo. ation that 1 hope never comes up," she said. is anything flagrant. I don't think there is value." He contends that the provost is just "It is the professor's responsibility The manual Coley refers to addresses a some professor who has outrageous behav- making the faculty aware of the AAUP [to refrain from dating students]. It variety of unacceptable behaviors but does ior. I can't believe that if that were the case (American Association of University Profes- should not even be for the students to not specifically address the question of pro- I would nOI know about it." sors) code of ethics and reminding them that worry about." fessors dating their students. While she has no evidence that such dat- WMC held this workshop. Jennifer Boyer, a first-year student, has a different take on it. May 8, J997 about such behavior and that this concern against them. (Harvard University, 1990) "If it was a big issue then yes, stu- Dear Colleagues, might not lead eventually to charges being I consulted the attorney who was dents should get a copy of it, but if it filed. present at the College's sexual harassment was a small issue then no they Several events on campus have served The AAUP Code of Ethics states that fac- workshop about the College's liability for shouldn't," she said. "But Iguess it was to focus the attention of the College com- ulty members should avoid "any exploita- faculty conduct that is reported and may a big issue if she wrote a letter about munity on the issue of sexual harassment. tion of students ... for private advantage." lead to a complaint or a law suit. I was it." Most recently, an editorial in The Phoenix This phrase has been used recently and suc- advised that it is important to indicate that examined the topic in a thoughtful way, cessfully in law suits brought against indi- the College does not condone dating be- CLASSIFIEDS Students seem to be aware of the unaccept- be- lationships were consensual. even when those re- tween students and faculty. At the very vidual taculty members able nature relationships of amorous Many colleges tween faculty and students. On March 27, and universities including institutions as di- least it is unethical to date a student who SPRING BREAK '98 there was a college wide program on sexual is currently in a faculty member's class or SeU Trips, Earth Cash & Go Free!!! Stu- harassment to which all in the community verse as the University of Iowa, Temple, detail and is likely to be. In the worst case scenario, Harvard have speUed out in greater with devastating legal action could result dent Travel Services is now hiring cam- were issued an invitation. Attendance was than has WMC of the limits of faculty-stu- implications. pus reps/group organizers. Lowest good from administration and staff of the dent relationships. For example: As you can imagine, this is not an easy rates to Jamaica, Mexico & Florida. College. but only one or two faculty mom- Amorous relationships that might be ap- letter to write. As Dean of the Faculty, Call 1·800·648·4849 bers attended. propriate in other circumstances always have however, it is my duty to help increase the This year increasing numbers of stu- inherent dangers when they occur between SEIZED CARS from $175. sensitivity of the faculty to the current eli- dents have complained in the Academic any teacher or officer of the University and mate here on the Hill and indeed through- Porches, Cadillacs, Chevys, BMV's, Affairs Office and elsewhere on campus any person for whom he or she has a profes- out the country. I am sure the vast major- Corvettes. Also Jeeps, 4WD's. Your about student-faculty relationships that go sional responsibility (i.e.. as teacher, advi- ity of our colleagues are acutely aware of Area. TollFree l-800-218-9OC.OA-3327 for beyond the bounds of casual friendship. sor, evaluator, supervisor). Implicit in the the problems that may arise from certain current listings. Because the relationship between students idea of professionalism is the recognition by behaviors between faculty and students. and faculty members is always an unequal those in positions of authority that in their For those who have not given this issue PARTY, MEET PEOPLE AND one by definition, faculty members full or relationships with students or staff there is much thought. I hope you will find this GET PAID te KODAK Spring Break tri pan-time who engage in such conduct leave always an element of power. It is incum- letter informative and will take time to re- wide open for mispercepnon, We'll pay you more than anyone themselves or worse. Certainly, the cli- bent upon those with authority not to abuse. flect on these important issues. nor to seem to abuse, the power with which complaints, else ...GUARANfEED! mate that might have accepted such behav- they are entrusted. Officers and other mem- Thank you. NO RISK. ..we handle all the bookkeeping. ior in the past has changed dramatically bers of the leaching staff should be aware CALL WORLD CLASS VACATIONS over the past decade. It is naive to think that any romantic involvement with their stu- Sincerely. 1~2224432 that others in the community will not care dents makes them liable for formal' action Joan Develin Coley 0ur2lst ear _aod~