Policy

St. Norbert College strives to foster an environment that is respectful, fair and free of harassment and discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, and to avoid potential conflicts of interest, favoritism, coercion, abuse or breach of professional standards, the college prohibits romantic or sexual relationships between members of the community who are associated through supervisory, teaching, advisory or evaluative roles. 

Specifically, the college prohibits any faculty member, employee, graduate assistant or undergraduate teaching assistant from engaging in a romantic or sexual relationship, or in any romantic or sexual conduct, with any individual who they supervise, teach, advise, evaluate, counsel or coach. 

Furthermore, the college prohibits any faculty member or other employee from engaging in a romantic or sexual relationship, or in any romantic or sexual conduct, with any student currently enrolled at St. Norbert College.

Procedures

Reporting

Violators of this college policy will always be the person with greater authority who is engaging in prohibited behavior with someone in a position of lesser authority. If you become aware of any conduct prohibited by this policy, report the conduct to the assistant vice president of human resources or designee if the involved individual is a staff member. If the involved individual is a faculty member or student, report the conduct to the appropriate divisional vice president or designee. The responsible office, working with other college administrators, will investigate the report and determine the appropriate response. Members of the college community who violate this policy will be subject to discipline, including termination. 

Relationship to Other Policies

This policy is intended to be an addition to existing college policies and does not alter or modify any of them. If any complaint of harassment or discrimination is made, the existence of a consensual relationship in violation of this policy shall not be a defense in any college process or response. 

Exclusions and Exceptions 

This policy is not intended to apply to relationships between spouses, in cases where the spouse of a faculty member or employee enrolls as a student in a college course or program. It also does not apply to relationships between undergraduate students, provided the students are not associated through supervisory, teaching, advisory or evaluative roles. 

Requests for exceptions to this policy may be considered on a limited, case-by-case basis by the vice president for academic affairs (in cases involving faculty or students) or the assistant vice president for human resources (for staff). 

Questions about the application or effect of this policy on an existing or potential relationship should be directed to the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources.