Policy Statement:
Because of the inherent risk of impropriety or harm, Lesley University prohibits unequal consensual romantic or sexual relationships between employees and students. Lesley also prohibits unequal consensual romantic or sexual relationships between employees when one of those individual has an advisory, supervisory, or managerial responsibility over the other (collectively, "supervisory relationships," defined below).
Definition of Supervisory Relationship:
For the purpose of this policy, a "supervisory relationship" is defined broadly. Supervisor in a supervisory relationship is defined as the individual who has an educational, advisory, or managerial responsibility over the other. Supervisory relationships include, but are not limited to,
- manager and report, direct or indirect
- faculty member and faculty member
- faculty and student
- adjunct faculty member and student
- teaching assistant and student
- adviser and advisee
- counselor or health professional and patient
- coach and student athlete
- student resident and individuals who supervise the student living environment
- student and individuals who participate with students on trips and excursions
- contractor and student
- contract employee and student
- vendor and student
- purchaser and vendor
These examples are illustrative but not exclusive. Supervisory relationships may be formal or informal.
Report an Incident to any one of these Lesley University officers:
Dr. Barbara J. Addison Reid
Director of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion/Title IX Coordinator
Office of the President
29 Everett Street
Cambridge MA 02138
617.349.8507
Email: baddison@lesley.edu
Email: equalopportunity@lesley.edu
Ms. Jane Joyce
Director of Human Resources
29 Everett Street
Cambridge MA 02138
617.349.8785
Email: ajoyce3@lesley.edu
Dr. Nathaniel Mays
Dean of Student Life and Academic Development
29 Everett Street
Cambridge MA 02138
617.349.8538
Email: nmays@lesley.edu
These officers were selected to provide all members of the Lesley community with the opportunity to initiate a complaint in a place in which they feel comfortable doing so. If the complaint is against one of the three designated University Officers listed in this policy, the complaint may be initiated with one of the other officers.
Manager Responsibility:
Any manager who receives a complaint or otherwise learns of a relationship prohibited by this policy must immediately contact one of the three University officers listed above.
A manager's failure to promptly report a relationship prohibited by this policy may warrant disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from employment at the University. A manager's failure to report may also lead to personal liability under law.
Employee and Student Responsibility:
Everyone at Lesley University has the responsibility to assure that romantic or sexual relationships between individuals in unequal positions are not common practice in our environment so that everyone feels safe. In these kinds of relationships there are potential conflicts of interest, exploitation, favoritism, and bias. Furthermore, the relationship may be less consensual and perceived in a different way by each of the parties to it, especially in retrospect.
Lesley University expects members of our community to avoid any behavior that could reasonably be interpreted as a violation of this policy and to immediately report any suspected violations.
Employees have additional responsibilities. In situations where two employees in a direct reporting line become romantically or sexually involved, both parties are required to disclose their relationship to the Director of Human Resources. One of the individuals will be required to move to a different supervisory line within thirty (30) days of the disclosure. Failure to comply with this disclosure requirement is a violation of this policy and grounds for appropriate corrective action, up to and including dismissal from employment with the University.
Reporting a Violation of this Policy:
Reports of a violation of this policy should be submitted verbally or in writing and can be made to anyone in a managerial position, e.g. Chair, Deans, Division Director, Department Head, Director, or Vice President, or specifically to one of the University officers listed above.
Investigation of Complaints:
Lesley University will promptly and fairly investigate all reports of relationships that may violate this policy and will do so in accordance with Lesley University's Complaint Resolution Procedures.
Protection Against Retaliation:
Lesley strictly prohibits any form of retaliation against a student or employee who in good faith submits a report of a possible violation of this policy or who cooperates in the investigation of a report.
Confidentiality:
Reasonable efforts are be made to protect the privacy and confidences of all parties during the investigation without compromising the thoroughness of the investigation or fairness to the parties, and consistent with and subject to the University's need to investigate the complaint and/or implement any disciplinary action.
Corrective Action:
Every report of a violation of this policy will be investigated and corrective action will be taken where appropriate. Any such action can lead to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University educational programs or dismissal from employment with the University.
Duty of Good Faith:
Lesley University prohibits any member of the Lesley community from knowingly or recklessly bringing a false complaint against another member of the Lesley community.
Lesley University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer. The foregoing Unequal Consensual Relationship Policy is designed to enhance access to and understanding of Lesley's policies and is not intended to create a contract between Lesley and its employees or other persons. Lesley reserves the right to amend or revoke its policies at any time without notice.
Signed May 18, 2012
Joseph B. Moore, President
Approved by: The President
History: Issued - (date)
Revised - June 1, 2009
Revised - January 18, 2011
Revised – May 18, 2012
Responsible Official: Director of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion/Title IX Coordinator