Actions Based on Notification:
After a thorough review of the facts conducted by the Vice President and the Director of Human Resources, and in consultation with the President, corrective action will be taken with any employee who violates this policy. Disciplinary action, up to and including termination, will be taken in the following circumstances, which include but are not limited to:
- Entering into or engaging in a prohibited relationship without immediate, proper notification
- Failing to comply with alternative arrangements
- Failing to comply with any part of this policy
The College prohibits retaliation against any person who makes a report under this policy or participates in any investigation process. Knowingly providing false reports is also prohibited and will be subject to disciplinary action.
Non-Violation of Policy:
An individual who promptly provides notification of their involvement in a relationship and cooperates in making acceptable alternative arrangements in a timely manner, will not be held in violation of this policy.
Exceptions:
Accommodations for pre-existing relationships between a faculty/staff member and a prospective/current student will also be considered on a case-by-case basis, and, when possible, will lead to development of a management plan in consultation with the supervisor, Vice President, and Human Resources. Failure to comply with the required notification, removal of evaluative authority or management plan is a violation of this Policy.
In rare and unusual circumstances, at the recommendation of a supervisor and in consultation with the Vice President and Human Resources, and approved by the President, permission may be granted for departures from this policy provided that appropriate conflict management procedures, such as transfer of evaluation responsibility, are feasible and are put into place. For example, when a student’s academic program requires a course that is taught only by the student’s spouse or partner, approval by The Vice President, Human Resources, and the President, may allow the student to take the course so long as the conflict has been disclosed and arrangements have been made for a person other than the spouse/partner Instructor to evaluate and grade the student’s work, provided such arrangements are feasible for the particular course involved.