The presence in the classroom of spouses of instructional staff members may not involve a power differential, but it should be understood by the instructor that the conflict of interest implicit in this situation may be a cause for complaint. Amorous relationships between instructor and student are vulnerable to complaint. In such situations there exists the chance that the faculty member will abuse his or her power and sexually exploit the student. Voluntary consent by the student is suspect, given the fundamentally asymmetric nature of the relationship. Moreover, other students and instructors may be affected by such behavior because it places the instructor in a position to favor or advance one student s interest at the expense of others.
Consensual relationships make obtaining benefits contingent on amorous or sexual favors.
Some of these activities also carry the potential for conflict of interest, exploitation, and injury. They include the advising of student organizations and activities, and the administration of student services. It is the intent of this policy that the same standards defined above shall also be applied to these activities. The UW-Whitewater Policy on Consensual Relationships is published in both the University and the Student Handbooks. Enquiries concerning this policy, or exceptions to it, should be addressed to the Assistant to the Chancellor for Equal Opportunity.