Professionalism is fostered by an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.
Trust and respect are diminished when those in positions of authority abuse their power. Any University faculty or staff member who enters into a sexual relationship with a student, or a supervisor with an employee, where a professional power differential exists, must realize that such a relationship may be exploitative, involve inherent conflicts of interest, and imperil the integrity of the educational process or of the work environment, From such a relationship, a charge of sexual harassment may subsequently result. Last updated October 27, 1997.