The educational mission of Southern Oregon University is promoted by professionalism in faculty-student relationships.
Professionalism is fostered by an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.
Actions of faculty members and students that harm this atmosphere can undermine professionalism and hinder fulfillment of the University's educational mission. Trust and respect are diminished when those in positions of authority abuse or appear to abuse their power or appear to favor a student based on a personal relationship with a student. Faculty members exercise power over students, whether in giving them praise or criticism, evaluating them, making recommendations for their future employment, or in conferring any other benefits on them. Even outside the instructional context, such relationships may lead to difficulties. Such situations, both inside and outside the instructional context, increase the chances that the faculty member may abuse, or be perceived as abusing, her or his power to exploit the student sexually.