If the highest standards of professional conduct are to be maintained, however, all members of the campus community should understand that sexual advances or sexual comments by a teacher or supervisor toward a student or employee may be unprofessional conduct. Every member of our community should also be aware that there are special considerations for relationships between instructors and students currently enrolled in their classes or academic programs. The Academic Senate resolved in 1987 that even a single, mutually welcomed advance of an explicit romantic or sexual nature from an instructor to a student currently enrolled in her or his course must be regarded by the academic community as a serious breach of professional ethics and proper standards of professional behavior. Such an overture can impair the educational environment not only for the instructor and the student singled out for her or his attentions, but also for the other students enrolled in the course, who are, or believe themselves to be, negatively affected by the relationship, in ways such as unacceptable discrimination regarding grading, references, access to laboratory equipment or other resources and educational opportunities. The University will take strong action to end such conduct, including all appropriate remedies for the complainant and disciplinary action against the student responsible for the conduct.
Sexual assault is a prominent issue throughout the country.
Such incidents cause enormous pain to the individuals who are directly involved and to the community whose peace is shattered. Colleges and universities play important educational and administrative roles in addressing the problem of sexual assault and, consequently, many campuses have been leaders in the development of educational programs on sexuality, communication, and sexual assault. Violations of the campus policy prohibiting sexual harassment and assault will result in disciplinary or corrective action, ranging from a warning to dismissal, depending on the nature of the violation. Individuals who think they might at some point be interested in pursuing criminal prosecution are advised to report any physical or sexual assault as soon as possible to the UCSC Police Department. Any attempt to carry out reprisals, or in any way retaliate against someone who has lodged a complaint of sexual harassment or assault, whether that complaint is sustained or not, may also result in disciplinary action.