Consensual Relationship Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines the University’s expectations regarding romantic or sexual relationships that involve power differentials. Such relationships—e.g., between faculty and students, coaches and athletes, or supervisors and employees—carry inherent risks and may compromise academic integrity, workplace fairness, and the well-being of third parties.

Scope

The policy applies to all members of the McNeese community—faculty, staff, and student employees—whenever one party holds, or could hold, supervisory or evaluative authority over the other.

Expectations for Personal Relationships in Hierarchical Contexts

Personal relationships across unequal positions of authority may be less consensual than perceived and can undermine confidence in grading, team selection, or personnel decisions. Although the University does not intrude on private relationships, it must address situations that:

• disrupt the legitimate interests or work of students or employees;
• cast doubt on the objectivity of academic or employment evaluations; or
• otherwise compromise the University’s standards of fairness and professionalism.

Accordingly, McNeese strongly discourages any romantic relationship in which one participant currently holds—or might reasonably be expected to hold—supervisory or evaluative power over the other.

Mandatory Disclosure

Any member of the McNeese community who becomes involved in a covered relationship must promptly disclose the relationship to their immediate supervisor. Disclosure is required even if the parties believe the relationship to be confidential or harmless.

University Response and Corrective Actions

Upon disclosure, the University may:

• reassign the individual in the position of greater authority to alternative duties;
• remove or modify supervisory responsibilities; or
• adjust rank, salary, or benefits as necessary to eliminate conflicts of interest.

Failure to self-report will result in disciplinary action for the individual in the superior position. Sanctions may include written reprimand, reassignment, suspension, or termination, depending on the circumstances.

Communication

This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.