University of Illinois System
Policy on Workplace-Related Intimate
Personal Relationships
I. Background and Rationale
Professional and supportive relationships among faculty or staff and students are at the heart
of the education and research missions of the University of Illinois System. Indeed, faculty and
staff routinely and effectively serve as mentors, advisors, role models and teachers both in and out
of the classroom. This policy in no way is intended to interfere with such professional
relationships. There are also intimate personal relationships that exist among colleagues and staff
members across our universities and in the University Hospital and clinics. Nevertheless, sexual,
amorous, dating, and romantic relationships under some circumstances have interfered with
achievement of the U of I System’s institutional mission by undermining the integrity of
professional roles. The unequal institutional authority inherent in certain relationships invites a
host of issues—perceived or actual conflicts of interest, abuses of authority, biased treatment,
favoritism—that can damage the campus’ learning and work environment and distract from
student growth and well-being. The fact that a relationship was initially consensual does not
insulate either party from a claim of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment (which are governed
by separate policies), nor does it guarantee that said relationship will remain consensual between
parties of varied positional powers. Further, a party’s professional or academic reputation may
suffer due to perceptions of favoritism or exploitation. Moreover, such relationships may lead to
restricted opportunities, or a perception thereof, for others in the work or academic environment.
Intimate Personal Relationships between Faculty or Staff and Undergraduate Students, even
absent any Supervisory or Evaluative Authority, may lead to unanticipated conflicts of interest
because a Faculty or Staff member’s influence and power may extend beyond the classroom,
department, or team. There is always the possibility that the Faculty or Staff member may
unexpectedly be placed in a position of power over the Undergraduate Student. Due to the
institutional power differential in Faculty-Student and Staff-Student relationships, there is the
inherent risk of coercion and the perception by others of exploitation, particularly where
Undergraduate Students are involved. Undergraduate Students’ broad educational opportunities
and experiences are such that plans to manage these important issues are typically inadequate as a
remedy.
Intimate Personal Relationships between Faculty or Staff and Graduate/Professional Students
also can be problematic. If the Faculty or Staff member and Graduate/Professional Student are in
the same department or affiliated with the same program, the possibility exists that the Faculty or
Staff member may influence evaluation or academic or career advancement of a student within the
Faculty or Staff member’s program. Such conflicts of interest are most pertinent with a Faculty or
Staff member directly supervises the Graduate/Professional Student, as discussed below.
Intimate Personal Relationships where one party has Supervisory or Evaluative Authority over
the other party create a conflict of interest. Individuals in supervisory or evaluative roles can affect
the academic and employment careers of those in subordinate positions and can have access to