Preamble: The following is a statement defining some areas of ethical behavior towards students by faculty. It is based on discussions held at a workshop for faculty and staff in the spring of 1987. The Equity Committee unanimously passed the following statement. This statement has been endorsed by the Faculty Senate and sent to all members of the faculty and to all administrators as a statement of professional standards.

1. Recognizing that, at times, students will offer us gifts or favors, we must be aware of potential implications. Acceptance of such offerings should be avoided.
   
   
2. Recognizing that student sensitivities must be respected, we must appreciate that remarks based on gender, race, religious or ethnic group, physical handicap or sexual orientation are inappropriate in the classroom environment.
   
   
3. Recognizing that instructors are concerned with the welfare of students and that students will, at times, wish to share information of a personal nature, it is appropriate for faculty to listen sympathetically to students but not to elicit, reveal or exploit confidential information.
   
   
4. Recognizing that while amorous relationships are appropriate in other circumstances, we accept that such relationships are always inappropriate when they occur between any faculty member and his or her student. Further, such relationships may have the effect of undermining the atmosphere of trust on which the educational process depends. Implicit in the idea of professionalism is the recognition by those in positions of authority that in their relationships with students there is always an element of power. It is incumbent upon those with authority, not to abuse, nor appear to abuse, the power with which they are entrusted.
   
   
5. Recognizing that under certain circumstances touching students may be appropriate, we acknowledge that sexual touching of a student by an instructor is never appropriate.
   
   
6. Professional interaction between students and instructors should always take place in an academic setting.
   
   
7. Instructors should never engage in nor condone sexual harassment. In the academic context, the term "sexual harassment" may be used to describe a wide range of behavior. The fundamental element is the unwelcomed personal attention by an instructor who is in a position to determine a student's grade or student employment or otherwise affect the student's academic performance or professional future.