Drawing the Line: Staff/Student Relationships
- A Professional Relationship
- Overstepping the Line
- Cultural Differences
- Respect Works Both Ways
- University Policy
- Further Information
A Professional Relationship
The University of Melbourne is committed to an environment for staff and students free of discrimination and harassment, where decisions about assessment, selection and access to resources are based on merit. For members of the University community to gain the greatest benefit from their experience at the University, it is essential that the relationship between staff and students is a professional, trusting and respectful one.
Case Study 1
Hans became involved in a sexual relationship with his lecturer. In the middle of the semester, the lecturer terminated the relationship and now Hans is confused and feels uncomfortable attending the lectures. He is afraid of the impact his distress and absence will have on his marks in the mid-year exams.
At times, the line of professional behaviour is crossed and personal relationships form between staff and students. There can be a considerable cost for both staff and students if the line between the personal and professional is overstepped.
Even if both parties want a relationship, circumstances may change and conduct that was previously welcome may become unwelcome.
Overstepping the Line
There are significant risks in any sexual or romantic relationship between individuals in unequal positions, such as lecturer and student, supervisor and student/employee, or student resident and the individual who supervises the day to day student living environment.
Such relationships may undermine the real or perceived integrity of the supervision, evaluation provided and the trust in the student/staff relationship. In addition, as a result of an unequal power balance, one person may feel pressured to be involved in a sexual relationship.
Such relationships may have an actual or perceived negative effect on others in the academic or work environment.
Case Study 2
Jana and her thesis supervisor in the Arts Faculty have started a sexual relationship after two years of a professional relationship. She and the supervisor have attempted to keep this aspect of their relationship hidden from the other staff and student members of the Department. Rumours have started, however, especially after another postgraduate student, who has the same supervisor, complained to the Head of Department that he was not able to see the supervisor as often as Jana. He also complained about the fact that the Supervisor had chosen Jana above him to work on a research project on a topic related more to his area of interest than Jana's
As a rule, professional responsibilities and personal relationships should not mix. Where such a circumstance exists, the staff member should not be involved in decision-making or other processes that could advantage or disadvantage the student.
If participation in any processes cannot be avoided, the conflict of interest must be discussed with the Dean, Head of Department or other appropriate person.
Relationships where one person is in a position to review the work or influence the career of the other may provide grounds for complaint when that relationship gives unfair access, advantage or disadvantage to the student involved, or restricts opportunities and creates a difficult environment for others.
Cultural Differences
A relationship may well be perceived in different ways by each of the people involved in it. The significance of cultural differences cannot be underestimated in the professional relationship between staff and students.
Case Study 3
Li is a postgraduate student in the Faculty of Engineering. She has been disturbed by what appears to her to be inappropriate touching and comments by her supervisor. She feels unable to express this concern to the supervisor because he is in a position of authority and is the only person in the Faculty who is able to supervise her thesis and she is scared that if she says something, he will stop supervising her.
Certain forms of communicating, such as language used, eye contact, types of touching, which may be commonplace in Western communication between professionals, may not be appropriate when communicating with staff or students from a different cultural background. Though a member of staff may not be intending to communicate anything other than friendliness to a student, certain gestures may be misunderstood.
Respect Works Both Ways
Not only must the staff of the University respect their duty of care towards their students, but also students must not abuse the trust that is crucial to the professional relationship between themselves and a staff member. A student may form an attachment to a particular tutor, for example, and assume that because the tutor has been helpful and attentive to them, the tutor is sexually interested in them.
Case Study 4
Rene developed an emotional attachment to his Law Tutor and believed that the Tutor felt the same way because she always made time to see him after the tutorial, offered to provide extra assistance with his language difficulties and listened carefully to his opinions. When Rene suggested they go on a date, the Tutor refused and stated that she was not interested and that their relationship was a professional one. Rene continued to ask the Tutor to go out with him and began skipping classes so that he could attend other classes she held.
Such a situation not only severely affects the Tutor in her ability to perform her duties, but also detrimentally affects Rene's academic progress and the Tutor's other students.
University Policy
The University has policies and procedures to address situations such as those outlined above. The Responsibilities of University Staff Policy and Staff-Student Relationships Policy prohibit behaviour on the part of staff that may compromise their position of trust with students.
The University insists that staff must avoid conflicts between a personal relationship and professional responsibilities.
In some circumstances, an initial sexual approach to a student, or engaging in a sexual relationship with a student, constitutes sexual harassment and can be the subject of a complaint under the University's Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures.
Staff must recognise their professional and ethical responsibility to protect the interests of students. Students must also respect the professional nature of the relationship between staff and student and accept the constraints and obligations in that relationship.
Further Information
If you are being discriminated against because a professional relationship is being compromised by a personal relationship, or you feel uncomfortable with the behaviour of a staff member or student towards you, you need to contact the Equal Opportunity Unit on 8344 4438. The Equal Opportunity Unit will be able to assist in a number of ways, including:
- Outlining the policies and procedures of the University;
- Discussing the situation with you in the strictest confidence and devising strategies to prevent further distress;
- Providing contact names and details of Anti-Discrimination Advisers and Sexual Harassment Advisers.
Some other useful services include:
- MUOSS (Overseas Students' Service):8344 4801
- International Centre: 8344 4505
- Postgraduate Association (UMPA): 8344 8657
- Counselling Service: 8344 6927
- International Student Support Unit: 8344 7620
- Student Union Advisory Service: 8344 9730/8344 5416