Concordia University releases guidelines on faculty-student relationships

As promised, Concordia University has released its revised guidelines concerning faculty-student relationships, in the wake of allegations ofsexual misconduct by some professors in the English department.

Earlier this month, two creative writing professors were stripped of their teaching duties as a result ofthose allegations.

At least one other professorin the department, who does not have any classes this semester,has also beenthe subject of harassment allegations, somedating back to the 1990s.

• EXCLUSIVE | Another Concordia creative writing prof faces harassment allegations from former students

The school said earlier this week it would be releasing the new guidelines, which it says were drafted in response to a recommendation made months ago by itsSexual Assault Policy Review Working Group.

The guidelines have been released earlier than planned as a result of the allegations.

"It is imperative to set boundaries that eliminate any confusion of professional and personal relationships between instructors and students," the university said in an email to students and staff announcing the guidelines.

"Thisis glaringly the case with respect to romantic or sexual relationships."

The guidelines stateprofessors should avoid any romantic or sexual relationship with a student and must declare it, if not, because any relationship would beconsidered a conflict of interest.

"Failure [of]an instructor to disclose an actual or perceived conflict of interest is a violation of the university's Code of Ethics and could result in a disciplinary offence," the email said.

• Concordialaunches investigation into alleged sexual misconduct, president denies prior knowledge

Though more explicit, the guidelines are not a departure from rules laid out in the school'scode of ethics for employees.

University spokespersonMary-Jo Barr told CBC MontrealDaybreakhost Mike Finnerty earlier this month that the school can not outright forbid intimate relationships between instructors and students only strongly discourage them.

"We explored the option of banning such relationships, but concluded, for legal reasons, we cannot prohibit such relationships between consenting adult," Barr said in an emailed statement Friday.

Quebec's Bill 151 requires the province's post-secondary institutions to adopt, by September 2019,policies preventing sexual violence, includinga complaint procedure and a code of conduct for intimate relationships between students and those with influence over their studies.

ConcordiaUniversity President Alan Shepard also sent an internalemail, detailing the school's initiatives in response to the allegations of sexual impropriety and the new law.

"We are one of the first universities in Quebec to issue guidelines that meet these new legislative requirements ofBill 151," Shepard wrote.

"While we have streamlined the process for reporting sexual violence, it's clear we can still do better so that people feel safe when they want to bring an allegation to our attention."

Shepard noted the university will assembleatask force on sexual misconduct and sexual violence, and is developing a review of the climate in its English Department.