The complete Faculty Code of Conduct (Code), part of the University of California Academic Personnel Manual, is available in APM 015 (PDF). A portion of the Code outlines faculty obligations to students.
As teachers, the professors encourage the free pursuit of learning of their students. They hold before them the best scholarly standards of their discipline. Professors demonstrate respect for students as individuals and adhere to their proper roles as intellectual guides and counselors. Professors make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct and to assure that their evaluations of students reflect each student’s true merit. They respect the confidential nature of the relationship between professor and student. They avoid any exploitation, harassment, or discriminatory treatment of students. They acknowledge significant academic and scholarly assistance from them. They protect their academic freedom.
—1966 AAUP statement, revised 1987
The integrity of the faculty-student relationship is the foundation of the University’s educational mission. This relationship vests considerable trust in the faculty member, who, in turn, bears authority and accountability as mentor, educator, and evaluator. The unequal institutional power inherent in this relationship heightens the vulnerability of the student and the potential for coercion. The pedagogical relationship between faculty member and student must be protected from influences or activities that can interfere with learning consistent with the goals and ideals of the University. Whenever a faculty member is responsible for academic supervision of a student, a personal relationship between them of a romantic or sexual nature, even if consensual, is inappropriate. Any such relationship jeopardizes the integrity of the educational process.
In this section, the term student refers to all individuals under the academic supervision of faculty.
Failure to meet the responsibilities of instruction, including
Discrimination, including harassment, against a student on political grounds or for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, ethnic origin, national origin, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), or service in the uniformed services as defined by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), as well as state military and naval service, or, within the limits imposed by law or University regulations, because of age or citizenship or for other arbitrary or personal reasons.
Sexual violence and sexual harassment, as defined by University policy, of a student.
Violation of University policy, including the pertinent guidelines, applying to nondiscrimination against students on the basis of disability.
Use of the position or powers of a faculty member to coerce the judgment or conscience of a student or to cause harm to a student for arbitrary or personal reasons.
Participating in or deliberately abetting disruption, interference, or intimidation in the classroom.
Entering into a romantic or sexual relationship with any student for whom a faculty member has, or should reasonably expect to have in the future, academic responsibility (instructional, evaluative, or supervisory). A faculty member should reasonably expect to have in the future academic responsibility (instructional, evaluative, or supervisory) for (1) students whose academic program will require them to enroll in a course taught by the faculty member; (2) students known to the faculty member to have an interest in an academic area within the faculty member’s academic expertise; or (3) any student for whom a faculty member must have academic responsibility (instructional, evaluative, or supervisory) in the pursuit of a degree.
Exercising academic responsibility (instructional, evaluative, or supervisory) for any student with whom a faculty member has a romantic or sexual relationship.
If a student has reason to believe that a faculty member has violated the Faculty Code of Conduct, the student has several options. The student may report the alleged violator to the chair of the department or to the dean of the division or school, seek mediation with the Office of Ombuds Services, or seek advice from the Senate’s Grievance Advisory Committee. If the alleged violation involves grading or other student evaluation, the student may file a grading grievance. If the violation involves sexual harassment, sexual violence, or discrimination, the violation should be reported to the Civil Rights Office. If the student feels that formal discipline may be warranted, the student may so inform the chair of the department, or the dean of the division or school, or may file a charge themselves with the Academic Senate Charges Committee. If the student seeks remedies based on the alleged violations, the student should work with the Office of the Dean of Students.
