Consensual Relationships
Graduate School Code of Legislation PDF Document
Summary
Cornell strives to protect the integrity of the university experience of students and postgraduates, with the freedom to pursue academic, training, research, and professional interests in an environment without preferential or unfair treatment, discrimination, harassment, bias, or coercion. As a result, Cornell’s consensual relationship policy, Policy 6.3, states that romantic or sexual relationships between students or postgraduates (as defined by policy) and faculty members, staff members, or others in positions of authority over them are prohibited whenever those relationships have the potential to interfere with an individual’s right or ability to pursue academic, research or professional interests.
Policy
Cornell University Policy 6.3 defines a consensual relationship as a “romantic and/or sexual relationship willingly undertaken by the parties” and prohibits romantic or sexual relationships between faculty members or others in positions of authority and students and postgraduates under several provisions. The policy also describes relationships that are not prohibited, but which require disclosure.
Related Policy
Cornell University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning, living, and working environment for its students, faculty, and staff. The university does not discriminate on the basis of protected status in the education programs and activities it operates, including admission and employment. To this end, the university provides means through this policy to address bias, discrimination, harassment, and sexual and related misconduct (which is considered a form of sex-based discrimination).
Identities protected under this policy are those protected under federal, state, and local equal education and employment laws and regulations. These include race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, caregiver status, height, weight, and any other legally protected class.
Learn more on the Cornell Office of Civil Rights website.
Contact
Janna Lamey
Associate Dean for Graduate Student Life
janna.lamey@cornell.edu
Cornell Office of Civil Rights
titleix@cornell.edu
607-255-2242
Policies and procedures