Should universities ban staff-student relationships?

I respect Lincoln for his directness and honesty; but in response to "A ban on ‘sexualised behaviour’ would be more or less a ban on life as we know it", I'd have to say "so be it"/ bring it on! You mention "community" - which is based on rights and responsibilities. Surely a responsibility - in common with research ethics - is to cause no harm? As to men (male students) "never engaging in debate with women from a diffrent culture, even ignoring them completely"......that in itself is a form of social exclusion, and not a good plan for encouraging open debate! As to “a man talking about rape”, surely given rape by a male (on another male/ female) it is valid and important to hear male as well as female views.....in the spirit of fostering understanding. As to the allegation that "“power imbalances”, which are now thought to exist, were not considered to be a problem" back in the day....surely is a black mark against historic malpractice or blindness? Of course, given that we are all fallible humans, sexual relationships are almost bound to occur (between staff-students), BUT such links carry so many potential pitfalls.......secrecy and burden on mental health; manipulation of staff and/ or students by the other; dissent and discord fomented in a student group; rumour; gossip. And - correct me if I'm wroing but I am fairly sure that academic contracts, and policies from UCU etc specifically deter or prohibit staff-student romanic/ sexualised relationships. I am with the puritans on this one!! James 'Oliver Cromwell' (Derounian) NTF

This is a can of worms... especially when it presumes to make pronouncements on interpersonal relationships that would be quite acceptable in 'normal' society, but are just considered inappropriate when one partner is a student and the other an academic. In student days, the woman who lived in the room next door was fond of 'one-night stands' - some of her overnight guests were academics. Should they need to report such a fleeting consensual moment of intimacy? What about privacy issues? And what about the potential for abuse? False accusations of 'misbehaviour' are difficult to defend against.

Academics should not fraternise with students because, whichever way Lincoln packages it, there is a power dynamic and the student has very reduced bargaining power. Some might feel pressurised into joining an academic for drinks as a result of this dynamic. Should anything untoward happen to the student during such a social event, that academic is legally responsible. Rule of thumb: keep the boundaries very clear by not socialising with students. Will save you a world of grief when the 'me too' movement against staff (sexual) harassment begins.

I am particularly vexed by the comment above which proposes a ban on socialising with students. Some of the best experiences I had as an undergrad involved going down to the pub as a big group, usually after a research seminar, with staff, postgrads, and other undergrads. As a Ph.D. candidate I regularly went for lunch with my supervisor and other staff I knew well. At my current institution we had a staff student ceilidh last year which was a tremendous success Proposing a ban on all socialising with students is, in any case, not what is being proposed. Regarding the topic of the article, a ban on staff/student relationships will have no effect on relationships with abusive dynamics because these are, often, clandestine affairs in any case. I think we should go in exactly the opposite direction: - Insist that such relationships are public knowledge. It is far more difficult to abuse one's power in a climate of openess and honesty.

I see a proposed distinction between a faculty member having an intimate relationship with A student, and having a relationship with THEIR student. This makes sense. I strongly support the ban on intimate relationships between staff and their current students. In addition to the emotional and professional strain potentially placed on students who cannot change or escape their supervisor, or who are blindsided by any other dynamics arising from the professor's privilege or propensities, please consider the following. A student who is desired, seduced or groomed by a professor might be flattered and thrilled initially (power dynamic, intellectual sparks, sexual attraction) but is ultimately undermined in their studies by the loss of their right to judge or change their own success (or failure) on the merit of their work. This might be true regardless of whether the relationship ends well or badly. The "imposter syndrome" experienced by so many graduate students and faculty, especially women, is already a stress. The student's ability to flourish intellectually with focus and pride and to overcome that "syndrome" is potentially damaged by the complexities of the experience and this can leave lasting scars. As a graduate student I was careful never to cross that line with my professors and I am grateful that I kept that fence up because I never had to ask myself those questions. Bright young people should never have to wonder whether they did well (or badly, given how power dynamic and emotional stresses can work) for any reason aside from what they learned and what they achieved. Until our culture has eliminated sexism and homophobia, it is wrong to place that burden on students. Any staff who desires an intimate relationship with a student should have to relinquish their professional relationship with them.