Chapter 6: Campus-Wide Policies
Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when a faculty member engages in self-dealing
or in other activities which prevent him or her from exercising independent
judgment in the best interests of the University and State. The Virginia
Conflict of Interests Act prohibits such activities. Questions about
these matters should be directed to the University’s representative
in the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia.
Amorous relationships between faculty and students whom they directly
supervise are unwise and unprofessional. Faculty members are expected
to avoid romantic or sexual relationships with students whom they teach,
coach, supervise, evaluate, or grade. Such relationships risk creating
the perception that bias and/or favoritism may play a part in student
evaluation. Additionally, such relationships create potential harm for
students and raise the potential for liability for the faculty member
if the facts regarding the relationship support a claim of sexual harassment.
Even in cases where the faculty member does not directly supervise the
student, participation in an amorous relationship with a student may
lead to difficulties. Such relationships, particularly when the faculty
member and student are in the same academic unit, create the potential
for conflicts of interest. Faculty members should distance themselves
from any decisions that may reward or penalize a student with whom the
faculty member is having, or has had, an amorous relationship.