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Pepperdine | Community

Faculty-Student Relations

Pepperdine is committed to providing a safe, equitable, and hospitable academic and work environment for all members of our community. Consensual sexual or romantic relationships between members of the University community in unequal positions of power or authority can undermine this commitment and raise significant legal, administrative, and ethical risks. This is especially true when the consensual relationship involves a faculty member and a student.

Because of the heightened risk of a real or perceived power imbalance between faculty and undergraduate students, faculty members shall not engage in a sexual or romantic relationship with any undergraduate student currently enrolled at Pepperdine. This policy is applicable regardless of whether the faculty member exercises academic or other authority over the student, and regardless of the college or school where the student is enrolled. After consultation with the relevant dean or program director and the CHS dean, exceptions to this section of the policy regarding undergraduate students may be permitted in limited appropriate circumstances (e.g., a non-traditional undergraduate student who takes no classes in the same department as the faculty member).

In the case of consensual romantic relationships between faculty and graduate students, the following policies are applicable.

  • No faculty or staff member shall enter into or be engaged in a sexual or romantic relationship with a student over whom that faculty or staff member has direct authority. Conversely, no faculty or staff member shall exercise direct authority over a student with whom the faculty or staff member currently has, or previously had, a sexual or romantic relationship.
  • No faculty member shall enter into or engage in a sexual or romantic relationship with a student who is enrolled in any academic program or department in which the faculty member participates.

In the event that a CHS student serves in a teaching or evaluative role for a specific course (e.g., as a teaching assistant or teaching associate), they shall not enter into or be engaged in a sexual or romantic relationship with any student then-enrolled in that course. Conversely, no student serving in a teaching or evaluative role for a specific course shall exercise academic authority over any student in that course with whom they currently have, or previously had, a sexual or romantic relationship.

If any of the above situations preexist or arise, the party in the position of greater authority, the faculty member or the student teaching assistant, must promptly recuse themselves from any role with direct authority over the other party, and immediately disclose the relationship to their dean, program director, or supervisor, so that any potential conflicts and risks can be managed. Should a faculty member learn that a student serving in a teaching or evaluative role is engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student, they must immediately report the relationship to their immediate supervisor, as well as their dean or program director.

Once a consensual sexual or romantic relationship between a faculty member and student is disclosed, the dean or program director should inform the CHS Dean who will then inform Human Resources and\/or General Counsel. Together, all parties will determine how to eliminate or minimize the conflict of interest and disruption of the academic or work environment. Where appropriate, this may include development of a written management plan, a copy of which shall be retained by Human Resources and the College of Health Science.

Individuals who wish to file a complaint regarding a violation of the Faculty-Student Relations Policy may contact the CHS Dean or a representative of Human Resources. Faculty who violate this policy may be subject to discipline in accordance with the Faculty Handbook or University policy, as appropriate. Students who violate this Policy while acting in a teaching or academic role may be subject to discipline in accordance with the code of student conduct or other relevant policies.

This section does not address relationships between faculty members or between faculty and staff members. The policy on workplace relationships is addressed in Sections 5.1 and Section 8.5 of the University Policy Manual.