Employee Student Relations 

Purpose

This policy provides for a safe and healthy learning and working environment guided by mutual respect, trust, professionalism, and ethics. It is in the best interests of our community to provide a clear statement about the prohibition of romantic and/or sexual relationships where an apparent or inherent power imbalance exists between the parties.

To Whom Does This Policy Apply

This policy applies to all employees, students, and volunteers of the College.

References

This policy complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Washington Law Against Discrimination, RCW 49.60, and RCW 28B.10.910, .912, and .914.

Definitions

Instructional position: Position involving advising, coaching, and/or teaching any student(s).

Romantic relationship: Mutual, ongoing interactions between two partners that are characterized by specific expressions of affection and intimacy.

Sexual Relationship: Brief or ongoing intimate personal physical and emotional interaction.

Sphere of Influence: Departments and/or personnel affected by the decisions and actions of an individual who works in or oversees that organizational area.

Subordinate: An employee who reports to a supervisor and/or manager.

Supervisor: An employee with responsibility for coaching, directing, evaluating and/or leading another employee or employees.

Policy

It is the policy of the College that employees in supervisory or instructional positions shall not accept, agree to, allow, encourage or engage in a romantic and/or sexual relationship with any subordinate including but not limited to: employees, students, trainees, interns, volunteers, or others within their sphere of influence and/or authority. Examples of such prohibited relationships may include, but are not limited to: 

• Supervisor and direct or indirect subordinate(s) 
• Employee/faculty member(s) and student(s) within the employee/faculty member's sphere of influence 
• Faculty/instructor(s) and professional technical, healthcare, and/or clinical student(s) and intern(s) within the employee/faculty member's sphere of influence 
• Advisor/mentor(s) and student(s)/intern(s) 
• Coaching or athletics staff and student-athlete(s) 
• Any campus authority figure and any student, volunteer, work-study, or employee. 

Pre-Existing Relationships:

Pre-existing personal relationships that predate a supervisory, instructional, or professional responsibility between those individuals must be promptly disclosed to the Executive Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator (EDHR). The EDHR will work with the relevant persons and department(s) to address potential conflict of interests. 

Mandatory Reporting:

An administrative head of a department, program or unit who obtains information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a personal relationship exists, as identified above, shall report the relevant information to the Executive Director for Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator (EDHR) or Vice President of Finance and Administration (VPFA) for review and appropriate action.

Retaliation

Retaliation is prohibited against anyone who discloses or submits information regarding violation of this policy or participates in an investigation regarding this policy. Any substantiated act of retaliation may result in sanctions or other disciplinary action as covered by any TCC policy (including the Code of Student Conduct) and/or the disciplinary procedures pursuant to the applicable collective bargaining agreement(s), if any.