A proposal that advises against consensual relationships between a supervisor and his subordinates and requires such cases to be reported was the main topic of discussion at Thursday's meeting of the Academic Council. Also at the meeting, the council heard an update on research grants at the University in 2001.
Sally Dickson, vice president for institutional equity, said the policy on relationships is meant to govern sexual and romantic relationships in which one party supervises the other. The policy defines supervisor as "anyone who oversees, directs or evaluates the work of others" and includes deans, professors, teaching assistants, coaches and managers.
"One should not engage in such activities if he or she is engaged in such a relationship," Dickson said. "I think what we are presenting... is a very thoughtful policy."
Dickson said her office has worked on the policy for over two years and has consulted other universities' policies for guidance. Additionally, she was careful to demarcate this policy from others, such as those prohibiting sexual harassment and nepotism.
"I think the policy is advisory," Dickson said. "It advises individuals of the harm... how [these types of relationships] interfere with our values of dignity and respect for our students, faculty and staff."
The council generally agreed with the thrust of the policy, focusing much discussion on its ambiguities, such as what qualifies as a "romantic" relationship, which relationships are covered under the proposal and what sort of sanctions are associated with it.
"Whether or not a relationship is sexual, there is a certain amount of clarity," said James Boyle, professor of law. "[Whether] a relationship is or is not romantic, especially in the eyes of an outsider, is considerably fuzzier."
Council members also expressed concern about the limitations of the policy to address the area that falls between what is clearly a consensual relationship and sexual harassment.
"Surely there has to be some gray area that is left to the civility of human beings," said John Staddon, James B. Duke professor of psychological and brain sciences. "You cannot... define every single thing, and even if you did, there would still be debate."
Also at the meeting, James Siedow, vice provost for research, presented the council with statistics on the amount of research funding the University receives. Overall, the funding from external sources in the 2001 fiscal year rose by 9 percent to $94.6 million. Awarded dollars--what Siedow characterized as a near-term indicator of future spending--increased by 16 percent to $107.6 million. The total sum of funding applied for increased 37 percent to $184.4 million. "Overall, funding indicators point toward continued growth," Siedow said. "But, things aren't perfect. There is a downward drift in federal funding."
Arts and Sciences posted gains in all three areas, and the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences reversed several years of decline and no growth to post gains. In the Pratt School of Engineering, the amount awarded decreased by 19 percent to $15.6 million, but Siedow said this may be temporary since the amount of proposals increased by 125 percent.
IN OTHER BUSINESS: Nancy Allen, professor of rheumatology, and Janice Radway, professor of literature, were presented as two candidates to replace Professor of Classical Studies Peter Burian as chair of the council. Members will elect the next chair, who will serve a two-year term beginning July 1, at their February meeting.
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