<York Calendars<Undergraduate Calendar 2001-2002<Faculty of Arts<Academic Advising and Student Responsibility

Policy on Personal Relationships Between Instructors and Students

Evaluation Procedures

It is the policy of the Faculty of Arts to endeavour to create and maintain a learning environment characterized by equitable conditions for all students. In order to further that goal and to ensure the continuing integrity of academic standards, it is expected that instructors who have a close personal relationship with a student who desires to enrol in their course will, in consultation with their Chair and/or Dean (or designate), make appropriate alternative arrangements for the evaluation of that student. If no appropriate alternative arrangements for evaluation can be agreed upon, the student may not enrol in the course.

Without limiting the generality of the relationships in question, these include the following: (a) where the instructor is the parent (or child) of the student; (b) where the instructor is the spouse or spousal equivalent of the student. Should a relationship such as the one described in (b) arise during the course and before completion of evaluation of the student, the instructor shall consult with the Chair and/or Dean (or designate) as to an appropriate evaluation procedure.

It is incumbent upon the instructor to exercise professional responsibility and to declare a potential or apparent conflict of interest where it exists. If the instructor fails to do so, the Chair and/or Dean (or designate) shall make the appropriate alternative arrangements for the evaluation of the student.