Oh My…, Harvard University Bans Professors From Having Sex With Undergraduates

Hehehe..., So this is the gist. Harvard University this week banned its professors from having sex with undergraduates, revising a conduct policy that administrators decided did not fully recognize the “unequal status” between instructors and students.

The change, similar to those announced recently by other institutions, came as part of a review of Harvard’s schoolwide Title IX policy on sexual and gender-based harassment, and amid increased federal scrutiny of colleges nationwide.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences, which oversees Harvard’s undergraduate programs, concluded that though there were some prohibitions on romantic involvement — professors couldn’t sleep with students they supervise — the rules needed to be clearer.

The language now explicitly bans undergrads and professors from having “romantic or sexual relationships,” regardless of whether the student is taking a course taught by that professor. 

The policy also prohibits similar relationships between faculty members and the graduate students they supervise.

Harvard officials would not comment on what penalties might apply to professors or students who violate the policy.

Bloomberg News, which first reported the ban Thursday, said other New England colleges have taken similar steps.

Students interviewed Thursday in Harvard Yard gave the new policy mixed reviews.

“I would think that most faculty would be upstanding in their acts,’’ said sophomore Dan Rubin. “It’s fine that it’s on record now, but I don’t think they were catching anyone.”

Andrew Kim, a junior, said there probably are instances when a student and faculty member who are romantically involved decided that being together was a good decision.

“It seems strange to legislate that,” he said.