Employee/Student Fraternization

State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech) is committed to an educational environment in which all students are treated with respect and dignity. Every employee is to provide students with appropriate guidance, understanding, and direction while maintaining a standard of professionalism and acting within accepted standards of conduct. Employees must set appropriate boundaries with students and conduct themselves in a manner that will maintain a professional relationship with students at all times. This policy is designed to protect both staff and students and to assure the safety and well-being of all employees and students.

This policy applies to all State Tech employees at all times, whether on or off duty and on or off of the campus. State Tech employees are expected to exercise good judgment and professionalism in all interpersonal relationships with students. Such relationships must remain on an employee-student basis. Employees must be mindful of their inherent positions of authority and influence over students.

Employees are prohibited from engaging in any conduct that could be interpreted as a relationship that exceeds the employee-student working relationship, regardless of whether the conduct occurs during or outside of college hours, on or off college property. Examples of prohibited fraternization include but is not limited to:

• Engaging in any romantic, sexual, or intimate relationships between State Tech employees and students.
• Participating in inappropriate emotional or social relationships in which the relationship is outside the boundaries of the reasonable, professional employee-student relationship.
• Allowing any student to visit the employee’s home.
• Visiting a student’s home unless conducting official college business.
• Permitting any student to reside in their home unless they are parents, relatives, or legal guardians.
• Allowing any student to travel in the employee’s personal vehicle for school-related or non-school-related matters.
• Sharing excessive personal information and or beliefs on non-school related issues (e.g. marriage, dating, sex, mental health, suicide, religion, etc.) Those issues are best handled by professional mental health provider or school counselors.
• Using students’ knowledge, skills, or abilities for personal gain or profit.

Employees are placed on notice that if an employee acts outside the performance of the duties of the position for which the employee is employed they do so at their own risk and assume all liability for their actions. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary actions up to and including termination.

LINE OF AUTHORITY

Responsible administrator or office: Human Resources

Contact person in that office: Amy Ames

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 16, 2023

Approved by President: August 16, 2023