Philosophy
Yale University has banned all romantic and sexual contact between faculty and undergraduate students. It had previously been in place that it was unacceptable between any faculty member and any student where there was ?direct pedagogical or supervisory responsibilities,? but this is a ban for the entire class of undergraduate students and the entire class of faculty members, so the question is not one of harassment or trading favors. Graduate students are not affected in either direction.
Those arguing in its favor contend that even if there is no academic threat from such relationships, in an overwhelming number of cases they turn out badly for the student because of the power differential. It causes rifts in the faculty and leads to morale issues. On these utilitarian grounds, they argue the ban is appropriate.
There is also a duty-based argument against which is that the students are under the care of the institution and since they exercise in loco parentis authority in other ways, this is just a reasonable extension.
The argument against the ban is rights-based. These are adults and there is no professional relationship that is being unfairly compromised, so what gives the administration the right to tell these autonomous individuals whom they can and cannot sleep with.
Which argument seems stronger, or is there one not considered?
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Philosophy
Yale Sex Ban
Yale University has banned all romantic and sexual contact between faculty and undergraduate students. It had previously been in place that it was unacceptable between any faculty member and any student where there was ?direct pedagogical or supervisory responsibilities,? but this is a ban for the entire class of undergraduate students and the entire class of faculty members, so the question is not one of harassment or trading favors. Graduate students are not affected in either direction.
Those arguing in its favor contend that even if there is no academic threat from such relationships, in an overwhelming number of cases they turn out badly for the student because of the power differential. It causes rifts in the faculty and leads to morale issues. On these utilitarian grounds, they argue the ban is appropriate.
There is also a duty-based argument against which is that the students are under the care of the institution and since they exercise in loco parentis authority in other ways, this is just a reasonable extension.
The argument against the ban is rights-based. These are adults and there is no professional relationship that is being unfairly compromised, so what gives the administration the right to tell these autonomous individuals whom they can and cannot sleep with.
Which argument seems stronger, or is there one not considered?
- In Loco Parentis Or Just Plain Loco?
We had an all-faculty conversation about advising the other day and then I met with my in-coming first year advisees just after this post came out on Crooked Timber. The post discusses gender and student expectations concerning student-faculty relationships....
- The Teacher-former Student Relationship
Having lunch today with some former students who were back for Homecoming Weekend. Good, smart, funny alums who always seem to need recommendations for amazing things they are going on to do. The student-teacher relationship is itself a complex one. How...
- The Ethics Of Extensions
I've been thinking about this question lately after Confused, Maybe Not and I had a discussion about some of our colleagues' policies on giving extensions on assignments and on moving exam dates. Many of those who are rigid about not giving extensions...
- Women At Cu-boulder Philosophy Department Speak Out
"Female CU-Boulder philosophy colleagues speak out on report" by Sarah Kuta February 18th, 2014 Boulder Daily Camera For the first time since the release of an independent report detailing sexual harassment within the University of Colorado philosophy...
- Pdes Now At Canadian Mcgill University
"New class for the physics department?" Partial differential equations could become a requirement at McGill by Jenna Blumenthal January 31st, 2011 The McGill Daily Not since they put a flat screen in the foyer has Rutherford Physics seen such excitement....