THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE
              POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

                                        No.          54     
                                        Date         4-22-96      
                                        Approved     PBR       


Subject: Policy Concerning Improper Relationships Between Students and
Employees


Applicable to:  EPA non-teaching employees; SPA employees; and temporary
employees. 

Philosophy:  Sexual relations between students and employees of UNCA with whom
they also have an academic or evaluative relationship are fraught with potential for
exploitation.  The respect and trust accorded to a university employee by a student, as
well as the power exercised by the employee in an academic or evaluative role, make
voluntary consent by the student suspect.  Even when both parties initially have
consented, the development of a sexual relationship renders both the university
employee and the institution vulnerable to possible later allegations of sexual
harassment in light of the significant power differential that exists between employees
and students.

Employees are encouraged to foster wholesome and appropriate relationships with
colleagues, students and staff.  Students tend to hold the whole academic profession
(faculty, administrators, and staff) in high esteem and as such, invest extraordinary
trust and respect in its members.  Only by upholding high standards will university
personnel be able to meet their collective obligation to each other.

Policy:  It will be considered misconduct for a UNCA employee, incident to any
instructional, research, administrative or other University employment responsibility
or authority to evaluate or supervise any enrolled student of the institution with whom
he or she  has an amorous relationship or to whom he or she is related by blood, law
or marriage.

It will be considered misconduct for a UNCA employee to engage in sexual activity
with any enrolled student of the institution, other than his or her spouse, who is a
minor below the age of eighteen years.

Violations of this policy shall be considered personal misconduct  in accordance with
policies and procedures for the class of employment of which the affected employee
is a member, i.e. SPA employees as defined under State of North Carolina Personnel
Manual's "Discipline, Dismissal and Grievance Procedures" and for EPA nonteaching
under "Personnel Policies for Designated Employees Exempt from the State
Personnel Act."


Definitions:

Amorous relationship:  An amorous relationship exists when, without benefit of
marriage, two persons as consenting partners (a) have a sexual union or (b) engage in
a romantic partnering or courtship that may or may not have been consummated
sexually.

Related by blood, law or marriage:    Means (a) parent and child (b) brother and
sister   grandparent and grandchild (d) aunt and/or uncle and niece and/or nephew (e)
first cousins (f) step-parent and step-child (g) husband and wife (h) parents-in-law and
children-in-law (i) brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law (j) guardian and ward.

Evaluate or supervise: To assess, determine or influence (1) one's academic
performance, progress or potential or (2) one's entitlement to or eligibility for any
institutionally conferred right, benefit or opportunity or (3) to manage, oversee or
direct one's academic or other institutionally prescribed activities.