Prohibited Consensual Relationships

The California State University’s Executive Order 1096 prohibits consensual relationships which meet certain conditions.  The prohibition is defined as follows:

Consensual relationship means a sexual or romantic relationship between two persons who voluntarily enter into such a relationship. While sexual and/or romantic relationships between members of the University community may begin as consensual, they may evolve into situations that lead to Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, Sexual Misconduct, Dating or Domestic Violence, or Stalking subject to this policy.

A CSU Employee shall not enter into a consensual relationship with a Student or Employee over whom s/he exercises or influences direct or otherwise significant academic, administrative, supervisory, evaluative, counseling, or extracurricular authority. In the event such a relationship already exists, each Campus shall develop a procedure to reassign such authority to avoid violations of this policy.

PROCESSES FOR DISCLOSURE OF APPLICABLE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIPS

Employees who are in a current consensual relationship or contemplating entering a consensual relationship as defined above are responsible to disclose this relationship to the Title IX Coordinator. Additionally, third parties may also report consensual relationships which they believe fall under the purview of EO 1096.  To ensure the integrity of the reporting process, anonymous reporting is discouraged.

Please note that failure to disclose a consensual relationship which potentially falls under behavior prohibited by EO 1096 may result in discipline that is administered in a manner consistent with applicable collective bargaining agreements, CSU policies, and legal requirements.

The goal of the review process in all cases will be to assist with preservation of the relationship.  All documentation regarding consensual relationships disclosed and their resolution shall be maintained by the Title IX Coordinator.  In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, as well as university policies, every reasonable effort will be made to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of these records.