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- Commit yourself to develop and maintain a culture of mutual respect, trust and accountability. When in doubt about the appropriateness of a relationship you observe, address the person and /or their supervisor to assess that situation and establish a plan.
- Cultivate a personal sense of awareness. Be willing to reflect on the appropriateness of your relationships, especially those of unequal power.
- Develop discernment when discussing deeply personal and complex life situations with students and colleagues. At times, one conversation can indicate a serious problem you are not equipped to handle. At other times, the emergence of problems or the awareness of difficulty for you may take several conversations. In either case consult with and/or refer to the Director of Counseling or a member of the Counseling Staff at the College of Arts and Sciences or with a member of the Pastoral Care or Marriage and Family Faculty at the Seminary.
- When concerned about the direction a conversation has taken, about whether or not a boundary has been crossed or about the appropriateness of a relationship, consult with a colleague, your Supervisor/Department Chair, member of the Counseling Center, member of the Pastoral Care or Marriage and Family Therapy Faculty (at the Seminary) and/ or the Director of Human Resources the Vice President People and Culture to develop a plan of action.
- Be mindful that meeting times, places and content of discussions are appropriate to the type of relationship you have (e.g. at times coffee off campus may be appropriate, at other times not).
- If you believe that a significant boundary has been violated, you must consult with your appropriate supervisor/department chair as soon as possible. In an emergency, or if you are not sure to whom a report should be made, contact the Director of Human ResourcesVice President People and Culture.
The above guidelines are meant to assist our community in its journey toward becoming the kind of culture where all can feel secure and flourish.
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