University of Cambridge tells students to stop flirting with professors under a new policy banning sexual relations between lecturers and undergrads
The University of Cambridge has ordered students to stop flirting with staff under a new policy banning sexual relationships with professors.
The new rules, which come into effect on July 1, include a warning against behavior “that could be interpreted as flirtatious.”
University staff have been told to report any behavior that could lead to a student ‘making progress towards a personal, particularly intimate relationship’ with them.
Students have even been warned that records of ‘flirty behaviour’ may be kept if the university deems it appropriate Telegraph has reported.
Staff have been told they must admit to any current or past relationships or friendships with students by August 1 or face dismissal.
The rules, which fall under Cambridge’s updated relationship policy, are part of a complete ban on sexual relationships between professors and students from July.
The University of Cambridge has told students to stop flirting with staff under a new policy banning sexual relationships with professors (file photo)
The new rules, which come into effect on July 1, include a warning against behavior ‘that could be interpreted as flirtatious’ (stock photo)
The old policy only strongly discouraged such relationships, rather than banning them entirely.
Teachers are also prevented from building a close friendship with the students they teach.
Cambridge has defended the policy, saying it has been updated to protect staff and students from potential conflicts of interest and to prevent sexual misconduct.
The new code brings Cambridge into line with the University of Oxford, which introduced a similar policy last year.
However, the Cambridge rules go one step further by saying that records must be kept of flirtatious ‘messages or other behaviour’.
A spokesperson for the University of Cambridge said: ‘The new staff-student relations policy follows extensive consultation across the university involving staff and student representatives, departments and colleges.
‘The views of the regulator, the Office for Students and Universities UK are also taken into account.
‘The policy significantly strengthens the existing approach.
‘From 1 July, intimate relationships between staff and students are prohibited where the staff member has any professional responsibility for that student, as defined in the policy.’
