Is there any doubt?

[Skip]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=533&e=5&cid=533&u=/ap/20030422/ap_on_re_us/uc_dating_professors

BERKELEY, Calif. - University of California professors are contemplating a new question this spring: Does dating your student flunk the ethics test?

Man, if it doesn't, I've been blowing it for about 15 years now.

P.S. Lighting self on fire = bad idea too.

[Skip]

Oh shoot, that's right - I've been married going on 20 years now. Disregard my last post as the symptom of a midlife brain cramp. :)

It kills me that there is debate over an issue like this.

[Craig S.]

Skip, I'm with you. How could anyone ever consider this a "good" idea? Not only do I find it unethical, but also slightly creepy.

[TimmyB]

Originally posted by Skip
P.S. Lighting self on fire = bad idea too.

That's the question for the fall semester... ;)

[KCBOOMER]

Berkeley walks to its own drummer. They truly give meaning to the phrase: "Hell hath no fury like a liberal scorned".

[JamesI]

Well, I have a few other TA's here who would approve (of course they're 23 and the students are 18-20 so its not as bad).

Of course its unethical!

[gyb13]

the TA-student thing is quite common....here's a (possible) hypothetical question:

a grad student is dating an undergrad.... AFTER their relationship begins, it so happens that the undergrad student is taking a course in which the grad student is a TA. What should be done?

[Skip]

cut the TA's pay in half (again). See who wins then - the job or the significant other. :)

[satchel]

Originally posted by KCBOOMER
Berkeley walks to its own drummer. They truly give meaning to the phrase: "Hell hath no fury like a liberal scorned".

folks, please keep the political jabs to yourselves, okay?

As to the topic, if you read the article, it says that the school is deciding whether to expressly ban relationships between students and teachers, as opposed to having no express policy at all.

It's hard to imagine any school having a policy that condones such relationships, and Berkeley is not considering doing so.

[Skip]

Originally posted by satchel
As to the topic, if you read the article, it says that the school is deciding whether to expressly ban relationships between students and teachers, as opposed to having no express policy at all.

It's hard to imagine any school having a policy that condones such relationships, and Berkeley is not considering doing so. satchel, I read the article and I am not obtuse. My basic question is: Regardless of formal policy, what right-thinking teacher would do such a thing? Don't play lawyer games on a fairly straightforward question of right and wrong. We can use an article to trigger discussion on an issue without the article itself having to be 100% indicative of one side or the other.

[JamesI]

Originally posted by gyb13
the TA-student thing is quite common....here's a (possible) hypothetical question:

a grad student is dating an undergrad.... AFTER their relationship begins, it so happens that the undergrad student is taking a course in which the grad student is a TA. What should be done?

good question, but for the appearance of propriety, the TA shoudl be transfered to another class.

[satchel]

Originally posted by Skip
satchel, I read the article and I am not obtuse. My basic question is: Regardless of formal policy, what right-thinking teacher would do such a thing? Don't play lawyer games on a fairly straightforward question of right and wrong. We can use an article to trigger discussion on an issue without the article itself having to be 100% indicative of one side or the other.

I never said you were obtuse, and I wasn't playing "lawyer games" (whatever the hell that means). You might have intended the thread to treat the "issue" thoughtfully but I don't think the thread was doing so at that point. Did you?

As to the issue: professors will always have relationships with students, and no amount of policy, written or otherwise, will stop it. I don't think it's a good idea, and because of the power dynamic involved it's really up to the professor to see to it that it doesn't happen.

Unfortunately, not everyone is up to that task. Some are likely just plain unethical, and enjoy the power rush and feeling like their peons are undividedly devoted to them, body and mind. Others undoubtedly don't intend to exploit anyone, but rather think their feelings are pure enough to justify an exception to the general moral rule that we all agree applies.

Obviously, in either case, a moral wrong has been done to the student involved, because where such power dynamics are involved it's doubtful that consent can really be given. The latter cases, though, are more sad than outrageous, because someone who is genuinely in love will end up on the receiving end of moral opprobrium and possibly disciplinary action.

[Ytown Tribe fan]

Next thing you know, they'll want to ban Presidents from having sex with interns.

What a world! :rolleyes:

[gyb13]

ytown - :loud:

extend this to any work environment - what about co-workers in a firm? what about a boss and any employee?