Nassau Hall Faculty Room

Princeton updates its policy regarding sexual and romantic relationships between faculty and graduate students

By the Office of Communications on April 1, 2019, 8:10 p.m.
Photo by
Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

Princeton University has strengthened its policy regarding sexual and romantic relationships between faculty and graduate students. 

During the Faculty Meeting on Monday, April 1, faculty voted to approve a policy that prohibits all faculty from initiating or engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with graduate students. Previously, faculty were prohibited only from initiating or engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with graduate students over whom they had advising, instruction or supervisory responsibilities. The new policy includes exemptions for pre-existing relationships.

"This is an important step in ensuring that we create a safe, respectful and equitable learning environment for everyone on campus," Dean of the Faculty Sanjeev Kulkarni said in an email to faculty. 

Existing University policy already prohibits all romantic or sexual relationships between faculty and undergraduates. 

“It is important to note that this prohibition, and therefore any disciplinary consequences, fall entirely on the faculty. That is, this policy change will not result in any disciplinary consequences for graduate students,” Dean of the Graduate School Sarah-Jane Leslie said in a statement emailed to graduate students. 

The policy changes were put forth by the Faculty Advisory Committee on Policy, following recommendations from the Faculty-Student Committee on Sexual Misconduct. The complete revised policy is available under "Rules and Procedures of the Faculty" on the Dean of the Faculty website. 

Related Stories

Update on Princeton University Sexual Misconduct Policies, Resources, and the Title IX Process .

Over the past several days, Princeton University students have raised concerns around the University’s current sexual misconduct investigation and adjudication processes. The University respects and benefits from student perspectives on how these important issues are handled. Input from the community is critical to our efforts to maintain a safe, supportive and fair environment on campus that is free from sexual misconduct and all forms of discrimination.  

President, dean of faculty charge committee to review rules governing faculty sexual misconduct .

President Christopher L. Eisgruber and Dean of the Faculty Sanjeev Kulkarni have asked the Faculty Advisory Committee on Policy (FACP) to act upon a report from a faculty-student committee that recommends reforms to rules governing sexual misconduct by faculty members.

Questions about Title IX at Princeton? Find info on resources, policies, programs here .

Princeton University has engaged in ongoing and proactive efforts to enhance the effectiveness of our policies and procedures related to Title IX. We also have continued to expand the scope of our resources, as well as our educational and programming initiatives.

Joint Committee meets to reaffirm commitment to address student concerns and provide support .

Representatives from the Faculty-Student Committee on Sexual Misconduct and the University Student Life Committee heard on Monday from student activists who have raised concerns over Title IX and related issues. Earlier in the day, senior University officials sent a letter to all Princeton undergraduate and graduate students acknowledging the complexity of these issues and noted input from the community is critical to our efforts to maintain a safe, supportive and fair environment.  

University releases Title IX reports and announces next steps to strengthen process .

Princeton University released two new reports and announced next steps to further strengthen its policies, resources and communications related to sexual misconduct on campus. In a letter to the campus community, Provost Deborah Prentice underscored the University’s commitment to supporting all members of the Princeton community. 

Faculty committee recommends changes in sexual misconduct policies, procedures .

The Faculty Advisory Committee on Policy, an elected committee that also serves as the faculty membership of the executive committee of the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC), is recommending changes in the University's policies and procedures for addressing issues related to sexual misconduct. 

Joint Committee updates community on next steps to address student concerns regarding Title IX .

On Wednesday, May 15, the Faculty-Student Committee on Sexual Misconduct and the University Student Life Committee issued a statement outlining their next steps following a joint committee meeting on Monday with students concerned about the handling of sexual misconduct issues on campus.