This policy requires that university employees disclose consensual relationships and take steps to mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest arising from such relationships.
All University of Oregon employees, officials and agents.
Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost: (541) 346-3186, provost@uoregon.edu
24-October-2024 Revisions enacted by the University President and policy renumbered.
01-July-2015 Became a UO policy by operation of law.
09-September-2005 Adopted by the SBHE.
The University of Oregon is committed to maintaining an inclusive and empowering learning and work environment free from conflicts of interest, impropriety, and favoritism. Consistent with that commitment, the university recognizes the potential conflict of interest that occurs when romantic or sexual relationships develop in which there is an inherent power differential between the parties to the relationship. Accordingly, whenever such potential conflict occurs, any employee involved in such a relationship has a duty to disclose the relationship and to cooperate in institutional efforts to prevent an actual conflict.
In particular, employees involved in romantic or sexual relationships with other employees in their unit or with whom there exists any form of supervisory or evaluative responsibility must:
1. Report the relationship to a higher-level administrator in the chain of command or hiring official; and
2. Cooperate in actions taken to eliminate any actual or potential conflict of interest resulting from the relationship, and to mitigate effects on third parties.
The administrator who receives the report shall treat the information confidentially and shall work to eliminate conflicts of interest, including without limitation by transferring one of the individuals to another position, by transferring supervisory or evaluative responsibilities, or by providing an additional layer of oversight to the role. The administrator is encouraged to consult with University Human Resources and should document the steps taken.
If there is any doubt whether a relationship falls within this Policy, individuals should disclose the facts of the relationship and seek guidance rather than fail to disclose the relationship.
Retaliation against persons who report concerns about consensual relationships is prohibited and constitutes a violation of this Policy.
Those resolving actual or potential conflicts of interest resulting from consensual relationships or responding to concerns regarding consensual relationships must have the training and knowledge necessary to fulfill their responsibilities. The university shall periodically assess the effectiveness of their notification and training processes.