Oxford University prohibits student-staff intimate relationships, to enforce regulation from April 17

The University of Oxford has decided to prohibitintimate relationships between members of staff and their students in a shift from its earlier stance, reported the BBC.

After reviewing the prior policy of "strongly discouraging" relationships, the institution will begin enforcing the new regulation from April 17.

Staff members will also be reminded not to create any other intimate personal ties which might be judged outside "professional conduct". Anyone who disobeys the policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, according to the policy.

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In the past, relationships between staff members and students were permitted and had to be declared toa line manager.

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By declaring that intimate relationships are banned, the university has joined organisations like University College London and the University of Nottingham.

The universityinformed the BBC that any current relationships would be handled by avoiding conflicts of interest.

This would entail that the institution would make sure no staff member received any responsibility for a student with whom they had a close or intimate relationship.

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The bancomes in response to demands for a prohibition on "inappropriate relationships" made by the anti-sexual assault group called It Happens Here, a student union at Oxford University.

Such relationships "raise issues relating to inequalities of power in a relationship, or perceived favouritism, or the undermining of trust in the academic process," according to the student group's warning two years ago, as reported by the Telegraph.

(With inputs from agencies)

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