Staff and Students Relationships Policy

On 1 July 2024, a new policy on staff and student relationships came into effect at the University. Professor Kamal Munir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement, introduces the policy and explains the reasons for it.

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Dear colleagues,  

This new policy significantly strengthens the University’s stance on relationships between students and staff. Under the new policy, an intimate relationship between a student and any member of staff who has academic, pastoral or other professional responsibility for that student is prohibited. Close personal relationships – that is, relationships that are not intimate but could reasonably be viewed as going beyond the boundaries of professional conduct – are discouraged, and must be disclosed where there is academic or other professional responsibility.  

We are introducing this policy for several reasons. Our first concern is to look after our students. Intimate or close personal relationships between students and staff can cause significant problems – harming students’ welfare, hindering their learning and undermining confidence in the academic process – because of the imbalance of power and authority in the relationship. By placing tighter restrictions on such relationships where the staff member has any kind of professional responsibility for the student, we are seeking to protect both parties from serious harm, as well as from accusations of unfairness, bias, exploitation or conflict of interest. 

Many other universities across the UK have enacted similar policies in recent years, responding to concerns raised by students and by the Office for Students, the regulator. Our policy has been developed in a measured and careful way, attentive to the unique culture of the University and in consultation with students, staff, Colleges, trades unions and academic leaders.  

This is not an attempt to restrict all the different and rich informal interactions between students and staff that are such an important part of studying at Cambridge. Community and connection are part of what makes the University such a stimulating place to study, and the majority of informal contact between students and staff is positive.  

What the policy and its accompanying guidance do is to set out clearly what is not acceptable – intimate relationships where a staff member has any kind of professional responsibility for a student – and to set clear parameters for what kinds of relationships need to be disclosed. The guidance also encourages staff members to consider carefully the choices they make when interacting with students, particularly in social or informal settings, to ensure that relationships remain appropriate, professional and supportive.  

This is for everybody’s benefit. Students should be able to study in an environment free from harassment, intimidation, abuses of power or sexual misconduct. Staff should be able to work in the confidence that, by setting appropriate boundaries, they are enabling the best outcomes for their students and protecting themselves from accusations of misconduct, exploitation or conflict of interest. 

I commend the policy and the associated guidance to all members of staff.  

Professor Kamal Munir 
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement  

At a glance - key points from the new Staff and Students Relationships Policy

• Under the revised Staff and Students Relationships Policy, intimate relationships between staff and students for whom they have a professional responsibility are prohibited.
• Close personal relationships (that is, relationships that are not intimate, but that go beyond the boundaries of professional conduct, or may reasonably be perceived to do so) between staff and students for whom they have a professional responsibility, are strongly discouraged. Where these exist or arise, they must be disclosed to the Head of Institution so that an assessment can be made of any potential conflict of interest and influence.
• Failure to comply with this policy will be considered a disciplinary matter.