Athletic Department staff members are educators, here to enhance the student-athlete experience. Engaging in an “amorous relationship” creates a conflict of roles for a coach or staff member with risks for everyone involved, including the student- athlete, other members of the team and the University. Regardless of minor/adult status and age difference, the power differential makes these relationships inherently unequal and mutual consent becomes problematic. The coach or staff member is employed by an institution of higher education and consequently is expected first to be an educator. Athletic Department staff and student-athletes participating in a relationship denies that opportunity for both.
Additionally, all employees of the Athletic Department are subject to Regent Policy 14-8 on Consensual Relationships.