Faculty Attitudes toward Consensual Sexual Relationships between Students and Faculty

• In Event: Posters II

Abstract

Even though consensual sexual relationships between students and faculty are common, there has been limited research examining those relationships and the attitudes about them, by either students or faculty. Given the power differential between these two parties, these relationships can potentially be inequitable or even destructive. Originally, a study assessing student attitudes on consensual sexual relationships between students and faculty on college campuses was conducted at a medium-sized, public university campus. Then, as a follow up, the same questions were asked of the faculty on that campus. Finally, the same questions were asked of a different set of faculty to assess these attitudes on a small-sized, private, religious college campus. This poster will discuss the similarities and differences between the two groups of faculty regarding what they find appropriate/inappropriate regarding this topic.

Authors

• Brandy Barenna Henderson, Tennessee Wesleyan College

• Courtney Crittenden, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

• Tammy Garland, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga