Maintaining Respectful Boundaries 

While the development of romantic relationships between genuinely consenting adults can obviously be a positive event in appropriate circumstances, faculty and administrators, as individuals in authority, must recognize that the imbalance of power between themselves and students renders mutuality of consent in relationships with students problematic and raises potential conflicts of interest.

Further, when the authority and power inherent in administrative and faculty relationships to students is abused, whether overtly, implicitly, or through misinterpretation, there is potentially great damage to individual students, to the persons complained of, and to the educational climate of the institution.

For these reasons, Wesley Theological Seminary prohibits romantic or amorous relationships between faculty and students, and between administrators and students. For the same reasons, Wesley Theological Seminary also prohibits romantic or amorous relationships between students and learning partners, and between students and parishioners in the Practice in Ministry and Mission sites. Likewise, the seminary prohibits romantic or amorous relationships between supervisors and those whom they supervise (PMM Handbook, p. 82).

Please read Wesley's Sexual Harassment Policy in its entirety (pp. 82-83 in the PMM Handbook). In addition, please review Wesley's other important policies and covenants in Appendix F of the PMM Handbook.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED BOUNDARIES RESOURCES

Safe Sanctuaries:

Safe Sanctuaries:  General Board of Discipleship, UMC
Safe Sanctuaries:  Baltimore Washington Conference, UMC

FaithTrust Institute:

http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/resources/bibliographies/clergy-sexual-abuse

The PMM faculty and staff are available to advise and assist you with all aspects of the PMM program. The PMM office is located at Wesley's main campus in the Kresge building, office suite K-107. Please feel free to contact us.