Student/Employee Non-Fraternization 

The policy is created to define and maintain the professional and ethical environment expected at ACC, to prevent conflicts of interest and favoritism, and ensure that students can be evaluated fairly. Employees of ACC are prohibited, under any circumstances, to date or engage in any fraternization, socialization or undue familiarity with students outside of the formal confines of providing the education program, regardless of the student’s age and/or regardless of whether the student may have “consented” to such conduct. Further, employees may not entertain students or socialize with students outside of the College environment. Similarly, any action or comment by an employee that invites romantic or sexual involvement with a student is considered highly unethical, in violation of College policy, and may result in disciplinary action by the College, up to and including termination of employment.

Inappropriate employee behavior that would be considered a violation of this policy includes, but is not limited to the following:

• providing personal contact information (such as phone number, email, social media contacts or connecting on social media);
• frequent personal communication with a student unrelated to course work or official College matters using either ACC platforms (such as Remind or Teams) or external resources (via phone, e-mail, letters, notes, text messaging, social media, etc.);
• giving or accepting transportation or rides;
• giving or offering housing;
• selling or buying anything, even of nominal value;
• giving or accepting inappropriate personal gifts;
• flirting or making suggestive comments;
• dating or making social plans;
• physical displays of affection or inappropriate touching;
• requests for sexual activity, or engaging in sexual contact and/or relations;
• providing alcohol or drugs to students.

We also expect that our students will behave in a professional manner towards faculty and staff and will respect and follow the same guidelines that are outlined here for employees. If a student is subject to, witnesses or has knowledge  of an instructor’s or associate’s participation in an inappropriate relationship with a student, we ask that the information be reported to the Campus Executive Director, Campus Dean, or the Ethics Hotline immediately. Both students and employees have an obligation to report known or suspected violations of this policy. Reports will be reviewed and, when appropriate, addressed under this policy, the Title IX policy or any other applicable ACC policy.