Staff-student relationships bring controversy to University

A university has been forced to re-evaluate its student-staff relationship policy after two recent controversial incidents involving teachers and their students. Southampton Solent University was forced to sack one of the lecturers in question after a student brought their relationship to the attention of the university. The student feared discrimination after the relationship ended and she learned that the lecturer would have been marking her exam papers. The university confirmed that the teacher was not employed by them furthermore in the wake of the incident.

This happened after another incident involving staff had also brought controversy to the university. Paul Kavanagh, a lecturer in law, was last year convicted of harassing a criminology student by bombarding her with text messages and e-mails, having been instructed by the police to leave the student alone. Mr Kavanagh, who wasn’t even teaching the student, appealed against the conviction and his lawyer had claimed this client was only trying to make the student feel comfortable after the end of their relationship.

Mr Kavanagh now has a restraining order placed upon him that prevents him from contacting the student but he is still allowed on the university campus, though not in a teaching role at present. Mr Kavanagh had a previous police caution for harassing another woman before this incident and the student moved to criticise the university’s handling of the tense situation.

"The university seemed to be more interested in protecting (Mr Kavanagh's) rights as an employee than protecting me from him." She said, whilst also claiming that she intentionally did not appear on campus unless it was vitally necessary in her final year so that she could avoid Mr Kavanagh.

A spokeswoman from Southampton Solent said that they were proceeding with an internal review of the case. "Paul Kavanagh is suspended from all teaching duties," she said. "Southampton Solent University places great importance on the professional integrity of its employees and has recognised a need to review its policy covering staff-student relationships to safeguard all parties.

She added, "An updated draft policy includes clarified guidance on circumstances when disclosure is required, together with more stringent arrangements to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.”

(Ukstudentnews.co.uk, 2009)