return to: Academic Rights and Responsibilities

INSTRUCTOR-STUDENT CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Instructor-Student Conflict of Interest

In order to avoid conflict of interest, instructors are expected to refrain from entering into any relationship with a student which may compromise, or which may reasonably appear to compromise, the instructor's exercise of professional responsibility. It is the responsibility of instructors to notify their Department Chair (or Dean where no department structure exists) of any potential conflict of interest which may arise.

In order to avoid conflict of interest, the University normally will not permit students to enrol in courses that are taught by members of their immediate family. It is the responsibility of instructors, in such instances, to notify their Department Chair (or Dean where no department structure exists) of this or any other potential conflict of interest that may arise.

• Immediate family is defined as spouse, parent, in-law, brother, sister, son, daughter or stepchild of a member of faculty.
• An example of a potential conflict of interest is where the student is the client or patient of the instructor.

Exceptions to this policy may be granted only by the Dean of the Faculty in which the course is taught (including the Affiliated University Colleges); and when the course is a mandatory part of the student's program, as specified in the academic calendar; and when no alternative is available.

When exceptions are granted, the Dean will make the necessary arrangements for independent evaluation of student’s work.