Ok, so here is what happened to my roommate. We were out at the local gay club, and he ended up going home with this hot older guy. They slept together, and the next morning figured out that he is a professor in the vet department of our large Big 10 school. My roommate is a Com Arts major. If someone finds out about this, can the vet prof get in trouble even though their departments have nothing to do with each other? The prof teaches about cat diseases to grad students. My roommate is in his last semester of his undergrad Com Arts degree. We don't want to get the guy in trouble, he's pretty nice. And my roommate wouldn't mind seeing him again....
2006-09-30 07:21:47 · 10 answers · asked by dani_kin 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Your friend is in no danger, but if someone in power (like the veterinary department chair, or an administrator) is a complete jerk, yes, the professor could get in trouble. The professor could get reprimanded (either formally or informally). Worse than that, especially if this professor does not have tenure, a colleague or an administrator could make his life a living hell.
It is also possible that his department chair would not really care, because, depending on your university's policies, there may have technically been no specific impropriety. If I were his department chair, if given information about the incident, I would wisely advise this professor to go to great lengths to avoid in the future any personal relationships with students at the university.
My advice to your friend is to contact the professor (by phone), and tell him that if there is any danger to the professor, he will be happy to refrain from getting in touch with him again until after he graduates, in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety. This will make your friend look like a nice and honorable guy, and might put the professor at ease, if indeed the situation is problematic for him.
It is also possible that the professor is not too concerned anyway, given the great distance between your friend's area of study and the prof's area of expertise. In other words, in the context of academia, their paths will never cross.
It's always best to be cautious, though, especially since you and your friend do not really know the professor's situation.
2006-09-30 11:02:51 · answer #1 · answered by X 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the University. Some operate under the rules that everyone at a college is an adult and can therefore make their own decisions. Others think it's a complete no-no. I don't think it's so ethically wrong. I mean, your roommate will NEVER have this man as a teacher, advisor, etc. He didn't go searching for a university professor to sleep with, he found out afterwards. I don't think either person did anything wrong and neither should have a reason to be punished.
2006-09-30 09:58:59 · answer #2 · answered by Mouth_of_da_South 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter that he's in a different department. He's a professor, your roommate is a student, they cannot have a public relationship...
If your roommate didn't know that he was a professor then it probably would have been okay...
2006-09-30 07:24:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your friend is of legal age. And the fact that he is in a different department means that he will have no edge over grading. He can get in trouble if the professor taught his class as it would be a conflict of interest. In this situaltion..It's perfectly okay.
2006-09-30 07:24:52 · answer #4 · answered by Mel and Ed 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your friend should focus on his last semester of school, then start seeing the prof after graduation. No sense getting the guy fired, or even just tainting his reputation, when it can easily be avoided.
2006-09-30 07:26:14 · answer #5 · answered by leezard 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, when your friend goes out with the professor AFTER her UNDERGRADUATE study is finished, then it will be ok, as long as she doesn't get the professor in one of her classes for GRADUATE school, then it's all good.
2006-09-30 07:52:59 · answer #6 · answered by DooodFromNowhere 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He just needs to be discreet, is all. There's not likely to be a problem, since they are not in the same department, as long as they don't rub their relationship in any old stuff shirt's nose.
2006-09-30 07:30:26 · answer #7 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will be 'frowned upon' but if they keep the relationship VERY low profile and he never lectures or tutors him then I don't see the problem especially since he's almost finished.
2006-09-30 07:26:34 · answer #8 · answered by Kailee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not think it is wise but that would be up to the professor he is the one with all of it to lose.
2006-09-30 07:25:26 · answer #9 · answered by liza 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All I can say is that he should never see him again, as to not further the damage already done.
2006-09-30 07:23:56 · answer #10 · answered by Greg S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋