Home > II. Community Policies > Ch.5 - Consensual Relationships Involving Students

5.6 Confidentiality

  1. In order to encourage instructors to self-disclose consensual relationships prohibited under this policy and to empower members of the university community to voice concerns and bring complaints, the university will make every reasonable effort to conduct all proceedings in a manner that will protect the confidentiality of all parties. The University of Iowa cannot guarantee confidentiality in all cases, however.
  2. Anyone (student or others) who wishes to consult with someone about a specific situation on a confidential basis or to learn more about enforcement of the policy may contact any of the following offices or organizations:
    1. Office of the Ombudsperson (for faculty, staff, or students), 308 Jefferson Building;
    2. Employee Assistance Program (for faculty or staff), 121-50 University Services Building;
    3. University Counseling Service (for students), 3223 Westlawn;
    4. Women's Resource and Action Center (for faculty, staff, or students), Bowman House.
  3. The university treats as confidential information received in the course of resolving a complaint. Parties to a complaint are expected to observe the same standard of strict confidentiality. This practice is in the best interests of all parties to the complaint. A party's failure to maintain confidentiality may be regarded as retaliation. Reasonable effort will be made to maintain the confidentiality of the persons who assist the resolution of alleged violations of this policy. Nevertheless, such individuals must understand that it may become necessary to disclose their identities, either directly or indirectly, in the course of resolving the complaint.

    Dissemination of documents relating to a complaint, other than as necessary to pursue an appeal, grievance, or other legal or administrative proceeding, is prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action.
  4. To the extent possible, all information received in connection with a management plan will be treated as confidential except to the extent necessary to disclose particulars in the course of its planning and/or implementation, as approved according to II-5.5c(4) above. All community members involved in the management plan process should observe the same standard of discretion and respect for the reputation of everyone involved.

(See also II-4 Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct.)