HESC believes: 

1. UCU should support clear, evidence based policy to prevent abuses of power in HE, which must account for intersectional power relations 
2. Clarity on staff-student relationships protects both staff and students

HESC notes:

1. Regulatory requirements on harassment and sexual misconduct in effect in England from August 2025 
2. most students are uncomfortable with staff student relationships

HESC resolves to: 

1. Consult with UCU’s Equalities Standing Committees and Anti-Casualisation Committee, NUS, 1752 Group, and other relevant specialist and survivor organisations
2. Call branches to:
   1. work with employers and students’ unions, drawing on peer-reviewed research to develop professional boundaries between staff and students 
   1. seek policies to prohibit staff from entering intimate relationships with students for whom they have current or potential teaching, learning, or pastoral responsibilities, including:
      1. Comprehensive, intersectional training and awareness raising on professional boundaries and preventing sexual harassment across academic hierarchies (including between staff) 
      1. Development of training for staff handling disclosures.

Numbering is wrong on this website version. See minutes for correct numbering. Members of the branch resolved at the ordinary general meeting 11 March 2025 to submit this motion from the branch to UCU higher education sector conference 2025. The text is subject to approval of the minutes of that meeting. The motion was proposed by Vicky Blake and Tom Haines-Doran, moved by Vicky Blake and seconded by Tom Haines-Doran.

This page was last updated on 11 March 2025