Three detailed policies underpin CalArts standards and procedures under Title IX and those that concern sexual misconduct more broadly. Two of these policies were updated in August 2020, the same year the federal government amended the national Title IX rules.
Meanwhile, similar misconduct alleged to have happened before Aug. 14, 2020 will be addressed with the Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Misconduct Policy. Alleged discrimination or harassment based on protected class or status will be addressed by that policy, as well.
Prohibited relationships by persons in authority
Under the CalArts Sexual Misconduct Policy implemented Aug. 14, 2020, all faculty, staff, and administrators—including graduate teaching assistants—are banned from engaging in or pursuing amorous relationships with students they currently, or may in the future, instruct, mentor, evaluate or supervise. That list of forbidden conduct is detailed more fully in the policy.
The idea is to create and maintain a professional environment for education and work. The Institute views amorous relationships under the stated circumstances to be a breach of professional ethics. “Amorous relationships” in this context include dating and consensual sexual relationships.
CalArts questions the degree to which consensual intimacy on the part of a student can be voluntary—given the inherent power differential between such individuals. If a claim of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct emerges after what once may have been a consensual relationship, the consent will be assessed in light of the clear power differential.
Other relationships discouraged by the Institute include amorous relationships among supervisors and those who work under their supervision, plus relationships among supervisors and those who may be subject to their judgment in personnel actions. Again, this is not an all-encompassing compilation of discouraged relationships; for complete details, please refer to the policy.
