Chapter 6 - Faculty Policies and Standards

6.7 Policy on Employment of Relatives

6.7.1 Policy

The basic criteria for appointment and promotion of all college faculty, staff, and student employees shall be appropriate qualifications and performance. Relationship to another individual employed by the college shall not constitute an advantage for appointment, promotion, retention, salary or leave of absence granted by the college.

6.7.2 Regulations

1. No employee shall be assigned to a division or department under the direct supervision or control of a relative.
2. Faculty and staff members will not be placed in a supervisory role over members of their family nor shall individuals be appointed into positions that result in a supervisory relation with a relative herein defined.
3. Faculty and staff members should neither initiate nor participate in institutional decisions involving a benefit to members of their families (i.e., initial appointment, retention, promotion, salary, leave of absence, etc.).
4. Employment of relatives in the same department or under the same supervisor is presumed to be unacceptable and may be authorized only with the prior written approval of the president.

6.7.3 Definition

Relative is defined as spouse, daughter, son, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew (or the spouse of any of these) of either the staff member or the staff member's spouse, or any other related person or non-related person who is part of the staff member's household.

6.7.4 Exceptions to the Policy

When the president determines that it would be in the best interest of the college, the president may approve individual exceptions to this policy for persons who are relatives, but only when:

• The interests of other employees are not prejudiced by the exception, and
• All recommendations or decisions made by one relative about the other relative are subject to review and approval either by an unrelated supervisor or by another college employee designated to perform this function.

Employees as of January 1, 1997, are hereby granted a blanket exception under Section 6.7.2, Number 4.

Any approval of an exception shall be documented in writing and shall specify the reasons for the exception.