Profs who date students form club

Cases like former Assistant English Professor Malcolm Woodfield's sexual harassment charges may not be as rare as many at the University would like to think. Professors and students nationwide who believe they should be allowed to have intimate relationships are coming together in a new group -- CASE, or Consenting Academics for Sexual Equity. Barry Dank, a sociology professor at California State University at Long Beach, founded the group --which is "committed to the principle of consent regarding intimate relationships" -- on the Internet. "We regard it as an inappropriate intrusion for universities to ban consenting intimate relationships between students and professors," Dank said in an Internet post. He added in an interview that many problems arise because of the false perception that asymmetrical relationships -- where one partner is in an inherently higher power position than the other -- cannot be consensual because the subordinate person loses the ability to give consent. "What we're concerned about is people who say the professor who is dating a student?has abused the student," Dank said, adding that this type of thinking also labels the professor as a "predatory lecher" and the adult student as the "innocent victim." While CASE does not believe that universities should prohibit any type of asymmetrical relationships, many members believe professors should not date students who are in their classes. "It's just really difficult to be in that situation because of the conflict of interest, because of any kind of favoritism that might be present," said Leslie Cole, a graduate student at the University of Southern California who dated a professor when she was an undergraduate student. "I would have a lot of problems with that." Phillip Gay, a sociology professor at San Diego State University, said he thinks the power advantage in an asymmetrical relationship actually shifts if professors date their own students. "It seems to me that once a professor becomes involved in a relationship with the student, the power shifts to the student because the student is in the position to make all kinds of accusations," he said. "You don't have power over a student once they're not in your class -- then you're just talking about another individual." Cole said universities should simply acknowledge that intimate relationships will occur between consenting adults. "In any environment in which you spend a great deal of time, intimate relationships do occur," she said. "CASE is about consensual relationships and the freedom to decide. "If you are over 18 you are an adult in this country," she added. "You should be able to make the decision as to whom you are going to have a relationship with." CASE also rejects the concept that consenting adult sexual relationships can be called "sexual harassment" by others, according to Dank's Internet post. Sexual harassment cannot occur unless the activity is unwanted, he added. At the University, Woodfield recently resigned amidst allegations of sexual harassment when he engaged in sexual activities with former student Lisa Topol. Dank, who has never spoken with Woodfield, said he was opposed to the way the University handled the case. "The University of Pennsylvania really didn't want to explore the ethical ramifications of the Woodfield case," he said. "This is typical of many academics -- they simply state it is unethical and then go on to another subject." Professors or students who are interested in joining CASE should call (310)985-4236, or e-mail CASE at CASE@beach1.csulb.edu on the Internet.