Proper Relationships Policy — United States

Seminaries and Institutes of Religion • October 15, 2018

The following is reprinted from the policy manual:

You should ensure your actions are consistent with gospel standards and that you avoid the appearance of improper behavior. A friendly atmosphere can be fostered without a teacher or administrator trying to become a member of a student’s peer group in actions, dress, or vocabulary. The following guidelines are to be followed:

1. Never be alone with an individual student in a building, car, or other similar circumstance (unless the you are the student’s parent or legal guardian).

2. Maintain proper teacher and student relationships. Do not have secluded, lengthy, or frequent visits with individual students. Being alone with a student in a room or office without a window or open door is prohibited. Avoid giving undue attention to anyone in a way that could be misinterpreted or cause speculation or rumor.

3. Inappropriate physical contact with any student, parent, support specialist, or faculty member is strictly prohibited.

4. Any form of electronic communication by teachers (such as phone calls to student’s personal cell phones, emailing, texting, or instant messaging) with individual seminary students is prohibited. When electronic communication is necessary, it must be for professional use only and must be done through the student’s parents or legal guardian. Any email communication to parents should be done using Church communication systems (see “Technology Resources Use and Internet Communications,” in section 7).

Ensure the following:

Stake Seminary Programs (daily and home-study classes)

Two adults should always be present in the building or home where a seminary class is being taught. This may require calling a team teacher or assigning another responsible adult to be present, such as a student’s parent or guardian or the teacher’s spouse. The second adult should be the same sex as the teacher, unless that person is the teacher’s spouse.