implies that the participating individuals are engaging in the relationship willingly and voluntarily at all times.
A “relationship” is any romantic, sexual, and/or emotionally intimate contact between or among individuals. Furthermore,
It may be of any duration, from a single incident or occurrence to a long-lasting partnership.
It may be either continuous or intermittent.
It is distinguishable from a friendship or acquaintanceship by its potential to move any person involved to abuse the power dynamics described above.
It is “consensual” if, at all times, the people involved are engaging in the relationship freely and voluntarily, without threat or coercion at any time.
Consistent with New York State law and University Policy 6.4, consent is affirmative and must be verified by all parties, not necessarily verbally.
