Do the universities here in Switzerland ban student-professor relationships (sexual) like in the USA? And if so, could someone point me to a website/document. Thanks.

The university of Zurich has regulations to protect you from sexual harassment and since a professor could risk being accused of this if a relationship goes wrong, they are advised to keep their relations strictly professional. Furthermore, you could harm your academic standing as the relationship would become known sooner or later and any achievements you may have will more than likely be put down to you having an advantage through your relationship.

The only situation where I would see a possibility is that you are no longer a student of this professor, as I do know of some relationships with former students and this doesn't seem to cause more than a slightly snide comment.

There is no clear regulation like Yale has instituted but one appeals to "common sense" and discourages such relationships strongly. And since you are more than likely not the only person interested in the professor, acts of jealousy might jeopardise their career.

As Kittster says, no explicit ban I think at all Swiss Unis unless it's sexual harassment. If it's consensual, it's very strongly frowned upon and fraught with perils. Also, even if it isn't expressly banned, I can almost guarantee it will harm the student's career--whether the relationship flourishes or flounders.

Thank you for your responses.



I was really hoping that it would be like the USA.
I am neither the student nor the assistant professor.
I am the assistant professor's trailing wife nurturing his very young offsprings while he has the freedom to expand his horizons.

OMG

Stay strong, concentrate on the kids, they at least will never let you down.

All the best.

Alas, if both are 16+, there is no legal basis for any action.

Tom

Just believe in the power his love for you

You dont need forum help. You probably need a divorce lawyer

Hi Christina,

I'm sure it will be fine, I know of 2 Uni Professors in Zürich and both have been long happily married, one even has MS and struggles with walking.

Imagine how my girlfriend felt when I was working in the Maldives teaching girls in bikinis how to play golf all day long? Excuse the pun but it was a hard job!!

All the best

Stewart

well, my post got deleted once again for unclear reasons. Anyways

I AM getting married to mine meaning that it is NOT illegal here .

It is not fine. I am so upset and I have to be strong for the children. And as much as I want to pour my broken heart and sorrow here, I will refrain myself.

I have instead made a date with a therapist to clear my head.

Dear Christina,

My original post also got deleted, (possibly my last one will too), but the message was genuine. The 2 Professor guys are well and truly happily married

My girlfriend had so much jealousy for nearly 2 years as I was all day out in the sun teaching girls in bikinis, but we're still together and I am sure you will be too.

Kind regards

Stewart

Is your husband cheating or are you just affraid he will be? I don't get it.
I don't see any reason to do any differently than what Swiss law indicates. Just keep it a relationship issue, a mariage problem instead of thinking of ruining his carreer out of vengence and jalousy. Attack, sue, divorce when there are legal reasons for it, but deal with your strong feelings (which I can understand in given situation) on the level they deserve : personal, psychological and relational with your husband. Ruining carreer is definitly not helping anybody.

Yes, but it would be nice to ruin the students career before it gets started :-DD If your husband is involved with a student, he probably would be evenif it was illegal here.

To heck with remaining dignified. If you feel like yelling, swearing, throwing things, then do so. Don`t keep it all bottled up. There is plenty of time to be dignified in the future. By all means go to see a threrapist, but be prepared to see a lawyer as well. And be selfish.

Excellent. Wishing you luck, love and peace. May your husband see the value of his wife and family.

I agree totally. But consider my earlier note as a Plan B.

Regardless of the rules, he should not do something that upsets you. I'm sorry to hear he doesn't see it that way.

I really hope you could be patience and strong, and hopefully your husband would remain faithful to you

I guess it depends on the university, each university would has different rules. In mine it is totally not acceptable. There have been 2 staff that I know which were fired because of their relationships even though the staff were single and it was mutual. It's just ethically unacceptable, in my university that is.

I agree with Kittster: regardless what the rules might be, a professor having an affair with a student simply isn't ethical especially when he is married with children.

I wish you the very best of luck, and hope it all turns out for the best.