Courses Taught by Relatives

HUC-JIR faculty are strongly advised to dissuade family members from enrolling in their courses when other options are available (for example, a different section of the same course taught by a colleague or taught by a different faculty member in another semester or taught by a faculty member on another campus).

This policy also applies to cases where a family member would be the student’s academic advisor, field work supervisor, clinical mentor, spiritual director, or other similar role. Other arrangements should be made in these cases.

However, when specialized courses are taught by a relative and the relative is the sole specialist in that area at HUC-JIR, taking a course with a relative may be the only reasonable option for a student to pursue their academic program. In this case, it is incumbent upon the faculty member to avoid favoritism and the appearance of favoritism. Faculty members must inform their Program Director when a relative enrolls in one of their courses. In turn, Program Directors must alert the Provost. If the instructor is the Program Director, the instructor should inform the Provost.

HUC-JIR students are not permitted to take courses taught by a faculty member who is their close relative by blood or marriage without the permission of the Provost. A student is also advised to avoid registering for a course taught by a faculty member with whom they have a close personal relationship.

The student may be granted the Provost’s permission only if:

It is clearly demonstrable that there is no other course selection that will meet the student’s academic needs.
The Program Director submits an alternative plan for evaluating the student’s work. One such example would be to have another faculty member serve as a second reader for exams and papers submitted by the student. If the student’s academic program requires the course, the student and the faculty member must consult with the Program Director to prepare the plan. The Program Director will submit this plan to the Provost for consideration and approval.
Program Directors will caution students regarding the policy and report any concerns to the Provost. If a situation involving nepotism is discovered and the Provost’s approval has not been obtained in advance of the beginning of the course, the Provost may direct that the student be withdrawn from the course. If the discovery is made after the conclusion of the semester, the student will be brought before a student tenure committee. If the student is deemed to have knowingly violated the policy, the Committee may determine that no credit will be awarded for the course. The faculty member involved will be referred to the Program Director for resolution of the matter.
In no case does HUC-JIR allow a parent/relative faculty member to undertake an independent study with their child, spouse, or other close relative.
“Relatives” are defined as spouses/partners, parents, siblings and their spouses, children, stepparents, stepchildren, domestic partners, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, first cousins, nephews, nieces and their spouses, and in-laws, plus roommates and other persons with whom the student may have economic and emotional ties.