Policies & Procedures

Policy: 7413

It is the intent of this policy to avoid any situation where there can arise the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Members of the same family or household may be selected for faculty and staff positions when it has been determined that they are qualified for the position and their selection does not conflict with the provisions of this policy, but they may not be employed within the same division, department or program.  Additionally, the College will not employ two or more persons concurrently who are closely related regardless of whether they are residing in the same household in positions which would result in one person of such a relationship supervising another closely related person or having a substantial influence over employment, salary or wages, evaluation, or other management or personnel actions pertaining to a close relative.

For the purpose of this policy, “closely related” is defined to mean spouse; domestic partner; mother; father; sister; brother; biological, adopted, or foster child; stepchild; legal ward; grandparent, grandchild; first cousin; aunt; uncle; niece; nephew; mother-in-law; father-in-law, sister-in-law; brother-in-law; daughter-in-law; son-in-law; grandparent-in-law; grandchild-in-law; or corresponding relatives of the employee’s domestic partner; other persons for whom the employee is legally responsible; and anyone who stood in loco parentis (acting in place of a parent and assuming the parent’s rights, duties, and responsibilities) to the employee as a child.

Closely related persons or individuals residing in the same household will not be permitted to serve on the same search committee. Employees will be excluded from searches that could consider the candidacy of a closely related person or individual residing in the same household.

No one will be released from present employment at the College solely because of a conflicting relationship, who has been regularly employed by the Board prior to the inception of the relationship, the adoption of this policy, or a Board of Trustee’s appointment. However, after September 16, 2026, if employees become family or household members or establish an amorous relationship, then either one of the employees will transfer to a suitable position within the College, be assigned job duties to minimize problems of supervision, safety, security, or morale, or resign from the College.

References:

Rowan College of South Jersey Administrative Procedure, 7413 Nepotism