One wonders what could have been going through Monty Cook’s mind when, according to the dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, he pursued an amorous relationship with a student — especially as he took charge of a project funded by the largest grant in the history of the school.
But the silver lining of this ordeal is the transparency with which administrative decision making was carried out.
In the sunshine, the record seems clear that the best interests of the institution were upheld. Appropriately, it stands in stark contrast to the secrecy with which Cook himself acted.
There are several reasons why a lecturer should not engage in sexual communication with a student.
First, it violates a specific University policy regarding amorous relationships.
Second, it undermines the professional and impartial nature that should exist between students and teachers.
Third — and by far the most important — it is ethically abhorrent for a married man with children to engage in sexual communication with a student he was advising who herself is in a relationship.
Which is why swift action taken by Dean Jean Folkerts was justified. She indicated to Cook that she would push for termination, although he ultimately resigned.
What’s more, this information was publicly released pursuant to Chancellor Holden Thorp waiving the right to keep it concealed, “in order to maintain the integrity” of the school.
