Can faculty members invite students to their homes?

Too often undergraduates overlook the importance of establishing close professional relationship with faculty members. Such a relationship can be an important component of a student's academic (undergraduate & graduate) and professional careers. Most students find that they will learn as much about the subject through informal contacts as in class; therefore, the college encourages its students to pursue professional academic relationships with their instructors. Faculty members may encourage and cultivate these relationships by inviting students to visit during office hours and engaging them when they arrive. In addition to enriching and furthering their academic careers, faculty are encouraged to alert their students to employment opportunities.

In addition to on-campus contacts, faculty members can initiate off-campus meetings with students. For example, an instructor can invite a class to his/her home for dinner to discuss a topic of interest to the class or organize an informal field trip to a local tourist attraction (e.g., the Capitol, National Gallery of Art, Holocaust Museum, National Aquarium and so forth). These activities generate excitement and stimulate student interest in the subject.

Faculty members should indicate that these activities are voluntary and that not participating will not affect a student's grade. The entire class should be invited to the activity, rather than specific students. Selecting a few students suggests favoritism and in some cases has been interpreted as a form of sexual harassment. To avoid such allegations, invite the entire class.