Athletic training students and preprofessional students have a responsibility to promote professional development and to ensure the patients they serve receive the highest quality of care. There are times when personal relationships can impinge on these two responsibilities. Therefore:
- Dating relationships among student athletes/patients and athletic training students and preprofessional students are discouraged as this might be viewed as creating a conflict of interest. If a dating relationship should develop, the athletic training student or the preprofessional student is asked to notify the head athletic trainer, program director, or clinical education coordinator immediately. The student will be accommodated with a clinical education/observation assignment that does not put them in the chain of care for their partner. It is recommended the student establish clear distinctions and boundaries with their partner so that the professional environment can be maintained.
- Casual sexual relationships must be strictly avoided. If such relationships develop and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletic Training Program (UNL ATP) faculty or preceptors become aware of the relationship, the athletic training student or preprofessional student will be removed from the chain of care of the athlete. If the head athletic trainer, program director, and clinical education coordinator believe that professional environment cannot be maintained despite the transfer, the campus Title IX coordinator will be consulted and removal of the student from the program will be discussed.
- Casual friendships, working in study groups, and other personal relationships with student athletes are acceptable as long as the student athlete receives no additional benefits as defined by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
- Dating relationships with UNL ATP preceptors and associated staff is not acceptable and violates university ethics guidelines for the staff. Developing personal friendships and professional mentoring relationships is anticipated and encouraged.
- Personal friendships among athletic training students and preprofessional students is expected and the occasional development of dating relationships are anticipated. There are no restrictions on these types of relationships as long as a professional environment can be maintained. If there is conflict between athletic training students and/or preprofessional students, it is expected the parties will work out the differences among themselves or with the assistance of their assigned preceptor.