Demands now to prevent student-tutor relationships

Dr Robert Alexander. Photo / Supplied

The University of Otago is to review its policy on sexual relationships between staff and students, after tutor Clayton Weatherston was convicted of the murder of student Sophie Elliott.

Such relationships are not banned by existing policy, but where the staff member has influence in the student's assessment and other decisions, the relationship must be declared to a supervisor.

Weatherston, a part-time lecturer and tutor, had complied by declaring his relationship with Sophie. He did not mark her exams.

The dead girl's mother called yesterday for the university to rethink the policy.

Lesley Elliott said: "He declared his relationship with Sophie so when Sophie told me about it and we talked about boundaries, she said 'Clayton knows all about that'. In light of what has happened to Sophie it does need to be reviewed."

Dr Robert Alexander, a colleague of Weatherston's and Sophie's supervisor, also expressed concerns.

"This guy had caused other trouble," he said. "If someone has caused trouble in a number of areas, I would have thought two and two could be put together.

"I don't think enough was done and I think this goes right to the top of the university."

The University of Otago requires that once a staff member discloses tutor-student sexual relationship, safeguards for the protection of all parties must be put in place. Those safeguards should be reviewed periodically.

Kevin Seales, the university's director of human resources, said the policy and process was "correctly followed".

"Clayton Weatherston's extreme actions are unparalleled and could not have been predicted," he said. "The policy is reviewed periodically and will be reviewed again in light of this case."

Peter Lambert, an economics professor at the University of Oregon who arranged for the publication of Sophie's academic paper, said US universities would never have allowed such a relationship.