14 DAY TRIAL // Alabama State University decided to reinforce internal rules in the matter of its staff's intimate relations and made their president Gwendolyn Boyd sign a contract forbidding her from having romantic relations in her residence until she is married.
The contract stated that as long as she stays single, Ms. Boyd may not bring dates or boyfriends into her home, being required to “preserve the campus spirit.” The University offers her $300,000 (€220,000) per year, a car and a residence as long as she fulfills the terms of agreement.
The new president will begin working at the university from February 1, and admitted to not being bothered by the campus rule. Alumni of Alabama State University, Ms. Boyd had no problems signing the contract prohibiting co-habitation until marriage.
“For so long as Dr. Boyd is President and a single person, she shall not be allowed to co-habitate in the President's residence with any person with whom she has a romantic relationship,” the contract reads, according to Daily Mail.
The stipulations sparked quite the debate regarding the infringement of liberties that the University may be stepping upon by putting restrictions upon a person's residence, either in the state's possession or not. Critics have accused the institutions of trying to dictate a person's romantic life and of imposing sketchy restrictions.
University spokesmen responded by assuring critics that the contract was agreed upon by both parties and that none of them has an issue with its restrictions. Even if it is a bit uncommon, the restrictions are meant to ensure the integrity and respect needed by the institution's employees.
The president of an educational institution is a role model and the face of the university and certain behavior is absolutely unacceptable, the only thing the contract does is to officiate the terms and guidelines in which the face of the institution must behave while working there.
It is not like the University hasn't been involved in various controversies over the years, the higher education institution was audited for services that were not delivered and also for different payments made to family and friends of the board members.