‘University dons’ seek dates with students, 18, on Tinder

‘Explicit sexual preferences’

SENIOR Cambridge academics are messaging undergraduates as young as 18 on dating app Tinder, it was claimed yesterday.

A dozen profiles of men who purport to be employed by the university are approaching students on the app.

One don is reportedly a former college vice-master, while another who contacted two young undergraduates is a professor and visiting fellow.

The disturbing online behaviour has been exposed by Cambridge student newspaper, Varsity.

It says it has seen ‘overwhelming evidence’ that profiles presenting themselves as Cambridge academics are attempting to initiate relationships with undergraduates.

One Tinder profile by ‘Sam’ states he is an ‘Entrepreneur,

Professor and Designer at Cambridge’. He adds: ‘I’m the guy your mother warned you about.’

Others claiming to be staff state explicit sexual preferences, including ‘kinky’. The undergraduates they ‘matched’ with had their age and student status clearly visible in their profiles.

One anonymous Cambridge student, who has received contact from staff, said: ‘As a young female undergraduate, these men appear powerful and influential, a fact which they are clearly using to their advantage on dating apps. There is already a power imbalance – and they are exploiting it.’

Varsity stresses that although the accounts they investigated may be impersonating staff members, their profiles passed photo vetting procedures.

Cambridge policy does not explicitly forbid relationships between students and staff as long as they have no ‘professional connection’. Cambridge was contacted for comment.