A Title IX No Communication Order is a University order which provides that two parties may not have any communication with each other in-person or through another party, by telephone, letter, e-mail, or other electronic media, or by any other means, including via social media, for a specified period of time. This applies on-campus and in the local vicinity, at University-sponsored events, and/or by electronic communication (from any location). If a party is unsure whether a particular type of communication is permitted, they should contact the administrator who issued the Title IX No Communication Order. These orders help to ensure an environment in which individuals can focus on and pursue their education and/or work. If a party is unsure whether a particular type of communication is permitted, they should contact the administrator who issued the Title IX No Communication Order.

Below are non-exhaustive examples of communication that is not permitted when there is a Title IX No Communication Order in place:

• One party may not walk up to the other party and begin speaking directly to them, regardless of content or tone.
   
• Parties may not have a friend communicate with the other party on their behalf (e.g., “Can you tell X that I said…?” or “Can you ask X if… ”). 
   
• A party may not respond or comment on the other party’s social media post (including using emotive icons, emojis or other digital images). If the parties are in the same group text/messaging group, they may continue to participate in the text/messaging, but they may not respond (including by using emotive icons, emojis or other digital images) to the other party’s message.
   
• A party may not text, message through any social media app, and/or call the other party for any reason, including from a blocked number or someone else’s device/account.
   
• A party may not make a comment directed at the other party in a listserv.
   
• A party may not send a request to the other party to follow them on social media.

If parties are in the same class, they may both participate in discussion boards for the class. If direct communication between students is required for a class, students should reach out to the administrator who issued the Title IX No Contact Order to seek guidance and/or assistance.   

See Appendix 1 for a sample Title IX No Communication Order.

A Title IX mutual No Contact Order (which includes a no communication directive) is a University Order which imposes limits on the locations where two members of the University community (students, staff, or faculty) may be present in order to limit them from being in the same location. These orders help to ensure an environment in which individuals can focus on and pursue their education and/or work.   

Title IX No Contact Orders do not ensure that parties to such Orders will not see one another on the campus, but they serve to limit potential interactions between the parties. If individuals have safety concerns and feel that they need additional protection (for example, through a temporary restraining order), they should contact the Department of Public Safety at 609-258-1000 for more information.

Below are non-exhaustive examples of contact that is permitted when there is a Title IX mutual No Contact Order in place:

• Both parties may attend the same class, though they may request to not be assigned to do group work together. Both parties should make a concerted effort not to sit near the other party. For example, if there is a large lecture hall and one party is sitting in the front on the left side of the lecture hall, the other person should attempt to sit in a different area of the lecture hall (e.g., in the back, in the front on the right side, etc.).  If it is a smaller classroom, the parties should seek to sit as far apart as possible (for example, in the farthest available open seat).
   
• Both parties may attend the same lectures or events of student organizations in which they both are members. They should make a concerted effort to avoid close proximity to the other party. 

Please note that for certain community events held in large venues where significant distance can be maintained, both parties to a Title IX mutual No Contact Order typically may attend, provided that both parties avoid close proximity to one another. Examples of such events may include: large events occurring in outside areas, in large concert venues, in the University Chapel, or in large athletic venues, including the USG Concert held during Lawn Parties, Commencement events, and activities in Reunions tents.

Below are non-exhaustive examples of conduct that is not permitted when there is a Title IX mutual No Contact Order in place:

• Studying in the same section of the library as the other party (the second party to arrive would need to leave);
   
• Attending the same social gathering on or off campus (the second party to arrive would need to leave);
   
• Standing next to the other party in line at a food servery (although both parties may be present in the food servery as long as they do not sit in the same dining hall);
   
• Exercising in the same room as the other party at Stephens Fitness Center (e.g., cardio room) (the second party to arrive would need to leave).

In making determinations regarding whether the Title IX mutual No Contact Order was violated, the disciplinary body will consider the context of the interaction, whether the other party reasonably ought to have known that the other party was present, the level of proximity, the venue, etc. 

Please note that the examples provided in FAQ 1 regarding behavior that is not permitted when there is a Title IX No Communication Order in place also apply when a Title IX mutual No Contact Order is in place.

See Appendix 2 for a sample Title IX mutual No Contact Order.

A Title IX “skewed” No Contact Order, like a Title IX mutual No Contact Order, is a University Order which limits the locations where two members of the University community (students, staff or faculty) may be present, but under a Title IX “skewed” No Contact Order, in places in which neither party’s presence is required, the responsibility to avoid a party (the complainant) falls exclusively on the other party (the respondent).   

See Appendices 3 and 4 for sample Title IX “skewed” No Contact Orders.

A Title IX “skewed” No Contact Order is issued only under the following two circumstances:

• Where a respondent has been found responsible through a formal grievance process for violating the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy or the University Sexual Misconduct policy, or for violating a previous Title IX No Contact Order.  Under this circumstance, a Title IX “skewed” No Contact Order is disciplinary in nature. The duration of the Title IX “skewed” No Contact Order is determined by the disciplinary body issuing the Order.
   
• As part of an Alternate Resolution Agreement, in which a complainant and respondent have mutually and voluntarily agreed to enter a Title IX “skewed” No Contact Order for a specified duration. Under this circumstance, a Title IX “skewed” No Contact Order is not disciplinary in nature. These Orders can only be modified as set forth in the Alternate Resolution Agreement.

Yes. The No Communication Orders and No Contact Orders issued by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students and the Graduate School are issued under different circumstances and follow different parameters than those issued by the Title IX office. For more information, please see here.

While Title IX No Communication Orders and Title IX No Contact Orders prevent parties from engaging in any direct or indirect communication with one another, and from engaging in harassing, retaliatory, or intimidating behavior that would constitute a violation of University policy, such Orders do not bar individuals from talking about the other party and/or situations involving the other party.

An enrolled student or University employee may request such an Order with respect to another enrolled student or University employee as a supportive measure when the individual reports having experienced conduct that may constitute a violation of the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy or the University Sexual Misconduct policy, with or without filing a complaint. The request will be reviewed by the Title IX office and the Order will be issued if the Title IX office determines that the reported conduct, if substantiated, may violate University policy. 

In issuing a Title IX No Communication Order or a Title IX mutual No Contact Order, the Title IX office also may rely on a determination made by the Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education office (SHARE) that a student disclosure to a SHARE clinician involves interpersonal violence and/or abuse, including but not limited to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence or stalking, as the basis for issuing a Title IX No Communication Order or a Title IX mutual No Contact Order. 

If you are interested in obtaining a Title IX No Communication or Title IX No Contact Order, please contact Nicole Barkley-Jones ([email protected]), Associate Director of Title IX Operations. Upon meeting with a Title IX administrator, you should share any specific location concerns you may have (for example, if you and the other party are in the same club or activity, or if you are in the same dormitory), so that the request can be reviewed and the Order can be tailored to the specific situation.

We trust that these requests are made in good faith; a University administrator reviews all requests, the Title IX Orders apply equally to both parties, and our history has not shown an abuse of such Title IX Orders.

Other than Orders issued after a finding of a violation of the Title IX policy (as described above), Title IX No Communication Orders and Title IX No Contact Orders are not punitive. These Orders are not part of the University disciplinary process, and they do not constitute a finding of, or charge of, any violation of University policy, and are not intended to be punitive in any way. Rather, they are intended as a supportive measure to ensure equal access to the University’s educational programs and activities for individuals impacted by conduct that may violate the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy or the University Sexual Misconduct policy.  

We recognize that a Title IX No Contact Order does place some restrictions on an individual's movement around campus, but we work with both individuals to ensure that this does not unduly interfere with their educational and/or working experiences and is not unduly burdensome.

The Title IX office will make this assessment on a case by case basis, taking into account a number of factors, including the reason that the access is needed and how often access is needed. The Title IX office may consult with University faculty or staff to determine how shared spaces can be reasonably accessed.

If circumstances change, a party may request that the Title IX office revisit the Order. If adjustments are deemed necessary, both parties to the Order will be consulted.

Title IX No Communication Orders issued as a supportive measure typically will be kept in place for twelve months or for the duration of a Title IX formal grievance process or alternate resolution process (whichever is longer), but may be modified and/or extended as the Title IX office deems necessary. 

Title IX No Contact Orders issued as a supportive measure typically will be issued for three months or for the duration of a Title IX formal grievance process or alternate resolution process (whichever is longer), but may be modified and/or extended as the Title IX office deems necessary.

If the requesting party wishes to request an extension of a Title IX No Communication or Title IX No Contact Order, they should contact the Title IX office at least two weeks in advance of the date on which the Order is set to expire. The Title IX office will review the request and may seek to speak with both parties (separately) as part of their review.

If you believe that the other party has violated a Title IX No Communication or Title IX No Contact Order, you should contact the following administrators, who will review the matter and impose appropriate discipline if it is determined that the other party violated the Order:

• Undergraduate students should contact the Assistant Dean for Student Life of their residential college.
• Graduate students should contact the appropriate Graduate School Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.
• Faculty and Academic Professionals (all postdoc ranks, Professional Specialists, Associate/Research Scholars, Academic Research Managers, Senior Academic Research Managers) should contact the Assistant Dean of Compliance, Office of the Dean of the Faculty.
• Staff should contact their designated Human Resources manager.

In making such determinations, the disciplinary body will consider the context of the interaction, whether the other party reasonably ought to have known that the other party was present, the level of proximity, the venue, etc.  

As for any violation of University policy, penalties will depend upon the nature and severity of the violation (see Rights, Rules, Responsibilities Section 1.1.7). However, first-time violations of No Communication Orders or mutual No Contact Orders typically would not result in separation (suspension or expulsion) unless the violation was egregious or there was a history of prior violations of University policy that warranted such action.

Workplace Title IX No Contact or Title IX No Communication Orders are not intended to discourage or prohibit concerted activity under Section 7 of the NLRA.  If you have any questions in that regard, please contact the Director of Client Services and Labor Relations, Office of Human Resources.

Consider consulting with a confidential resource (such as the SHARE office, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Office of Religious Life for students; and CareBridge for employees)  who can assist you in weighing your options and choosing the services and resources that are right for you. 

Dear [individual], 

As discussed, I write to inform you that the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration has issued a No Communication Order, whereby neither you nor [other party] may have any communication with each other in person or through another party, by telephone, letter, e-mail, or other electronic media, or by any other means, including via social media. This applies on campus and in the local vicinity, at University-sponsored events, and/or by electronic communication (from any location). You may not engage in indirect communication via social media or any other means. You must also refrain from any form of Harassment or Retaliation that would constitute a violation of University policy.  If at any time either one of you feels the need to communicate with the other, you may do so only through me or through another administrator authorized by my office. 

[Other party] has received the same instructions as you find throughout this letter.  If you have any questions, let me know right away. 

This No Communication Order will remain in effect until [date], unless I inform you that my office has modified or revoked it. Should your circumstances change in a way that you believe impacts this Order, please let me know and we may consider adjusting the terms of this Order.

This Order is not an indication of responsibility for a violation of University policy; rather, it is intended to forestall interactions that could be perceived by either party as retaliatory, intimidating, or harassing.  No Communication Orders do not, in and of themselves, become part of the recipient’s permanent University record. However, it is very important that you understand and abide by the above stated conditions, since an infringement of this Order may result in disciplinary consequences.  

If you have any questions now or in the future regarding this No Communication Order, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.  If you have additional questions regarding No Communication Orders generally, please see https://sexualmisconductinvestigations.princeton.edu/faqs/faqs-regarding-title-ix-no-communication-and-no-contact-orders.

Sincerely, 

[Title IX office administrator]

Dear [individual], 

As discussed, I write to inform you that the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration has issued a No Contact Order whereby neither you nor [other party] may have any contact with each other, in person or through another party, by telephone, letter, e-mail, or other electronic media, or by any other means, including via social media. This applies on campus and in the local vicinity, at University-sponsored events, and/or by electronic communication (from any location). You may not engage in indirect communication, including via social media or any other means. You must also refrain from any form of Harassment or Retaliation that would constitute a violation of University policy.  If at any time either one of you feels the need to communicate with the other, you may do so only through me or through a third party explicitly authorized by me.

Furthermore, you must make a concerted effort to avoid the [other party], as follows:  

• In areas where neither of you is required to be present, if one of you arrives first, the other must leave. 
• In areas where you are both required to be present (e.g., classes, lab space), you must both avoid being in close proximity to one another.  
• In areas where their presence is required and yours is not (e.g., their dormitory, their residential college dining hall), you may not be present. 
• In areas where your presence is required and theirs is not (e.g., your dormitory, your residential college dining hall), they may not be present.

In the case of certain community events held in large venues where significant distance can be maintained, you may both attend provided that both parties avoid close proximity to one another.  Examples of such events may include:  large events occurring in outside areas, in large concert venues, in the University Chapel, or in large athletic venues, including the USG Concert held during Lawn Parties, Commencement events, and activities in Reunions tents.

[Other party] has received the same instructions as you find in this letter.  If you have any questions, let me know right away. This No Contact Order will remain in effect until [date], unless I inform you that the Title IX office has modified or revoked it. Should your circumstances change in a way that you believe impacts this Order, please let me know and we may consider adjusting the terms of this Order.

This Order is not an indication of responsibility for a violation of University policy; rather, it is intended to forestall interactions that could be perceived by either party as retaliatory, intimidating, or harassing. No Contact Orders do not, in and of themselves, become part of the recipient’s permanent University record. However, it is very important that you understand and abide by the above stated conditions, since an infringement of this order may result in disciplinary consequences. This may include revising the Order such that responsibility to avoid the other party falls exclusively on the party found responsible for violating the Order.

If you have any questions now or in the future regarding this No Contact Order, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. If you have additional questions regarding No Contact Orders generally, please see https://sexualmisconductinvestigations.princeton.edu/faqs/faqs-regarding-title-ix-no-communication-and-no-contact-orders.

Sincerely,

[Title IX office administrator]

Dear [individual],

As discussed, I write to inform you that the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration has issued a No Contact Order pertaining to you and [other party].  

Neither you nor [other party] may have any contact with each other, either on or off campus, in person or through another party, by telephone, letter, e-mail, or other electronic media, or by any other means, including via social media. This applies on campus and in the local vicinity, at University-sponsored events, and/or by electronic communication (from any location). You may not engage in indirect communication via social media or any other means. You must also refrain from any form of Harassment, or Retaliation that would constitute a violation of University policy. If at any time either one of you feels the need to communicate with the other, you may do so only through me or through a third party explicitly authorized by me. 

Please note that the burden is on [other party] to avoid you, as follows:

• In areas where neither of you is required to be present, if you are present, [other party] must leave. 
• In areas where you are both required to be present, (e.g., classes, lab space) you must each avoid standing/sitting near the other.  
• In areas where your presence is required and [other party]’s is not (e.g., your dormitory, your residential college dining hall), [other party] may not be present. 
• In areas where [other party]’s presence is required and yours is not (e.g., their dormitory, their residential college dining hall), you may not be present. 
• In the case of certain community events held in large venues where significant distance can be maintained, you may both attend so long as [other party] stays as far away from you as possible.  Once aware of your presence, the burden is on [other party] to be mindful of your location and avoid it. Examples of such events may include:  large events occurring in outside areas, in large concert venues, in the University Chapel, or in large athletic venues, including the USG Concert held during Lawn Parties, Commencement events, and activities in Reunions tents.

[Other party] will receive instructions that correspond with those in this letter.  This No Contact Order will remain in effect through [add date] unless I inform you that my office has modified or revoked it.  

These instructions are intended to forestall interactions that could be perceived by either party as retaliatory, intimidating, or harassing. It is very important that you understand and abide by the above stated conditions, since an infringement of this order may result in disciplinary consequences.

If you have any questions now or in the future regarding the no contact order, please be in touch with me.  In addition, please see these FAQs regarding No Contact Orders:  https://sexualmisconductinvestigations.princeton.edu/faqs/faqs-regarding-title-ix-no-communication-and-no-contact-orders.

Sincerely,

[Title IX office administrator]

Dear [individual],

As discussed, I write to inform you that the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration has issued a No Contact Order pertaining to you and [other party].  

Neither you nor [other party] may have any contact with each other, either on or off campus, in person or through another party, by telephone, letter, e-mail, or other electronic media, or by any other means, including via social media. This applies on campus and in the local vicinity, at University-sponsored events, and/or by electronic communication from any location. You may not engage in indirect communication via social media or any other means. You must also refrain from any form of Harassment or Retaliation that would constitute a violation of University policy. If at any time either one of you feels the need to communicate with the other, you may do so only through me or through a third party explicitly authorized by me. 

Please note that the burden is on you to avoid the [other party], as follows:

• In areas where neither of you is required to be present, if you are present, you must leave. 
• In areas where you are both required to be present, (e.g., classes, lab space) you must each avoid standing/sitting near the other.  
• In areas where their presence is required and yours is not (e.g., their dormitory, their residential college dining hall), you may not be present. 
• In areas where your presence is required and theirs is not (e.g., your dormitory, your residential college dining hall), [other party] may not be present. 
• In the case of certain community events held in large venues where significant distance can be maintained, you may both attend so long as you stay as far away from [other party] as possible.  Once aware of their presence, the burden is on you to be mindful of their location and avoid it.  Examples of such events may include:  large events occurring in outside areas, in large concert venues, in the University Chapel, or in large athletic venues, including the USG Concert held during Lawn Parties, Commencement events, and activities in Reunions tents.

[Other party] will receive instructions that correspond with those in this letter.  This No Contact Order will remain in effect through [date] unless I inform you that my office has modified or revoked it.  

These instructions are intended to forestall interactions that could be perceived by either party as retaliatory, intimidating, or harassing. It is very important that you understand and abide by the above stated conditions, since an infringement of this order may result in disciplinary consequences.

If you have any questions now or in the future regarding the no contact order, please be in touch with me.  In addition, please see these FAQs regarding No Contact Orders:  https://sexualmisconductinvestigations.princeton.edu/faqs/faqs-regarding-title-ix-no-communication-and-no-contact-orders.

Sincerely,

[Title IX office administrator]