No Contact Orders

College administrators are authorized to issue a No Contact Order (NCO) prohibiting contact between students when there exists a reasonable concern that physical or psychological harm may result from such contact, or when an NCO is requested as a supportive measure through the Office of Educational Equity. The terms of an NCO will be reasonably tailored to the particular risks of harm.

The college will consider all facts and circumstances that may be relevant to whether an NCO should be issued, including, but not limited to, the following factors:

  • When there are allegations, threats, and/or evidence of physical violence by one student against another;
  • When there are allegations, threats, and/or evidence of harassment by one student of another;
  • When there is a substantial risk of psychological harm from continued contact between students;
  • When continued contact between students may have a material impact on campus disciplinary proceedings;
  • When a student requests one as a supportive measure in the course of reporting a potential violation of the Policy on Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Non-Discrimination to the Office of Educational Equity.

All NCOs shall provide that one student may not have contact with the other. “Contact” includes physical contact as well as communication, including but not limited to, in-person contact, telephone calls, email, texts and other forms of electronic communication, social media-based messages or postings, and third party communications including through proxies.

No Contact Orders do not ensure that students will not see one another on the campus. Rather, 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 610-330-4444.

NCOs may include additional protective measures or other terms specific to the safety, well-being, or other needs of either or both students subject to the NCO, when deemed necessary by the college. Any additional terms shall be expressly stated in the NCO. Additional protective measures or other terms need not be reciprocal. They may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Restricting a student from being in close proximity to the other student;
  • Restricting a student’s access to certain campus locations, including the other student’s residence hall;
  • Restricting the times a student may be present in on-campus dining facilities;
  • Requiring that the students not be enrolled in the same academic course(s); and
  • Requiring that the students do not participate in the same co-curricular or extra-curricular activities.

NCOs may be issued by the following administrators:

  • Vice President for Student Life
  • Dean of Students
  • Assistant Dean of Students
  • The administrator on call, on behalf of the Vice President, Dean, or Assistant Dean
  • Director of Educational Equity
  • All Public Safety Officers, including the Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety

Additionally, when a supportive measure is requested through the Office of Educational Equity, the Title IX Coordinator and/or deputy coordinators may issue No Contact Orders to involved parties.

A NCO may be imposed by the college without an individual’s request, including if there is an ongoing investigation.  A student seeking the modification or rescission of an NCO shall contact the administrator who issued the NCO. The issuing administrator shall consult with both parties before determining whether or not to modify or rescind the NCO. NCOs will be reviewed on an annual basis; notice will be given to all parties before an NCO is rescinded, with an opportunity to request the NCO remain in place.

Violations of No Contact Orders are subject to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct or the retaliation provisions of the Policy on Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Non-Discrimination, as appropriate. Be advised that failure to comply with this NCO may also result in possible criminal charges by the Department of Public Safety relating to Harassment, Stalking or other charges. This NCO encompasses both on-campus and off campus activity. 

Students who have interpersonal conflicts that do not raise concerns for individual health and safety will not be granted NCOs. These individuals should pursue other forms of conflict resolution, such as mediation with their RA or Assistant Director of Residence Life, or other professional staff member.