Definition
No Contact Orders are directives prohibiting communication between or among designated parties. No Contact Orders are issued when, in the judgement of the issuer, there is reason to believe that an order would be in the best interest of all parties and the community for maintaining peace and safety. Victims/survivors of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking may also request one. No Contact Orders prohibit all forms of communication between designated parties, direct or indirect, written, electronic, or through a third party (other than an attorney). This would include via telephone, email, text messages, Twitter, Instant Messenger, Skype, Facebook, in-person, etc.
Authority
No Contact Orders differ from court-imposed retraining orders/Orders of Protection, and do not guarantee that the designated parties will avoid sightings or passing interactions on the campus or in the local community. In some circumstances, No Contact Orders may restrict a person from parts of the campus except for required academic or work activities. Those concerned about their safety or who have questions about No Contact Orders should contact Student Conduct, Title IX, or University Police.
Issuance
- No Contact Orders may be issued to main the peace and safety of the community and the parties involved in an incident. Such situations include, but are not limited to: harassment, threats, bullying, physical assault, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, retaliation, intimidation, or other disruptive behaviors as indicated in the Student Code of Conduct, “Student Community Rights & Responsibilities; or federal; state; or local laws.
- No Contact Orders may be issued for incidents that occur off campus, in non-residential areas of campus, and residence halls, entryways, and other areas contiguous to the residence halls.
- No Contact Orders may be issued to all parties involved in an incident. This includes the victim/survivor, respondent/accused, and any other parties involved. No Contact Orders may be delivered in the quickest means available, including email, campus mail, or hand-delivered by a University Police Officer or other college designee.
- If a No Contact Order is part of the terms of an interim suspension, the interim suspension student may be notified in the No Contact Order, as well as in the interim suspension notice, that the two are enforced concurrently.
Policy for Review of No Contact Order
All parties may, upon request and consistent with SUNY Potsdam policies and procedures, be afforded a prompt review, reasonable under the circumstances, of the need for and terms of a No Contact Order, including potential modification, and may be allowed to submit evidence in support of their request. SUNY Potsdam may establish an appropriate schedule for the parties to access applicable buildings and property at a time when such buildings and property are not being accessed by the other party.