What Is a No Contact Order?

No Contact Orders are a support measure that can be utilized when a student, employee, staff member, or administrator files a complaint against another student, employee, staff member, or administrator. The Order is designed to facilitate a "cooling-off" period, is not a disciplinary action, and reflects the Minnesota State Board of Trustees' approach to supportive measures provided by Title IX Coordinators, as well as an effective way to uphold nonretaliation. 

How to Initiate a No Contact Order:

• File a complaint using an online reporting form, such as the Campus Security Authority or the Sexual Misconduct reporting form
• File a complaint in person with University Public Safety
• File a complaint in person with the Title IX Coordinator
• File a complaint in person with the Campus Human Resources Officer

University Public Safety, Human Resources, and the Title IX office review the use of No Contact Orders on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the complexity of each individual situation. 

Receiving a No Contact Order is not an indication of responsibility or guilt for violating University policy; however, it is intended to forestall interactions that either party could perceive as retaliatory, intimidating, or harassing. No Contact Orders do not, in and of themselves, become part of the recipient's permanent University record. No Contact Orders are not legally binding and should not be confused with Orders for Protection or Restraining Orders. 

Parties involved in a No Contact Order should understand and abide by the expectations of the Order, as infringement of the Order could result in disciplinary consequences. This could include revising the order so that the responsibility to avoid the other party rests exclusively with the party found responsible for violating the order. 

General Expectations of a No Contact Order:

Parties named in a No Contact Order must communicate the general guidelines of the Order with other impacted individuals who have oversight or interactions with the named parties (e.g., professors, supervisors, coaches, roommates, co-workers).

• In areas where neither party is required to be present, if one party arrives first, the other party must leave.
• In areas where both parties are required to be present, they must avoid sitting near each other.
• In areas where one party is required and the other party is not, the non-required party may not be present.

For additional information on the use of No Contact Orders, please visit the Minnesota State Board of Trustees 1B.3 Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedure

If you have additional questions or need help with supporting an Order, please contact:

• University Public Safety at (507) 537-7525
• Title IX Coordinator at (507) 537-6657 
• Campus Human Resources at (507) 537-7500