{"id":977,"date":"2024-05-13T18:59:10","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T18:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/titleix\/?page_id=977"},"modified":"2025-06-09T12:26:37","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T16:26:37","slug":"no-contact-order-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/titleix\/no-contact-order-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"No Contact Order FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

A No Contact Order (NCO) is a supportive measure that may be requested by parties after a report to the Title IX Office (“TIXO”). They are intended to restrict communication and restore access to education and\/or employment.<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n

\n What is an NCO?\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n \n
\n NCOs are non-punitive in nature and mutually applied. All parties, including the requester, are required to refrain from communication. NCOs are not the same as a protection order. Parties looking for a protective order from the courts should contact their county\u2019s court system.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n
\n Who can request an NCO?\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n \n
\n Anyone impacted by harassment, discrimination, and\/or sexual misconduct may request an NCO to stop or prevent unwanted communication from an affiliate member of the Marshall University community. To learn more and to determine whether an NCO from the TIXO is right for you, please contact the TIXO to discuss resources and options.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n
\n Does a formal complaint have to be filed to request a NCO?\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n \n
\n No.<\/p>\n

The NCO can be issued if there is reason to believe the order will be in the best interest of all parties and the university community. The NCO may also be imposed during the course of an investigation or as a possible resolution following a complaint. Upon imposition of a NCO, any contact will demonstrate a violation of the NCO and may result in further administrative action.\u00a0The duration of a NCO is determined by the Title IX coordinator, or the student conduct administrator.<\/p>\n

Although university imposed NCOs may provide a sense of security, it is important to understand that unlike Court Orders of Protection, university issued NCOs are not punishable by arrest, conviction, or incarceration. Rather, they are used for university administrative purposes only. Neither university NCOs or Court Orders of Protection guarantee the safety of the parties involved.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n

\n How do you request an NCO?\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n \n
\n If you have already received outreach from the TIXO, contact them to learn more. If you have not already reported your concerns, submit a report here: Reporting Form<\/a>. Or you can submit a Request for Mutual No Contact Order<\/a> and send it to the TIXO. After an incident report or request is submitted, a member of the TIXO will contact the impacted party to discuss resources and options, including an NCO.<\/p>\n

For information about NCOs that do not relate to protected class-based discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, please contact the Office of Student Conduct or the Office of Human Resources.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n

\n What conduct does an NCO apply to?\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n \n
\n NCOs prohibit direct communication and communication through third parties, for example, an NCO would prohibit verbal (e.g., face to face, video chat, or phone), written (e.g., notes, gifts, or letters), and electronic communication (e.g., direct messages, chat apps, emails, dating apps, or social media). This applies to communication both on and off campus.<\/p>\n

NCOs do not limit the ability to be in the same space (e.g., classrooms, student organization meetings, residential facilities, dining halls, lunchrooms, breakrooms, social gatherings, university-sponsored travel, office spaces and labs). When individuals are in proximity to one another, such as in classes or the workplace, there may still be some interaction as long as prohibited communication does not occur. Behavior that is not prohibited by the NCO may still be subject to the BOG GA-3 Policy<\/a>. For example, while being in the same space or looking at the other party may not violate the NCO, depending on the context (e.g., intentionally standing near the other party and\/or leering at them), such conduct could be evaluated under stalking or harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n

\n Does an NCO prohibit me from participating in University or legal proceedings with the individual?\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n \n
\n No. Communication required during a University hearing is not considered a violation of the NCO. The NCO is separate and apart from any legal proceedings; communication as required by the legal process would also not be considered a violation of the NCO. Please consult with TIXO if you have any questions regarding required communication.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n
\n Does the NCO apply in areas that are not University property?\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n \n
\n No.<\/p>\n

The University does not enforce NCOs on non-University property, i.e. off Grounds. Retaliation against a student off Grounds because such student reported Prohibited Conduct or participated in an investigation is not tolerated and should be immediately reported to the Title IX Coordinator at 304-696-2934 or titleix@marshall.edu<\/a>. As defined by the Sexual Misconduct Policy, retaliation means any adverse action taken against a person for making a good faith report of Prohibited conduct or participating in any proceeding under the Sexual Misconduct Policy. Retaliation includes threatening, intimidating, harassing, coercing, or any other conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from engaging in activity protected under the Sexual Misconduct Policy. Retaliation may be present even where there is a finding of \u201cno responsibility\u201d on allegations of Prohibited Conduct. Retaliation does not include good faith actions lawfully pursued in response to a report of Prohibited Conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n

\n What if I feel unsafe on or off grounds?\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n \n
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IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER ON OR OFF GROUNDS, CALL 911.<\/p>\n

Individuals who feel unsafe and wish to have no contact with another party off Grounds, but who are not in immediate danger, are strongly encouraged to contact local law enforcement about options, such as obtaining a Protective Order or other safety planning.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n

\n What should I do if I suspect a violation of an NCO?\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n \n
\n If you believe that the NCO has been violated, please submit an Incident Report<\/a> with the following information:<\/p>\n