Conflict is a normal part of living and working in a community. We expect our graduate students to have honest, direct, and civil conversations with others as a means of resolving conflict. If, despite this effort, conflict persists, resources exist to help parties resolve disputes.

Graduate students experiencing interpersonal conflicts may request assistance from the Graduate School Student Affairs team. When additional assistance is required, students may consider additional measures:

Public Safety: Any conflicts involving violence, the threat of violence or any situations that present safety concerns should be immediately reported to the Department of Public Safety by dialing 911 from any phone on campus, or by calling 609-258-3333 when off-campus.

The Ombuds Office: is a confidential place to discuss any concerns, and provides conflict resolution assistance including mediation, coaching and consultations to students, faculty and staff.

No Communication / No Contact Orders

No Communication and No Contact orders are issued in limited circumstances:

1. In an emergent situation such as where there has been a significant interpersonal conflict or altercation, a dean may issue a temporary No Communication Order for a short period of time (typically until the next business day) until the matter can be reviewed or, where a disciplinary infraction is being investigated and there is a concern for the safety of an individual, until an adjudication of the case can take place; or
2.  If an individual has been found responsible for a disciplinary infraction, the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School may issue a No Communication Order or No Contact Order as part of the penalty.

Individuals seeking information about No Contact or No Communication orders in situations involving sexual misconduct may contact the Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education (SHARE) office or the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration (see Sexual Misconduct section below).

If you have general questions about No Contact or No Communication orders, graduate students may contact the Assistant Deans for Student Affairs and the Assistant Director for Student Affairs and Residential Life.

For more information about No Communication and No Contact orders, see these Frequently Asked Questions.

The Student Affairs team is available to discuss and support you with the following issues:

• Graduate student complaints and grievances against other graduate students
• Concerns related to University principles of general conduct and regulations
• Matters involving sexual harassment and assault, racial or ethnic bias or harassment, or discrimination
• Personal safety and security 

Within the Office of the Provost, the director for equal opportunity, Cheri Burgess, and the title IX coordinator, Michele Minter, are also available to discuss concerns related to discrimination or harassment, or issues of personal safety and security. They can be reached at 609-258-6110. 

Information on the University’s Nondiscrimination/Anti-Harassment Policy and Grievance Procedures, including available resources and how to file a complaint under the Policy, can be found on the Inclusive Princeton website. We also encourage you to review the Graduate Student’s Guide to the Grievance Process.

Free speech and peaceable assembly are basic requirements of the University as a center for free inquiry and the search for knowledge and insight. These rights involve a concurrent obligation on the part of all members of the University, guests, and visitors to maintain on the campus an atmosphere conducive to scholarly pursuits and to respect the rights of all individuals. University policy on freedom of expression is stated in Rights, Rules, Responsibilities 1.1.3. In addition, the protest and free expression site contains useful information for those planning a program that may be controversial or wish to exercise their right to free expression. 

The University's sex discrimination and sexual misconduct policy outlines types of prohibited conduct, how to access resources and/or make a complaint, and investigative and disciplinary procedures. Full information on reporting options and resources can be found on Princeton’s Sexual Misconduct & Title IX website. You will also find a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and parties' rights under the University's discipline process.

Individuals who have experienced or witnessed an alleged incident of sex discrimination or sexual misconduct have many options and the University recognizes that deciding among these options can be difficult. Individuals are encouraged to seek assistance from a confidential resource before deciding how to proceed.