Astrophoria Foundation Year No Contact Arrangement Statement

Introduction 

The Astrophoria Foundation Year aims to provide a safe environment in which students can focus on and pursue their education.  As part of this, the Astrophoria Foundation Year recognises that there may be circumstances where it is desirable to put in place arrangements to limit the contact between students who are in dispute, while allowing them to continue with their academic studies.

Definitions 

Both a no contact agreement and a no contact order are formal arrangements designed as protective measures to help mitigate the potential for future problematic interactions between students who are in dispute. More specifically: 

1. A No Contact Agreement (NCA) is a mutual agreement between students who voluntarily agree to measures to limit the likelihood of contact between them, except for that which is necessary for their academic studies. An NCA may be put in place during disciplinary proceedings or where no disciplinary proceedings are taking place. 

2. A No Contact Order (NCO) is an order from the Proctors imposing measures on particular students who are in dispute to limit the likelihood of contact between them, except for that which is necessary for their academic studies. An NCO may be imposed: (a) as an interim measure during disciplinary proceedings, (b) as a sanction at the outcome of disciplinary proceedings or, (c) where no disciplinary proceedings are taking place, where a student unreasonably refuses to agree to an NCA.

Implementation 

NCAs and NCOs may be put in place by colleges for several scenarios.  This may be as part of or in parallel to other college procedures, including as part of the college’s disciplinary procedures and college’s harassment policies.  The Astrophoria Foundation Year requests that the Astrophoria Foundation Year Director is kept informed of all NCAs and NCOs which involve students who are currently on the Astrophoria Foundation Year. 

NCAs and NCOs may be put in place by University Proctors for scenarios which involve students at the University, but do not fall under the remit of college NCAs and NCOs.  The Astrophoria Foundation Year will liaise with Senior Tutors at the relevant college(s) to keep them informed of all NCAs and NCOs which involve students who are currently within their college(s).

Relevant Policies 

The Astrophoria Foundation Year endorses the University’s No Contact Arrangement Policy, as set out in a document authored by the University’s Proctor’s office, available as a PDF on the University website.

The Astrophoria Foundation Year recognises the same practical and legal obligations as set out in the University document.