Respect Boundaries

The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act, a federal law, requires all new incoming students to receive primary prevention and awareness education about sexual violence. In compliance with this law, new students are required to complete the Respect Boundaries: Sexual Violence Awareness Program. The program emphasizes Purdue’s commitment to a safe campus environment and each student’s shared responsibility, as a member of the community, to help foster a safe campus environment.

Audience: new, incoming students each semester (including online-only and non-degree seeking students)

Time: 30 minutes

Format: Online-only, Brightspace

Recurrence: One time

How to register:

All new incoming students are automatically enrolled in this course. Students do not manually register.

Directions to access Respect Boundaries in Brightspace.

Visit these frequently asked questions to learn more.

Who has to complete the program?

All new incoming students at Purdue University each semester, whether residential or online, must complete Respect Boundaries. This includes online-only and non-degree students enrolled in professional courses.

I already completed Respect Boundaries during a previous degree or professional program. Do I need to complete it again?

This often happens with students who enroll in a Graduate or professional program after completing a degree at Purdue. If you already completed Respect Boundaries at Purdue and enroll in another degree or professional program, you do not need to complete Respect Boundaries again. This is a one-time requirement.

For example, if you entered Purdue as a new undergraduate student in the fall of 2016 and then immediately began a Master's program in fall 2020, you would not be considered a new student and would not complete Respect Boundaries again. But, if you completed an undergraduate degree at another university and then began a graduate degree at Purdue, you would be considered a new student at Purdue and will need to complete Respect Boundaries.

Please note that this requirement did not take effect until 2014, so this would only apply to students after that point.

I'm a fully online student. Why do I need to complete this?

Respect Boundaries covers topics such as harassment and stalking, which can and do occur online. It is important for you as an online student to recognize these actions, which are violations of Purdue University policy. Additionally, it is important for you as an online student to know where to go for support and resources should you experience online harassment or cyberstalking.

Finally, the law requiring this education does not differentiate between one-time, part-time, or full-time students, nor does it differentiate between those taking classes on campus vs. those enrolled in a distance education course or program. The policies and procedures covered in the program apply to you as a student at Purdue University.

I completed Respect Boundaries at another Purdue campus and transferred to another campus. Do I still need to complete Respect Boundaries?

Yes. While much of the content is the same for all three campuses, there are differences at each campus, such as the resources available and where to report harassment.

I'm a non-degree seeking student only taking one course. Do I need to complete Respect Boundaries?

The law requiring this course does not distinguish between one-time, part-time, in-person, or online students. You are required to complete it as a student at Purdue University. Whether or not you complete it is your choice. You will receive a registration hold if it is incomplete, and you won't be able to register for other courses in the future until you complete Respect Boundaries.

When is Respect Boundaries available?

Respect Boundaries will appear in Brightspace approximately one week before the semester begins for any new incoming student.

Respect Boundaries is required every semester - summer, fall, and spring.

What topics are covered in Respect Boundaries?

There are four short modules associated with the program:

The first module covers applicable policies across campus.
The second module offers guidance on how to be an active bystander to help prevent sexual violence, as well as information about how to help a survivor of sexual violence who may seek support from students.
The third module covers relationship violence.
The fourth module covers resources and support options available on campus and in the community for survivors of sexual violence.

What if I don't complete Respect Boundaries?

If you do not complete the program a hold will be placed on your registration. You will not be able to enroll in any future classes at Purdue until you complete the program.

I have a hold for Respect Boundaries on my account and I can't register for classes. How do I remove it?

You must complete each of the four quizzes with 100% accuracy for the hold to be removed.

Upon completing all four modules, the hold will be automatically removed within an hour. The Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance can not remove the hold manually.

I have questions. Who can I contact?

Direct all questions about Respect Boundaries to the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance Education at vpeceducation@purdue.edu or 765-496-3201.

Please note that we do not manually remove Respect Boundaries holds. The only way for the hold to be removed is for you to complete the training. Holds are then removed within about thirty minutes.