2018–2019 CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK ACADEMIC INFORMATION AND COLLEGE POLICIES 5. Community-based, state, and national support organizations, such as sexual assault crisis centers may be contacted. Some of these organizations are included in the List of College and External Authorities, Resources, and Support found at the end of these policies. 6. At any time, and regardless of whether a complaint has been filed, the Victim/ Survivor may informally resolve any violation of this policy with the Respondent. F. Reporting a Complaint 1. Anyone—whether a student, employee, bystander, witness, or other third- party—may report a complaint under this policy. a. A student who is a Victim/Survivor should file their complaint through the Online Reporting System or with the Title IX Coordinator. i. If reporting through the Online Reporting System or to the Title IX Coordinator is not practical, any College employee other than work-study students may receive a complaint and will escalate it to the Title IX Coordinator. b. An employee who is a Victim/ Survivor should file their complaint through the Online Reporting System or with the Vice President of Human Capital. c. A third-party who is a Victim/ Survivor should file their complaint through the Online Reporting System or with the Title IX Coordinator. d. Bystanders, witnesses, or other third-parties should report through the Online Reporting System or to the Title IX Coordinator. 2. Submit complaints to: a. The Online Reporting System at http://www.rasmussen.edu/student- life/title-ix/ on the College website. b. The Title IX Coordinator, Joshua Collier ([email protected]) c. The Vice President of Human Capital, Jessica Schmiesing ([email protected]) 3. Complaints made to faculty or other college employees who are not work- study students will be escalated to the Title IX Coordinator or Vice President of Human Capital as is appropriate. 4. Anonymous complaints are permitted, and an Inquiry will be initiated to the extent possible with the information available. 5. All complaints should be reported promptly. 6. Upon receipt of a complaint alleging sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, the College will provide the Victim/Survivor, at the earliest opportunity, with a concise and plain language writing explaining the Victim’s/Survivor’s Rights and Options. G. No Retaliation Allowed 1. Regarding an alleged incident of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, no retaliatory action (e.g., threats, intimidation, reprisals, or adverse employment or educational actions) shall be taken against: a. The Victim/Survivor; b. Those who, in good faith, report or disclose, file a complaint, or otherwise participate in the Inquiry, Investigation, or complaint resolution process; c. An individual who serves as an advisor or support person for any party; and d. An individual, merely because they are or have been the object of a complaint. 2. Complaints of retaliation will be investigated and resolved under the complaint procedures of this policy, and are subject to the range of sanctions outlined in this policy. H. Amnesty for Good Faith Reporters A witness or Victim/Survivor of an incident of alleged sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking who reports in good faith: 1. Shall not be sanctioned by the College for admitting in the report to a violation of College policy on the personal use of drugs or alcohol; and 2. Are immune from other violations of student conduct policies, including an action that places the health or safety of any other person at risk, unless the College determines that the violation was egregious. I. Inquiries, Investigations, and Resolution of Complaints 1. An Inquiry or Investigation is conducted by the Title IX Coordinator, Vice President of Human Capital, corporate counsel, or any combination thereof. 2. Inquiry. An Inquiry is an initial assessment of whether the reported incident is governed by this policy and will include a telephone conversation with the Complainant and Victim/ Survivor. The Title IX Coordinator, Vice President of Human Capital, corporate counsel, or combination thereof, will make a determination whether the circumstances warrant further investigation or whether the reported incident can be resolved by taking any action deemed appropriate to ensure the Victim’s/Survivor’s rights under this policy. 3. Investigation. A formal Investigation may follow an Inquiry if warranted by the circumstances. a. Before an Investigation begins, the College shall notify the Complainant, Victim/Survivor, and Respondent of the College personnel with authority to make a finding or impose a sanction in their proceeding before the personnel initiate contact with any party. The parties have the opportunity to request a substitution if the participation of any of the College personnel with authority to make a finding or impose a sanction poses a conflict of interest. b. The procedure for conducting an Investigation will include: i. Implementation of appropriate interim protective measures, if requested or if deemed necessary by the investigator. ii. Interviewing the Victim/Survivor, Complainant, Respondent, and witnesses. iii. Communication with the Victim/ Survivor until the matter is resolved. The Victim/Survivor will be informed of procedures being followed throughout the Inquiry or Investigation, but will not be informed of specific information derived from conversations with the Respondent. iv. A written report detailing findings, recommendations, and sanctions. c. The preponderance of the evidence standard shall be used in determining whether a violation of this policy occurred. J. Appeals 1. The Victim/Survivor and Complainant, and the Respondent, have the right to timely appeal the findings or imposed sanctions resulting from an Inquiry or Investigation. An appeal will only be considered if it alleges one of the following: a. A procedural error occurred; b. New information exists that would substantially change the outcome of the finding; or c. The sanction is disproportionate with the violation. 2. Appeals must be written, and filed with the General Counsel, Lori Kruizenga ([email protected]). 3. The word “APPEAL” should be clearly written at the top of the appeal. 4. The appeal should clearly state, with specific details, the justification for the appeal. 5. Appeal Procedure: a. The President and General Counsel will consider and decide the appeal. b. The appeal will be limited in scope to the matter appealed, and to the evidence contained in the original Inquiry and Investigation record, unless the basis for the appeal is that new information exists. i. If the appeal asserts that new information exists, the burden is on the appellant to produce the new information. However, the College may, at its discretion, conduct additional fact gathering efforts so long as they are limited to what is necessary to obtain the alleged new information as described in the appeal. c. Upon due consideration, and based upon the preponderance of the evidence, a written appellate report containing findings and recommendations shall be produced. d. The Victim/Survivor, Complainant, and the Respondent shall receive the appeal decision in writing within 7 days after the conclusion of the review of findings or sanctions, or sooner if required by federal or State law. 6. All findings and recommendations of an appeal are final. K. Contacts 1. The following college authorities are primarily responsible for receiving reports, and for conducting inquiries or investigations under this policy. To reach them, use the Online Reporting System or send an email to: [email protected] a. Title IX Coordinator: Joshua Collier b. Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Noel Borg c. General Counsel: Lori Kruizenga d. Associate Counsel: Aleksandar Dordevic e. Associate Counsel: Nathaniel Orpen Weapons Policy Rasmussen College prohibits the possession of weapons of any kind inside campus buildings. Prohibited items include but are not limited to firearms, BB/pellet guns, slingshots, paint guns, arrows, swords and knives other than cooking utensils and utility/pocket knives with a blade length of 3 inches or less. Prohibited items include weapons that are loaded or unloaded, functioning or non-functioning, and anything that could be perceived as a weapon, including toys and weapons used for decorative, display and/or simulation purposes. This policy applies to all staff, faculty, students and visitors with the exception of licensed peace officers and law enforcement/ security agents as allowed by applicable statute. The approved storage and use of weapons for training purposes as part of a School of Justice Studies program is permitted. This policy includes both campus buildings and off-site events sponsored and controlled by the College including graduation ceremonies, internships, and clinical sites. This policy does not include Rasmussen College parking lots, where weapons are allowed to be stored in private vehicles unless prohibited by a separate parking facility owner or operator. Rasmussen policy defers to agency/site-specific rules regarding School of Justice Studies training facilities. 147
