2020–2021 CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK ACADEMIC INFORMATION AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES moderated by the Rasmussen University Social Media Team. All comments, posts, and messages are reviewed to ensure they comply with University policies and will be deleted if they are found in the University’s sole discretion to be abusive, inflammatory, contrary to our guidelines, or otherwise inappropriate. Interactive messages and comments will not be posted if their content contains material that is unlawful, harassing, libelous, defamatory, abusive, threatening, harmful, vulgar, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, racially offensive, inaccurate, or otherwise objectionable material of any kind or nature; or that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law or regulation; or that encourages the use of controlled substances as set forth under Federal Law. Rasmussen University reserves the right to edit interactive messaging questions for clarity. Furthermore, when engaging in any online posts through any of the foregoing social media accounts, on any Rasmussen University website, or through any app—whether managed, owned, or operated by Rasmussen University or a vendor—users must adhere to online community guidelines by refraining from: • Threatening, harassing, aggressive, derogatory, defamatory, or libelous comments toward Rasmussen University, any individual, any group, or any faculty or staff member. Any threats are prohibited and may be escalated to local law enforcement for investigation. • Engaging in discrimination of any kind. Comments or posts that contain hateful speech of any kind related to age, gender, race, religion, political affiliation, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability will be deleted. • Using profane, obscene, pornographic, or otherwise inappropriate or offensive comments. Posts which contain explicit language, explicit material, or links to such explicit material will be deleted. – Any students, staff, faculty, users, witnesses, or third parties may contact the Rasmussen University Title IX Coordinator or use the online reporting tool to report any incidents of or suspected incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment, or stalking. The Rasmussen University Title IX policy as well as a list of resources are available online at https://www.rasmussen. edu/student-life/title-ix. The full Title IX and Policy Against Sexual Misconduct can be found in the Rasmussen University Catalog/ Addendum. • Engaging in unethical or illegal activities, including the posting of messages or links containing viruses or malware or that instigate or imply violence toward oneself or another. Such activities will be deleted and may be escalated to local law enforcement. • Engaging in academic dishonesty or other unethical or illegal activity. Academic dishonesty may result in expulsion or revocation of bestowed honors. • Posting content used to promote or benefit personal brands or businesses. Any posts which in Rasmussen’s sole discretion contain solicitations will be deleted. • Impersonating someone else or using a fake or fraudulent account. Posting any fake or fraudulent “facts” or statements is prohibited. Such posts or comments may be deleted. • Creating identical or duplicate posts by the same user or identical posts by a group of users. Rasmussen University may delete any of the foregoing posts. • Using social media accounts to report phishing, spam, or criminal activity. Suspicious emails and other activity should be reported to our Personal Support Center by contacting help@ personalsupportcenter.com or 866- 693-2211 for assistance. Rasmussen University reserves the right to take any and all appropriate action if, in its sole discretion, a user or users violate any of these online community guidelines. Rasmussen University further reserves the right to remove posts or comments at any time without notice and to change any of these terms at any time. All terms of service and guidelines implemented by Facebook, TargetX Schools App, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, Yelp, and Google My Business must be followed. Title IX and Policy Against Sexual Misconduct A. General Provisions 1. References to “this policy” means Sections A through K of this policy. 2. University policy strongly condemns and expressly prohibits sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment, and stalking. a. References to “University policy” mean the rule outlined in this section, A(2). 3. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (see 34 C.F.R. Part 106) protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance, and applies to all gender identities. Title IX states that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. 4. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (see 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.) prohibits employers from discriminating against any individual with respect to their compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. 5. This policy applies to the actions of students and employees, including co-workers, managers, or by any other persons doing business with or for the University. 6. Location of the alleged incident that violates this policy: a. This policy applies to harms against students regardless of where the incident occurred. b. This policy applies to harms against employees or third- parties occurring on property owned or leased by the University, or at any activity, program, organization, or event sponsored by the University, or by a fraternity or sorority. 7. Complaints may allege violation of University policy or Title IX, subject to the following: a. Complaints alleging violations of the University policy are handled by the Human Resources Director, Corporate Counsel, Title IX Coordinator, or a combination thereof, and follow the rules and procedures of this policy. b. Complaints alleging violations of Title IX are handled by the Title IX Coordinator and follow the rules and procedures of this policy. c. An employee complaint against another employee will be handled by Human Resources as a violation of University policy, as outlined here and in the Employee Handbook, before the complaint may be pursued under Title IX. 8. Nothing in these policies shall prevent anyone from contacting law enforcement or pursuing formal legal remedies or resolution through state or federal agencies or the courts. 9. Academic or other education- related complaints are rightly pursued under the Academic Appeals and Grievance Policy. The Academic Appeal Procedure must be used for a complaint regarding a final grade or program-specific academic policy. A grievance, which is an expressed feeling of dissatisfaction regarding an action taken by the University or by members of the University community, follows the Grievance ALL CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ADDENDUM Procedure. When the Academic Appeals and Grievance Policy process does not resolve an academic or other education-related complaint with an underlying Title IX issue or other violation of this policy, such a complaint may be subsequently pursued under this policy. 10. All students and employees shall be informed of this policy by training, the university catalog, or other means. B. Definitions “University” and “the University” means Rasmussen University. “Complainant” means the person bringing the complaint. “Consent” has no definition in federal law, and is defined differently across states and local jurisdictions. As part of the larger community, Rasmussen University is subject to, abides by, and supports federal, state, county, and local statutes and ordinances regarding criminal sexual conduct. For purposes of any complaint filed under this policy, Rasmussen University follows and applies the definition of consent of the state or jurisdiction in which the alleged incident occurred. If the state or jurisdiction does not define consent in its laws, the University will apply the Illinois definition as stated below. The definition of consent for each state in which Rasmussen University has a residential campus is reproduced here: 1. Florida: “Consent means intelligent, knowing, and voluntary consent and does not include coerced submission. ‘Consent’ shall not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the alleged victim to offer physical resistance to the offender.” Fla. Stat. § 794.011(1)(a). 2. Illinois: The definition of consent, “at a minimum, recognizes that (i) consent is a freely given agreement to sexual activity, (ii) a person’s lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the use or threat of force does not constitute consent, (iii) a person’s manner of dress does not constitute consent, (iv) a person’s consent to past sexual activity does not constitute consent to future sexual activity, (v) a person’s consent to engage in sexual activity with one person does not constitute consent to engage in sexual activity with another, (vi) a person can withdraw consent at any time, and (vii) a person cannot consent to sexual activity if that person is unable to understand the nature of the activity or give knowing consent due to circumstances, including without limitation the following: (A) The person is incapacitated due to the use or influence of alcohol or drugs; 173
