2025-2026 CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK ACADEMIC INFORMATION AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES 137 ALL CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ADDENDUM was submitted, and the said evidence may affect the outcome of the grievance determination. • The grievance determination was disproportionate to the findings. • The Campus/Online Executive Director had a conflict of interest, bias, or retaliatory behavior that affected the outcome. To appeal, the complainant must complete the University Grievance Appeal Form within ten (10) business days of receiving the determination. The link to the appeal form can be found at https://guides.rasmussen.edu/disputeresolutionpolicies The University Grievance Officer will have thirty (30) business days from receipt of the appeal to either grant or deny the appeal, or to request additional information from the complainant. The decision of the University Grievance Officer is final. A record of each grievance and grievance appeal determination, including its nature and disposition, shall be maintained for all programs by the University. Conduct and Dismissal Students are expected to conduct themselves with the same standards of behavior as are expected in the workplace and in the community at large. The University reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any students whose conduct is detrimental to the educational environment. A student dismissed from the University because of misconduct may not reenroll. Conduct/Dismissal guidelines for School of Nursing students or students enrolled in select School of Health Sciences programs can be found in each programmatic handbook provided at programmatic orientation. This includes, but is not limited to, conduct: • By students, faculty, or staff that is detrimental within the classroom environment. • That interferes with the well-being of the fellow students or faculty and staff members. • That causes damage to the appearance or structure of the University facility or its equipment. • By students who deliberately falsify, alter, invent student records, or engage in other activities to gain an unfair advantage. • By students who otherwise display conduct detrimental to their own academic progress or ultimate success in the field for which they are being educated. • Florida Campus Students: Florida Campus students and personnel are expected to abide by the Safety in Private Spaces Act. Should an individual be found in violation of this Act, and refuse to depart when asked to do so by Rasmussen personnel, then law enforcement will be notified. All students and personnel have the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General alleging that the institution has failed to meet the minimum requirements for restrooms and changing facilities if they so determine. Students, employees, and guests using Rasmussen networks to access the internet are prohibited from viewing inappropriate material or visiting sites which have been identified as facilitating the violation of copyright/intellectual property protections or other suspicious/illegal activity. Prohibited material could include pornographic images, illegal file sharing programs (such as the illegal downloading and sharing of music), or other violations of the Rasmussen University Acceptable Use Policy. Violations will result in the loss of network use privileges and possibly other penalties, up to and including dismissal. Dress Code Rasmussen University encourages students to dress as if they were going to work and to start acquiring a wardrobe suitable for employment after graduation. Several programs, including those in our School of Nursing and our School of Health Sciences, have stringent dress codes and professional appearance requirements. Standards are specified in the applicable program handbooks. In some cases, failure to meet the required standard may impact a student’s ability to participate in an externship, practicum or clinical experience, and may ultimately impact the student’s grade. Please consult the handbook specific to your program or see your Program Coordinator/Director or Dean of Nursing/Nurse Administrator for details. Drug-Free School and Workplace Policy In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (34 CFR Part 85), Rasmussen University campuses are hereby declared a drug-free university and workplace. For more information visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention website at www.edc.org/. Students are prohibited from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance or alcohol anywhere on property belonging to the University including but not limited to grounds, parking areas, or anywhere within the building(s); or while participating in university-related activities including but not limited to externships, practicum, or clinical experiences. Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. As a condition of enrollment, students must abide by the terms of this policy or the University will take one or more of the following actions within 30 days with respect to any student who violates this policy: 1. Reporting the violation to law enforcement officials. 2. Taking appropriate disciplinary action against such student, up to and including expulsion or termination of enrollment. 3. Requiring such student to participate in a substance abuse rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a federal, state, local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency. In compliance with the law, the University will make a good faith effort to maintain a drug-free university through implementation of the preceding policy and will establish and maintain a drug-free and alcohol awareness program, https://guides.rasmussen.edu/DAAP. Upon enrollment and on an annual basis, students will receive a copy of the Rasmussen University Drug-Free School and Workplace Policy, list of applicable sanctions under federal, state, or local laws, description of health risks, list of drug and alcohol programs that are available, and list of imposed disciplinary sanctions for students. The federal government has taken a number of legal steps to curb drug abuse and distribution. These anti-drug laws affect several areas of our lives. For instance, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provides public housing funds, has the authority to evict residents found to be involved in drug-related crimes on or near the public housing premises. Businesses with federal contracts are subject to a loss of those contracts if they do not promote a drug-free environment. In our particular situation, students involved with drugs could lose their eligibility for financial aid. Further, they could also be denied other federal benefits, disability, retirement, health, welfare, and Social Security. Finally, a record of a felony or conviction in a drug-related crime may prevent a person from entering certain career fields. Drugs and alcohol are highly addictive and injurious to the person and can cause harmful effects to virtually every aspect of a person’s life (e.g., relationships, family, job, school, physical, and emotional health). People who use drugs and alcohol may lose their sense of responsibility, become restless, irritable, paranoid, depressed, inattentive, anxious, or experience sexual indifference, loss of physical coordination and appetite, go into a coma, experience convulsions, or even death. Persons who use drugs and alcohol not only face health risks, but also their ability to function in their personal and professional lives can be impaired. Some examples of this are a hangover, or a feeling of being “burnt out,” being preoccupied with plans for the next drink or “high,” or slowed reflexes that can be especially dangerous while driving. There are danger signals that could indicate when someone is in trouble with drugs or alcohol: • inability to get along with family or friends • uncharacteristic temper flare-ups • increased “secret” type behavior • abrupt changes in mood or attitude • resistance to discipline at home or school • getting into a “slump” at work or school • increased borrowing of money • a complete set of new friends We recommend that any person observing any of the above changes in any student of Rasmussen University immediately notify the Campus Executive Director. A. Drug Abuse Policy Rasmussen University is committed to providing a safe, drug-free environment for its students and employees, based on our concern for the safety, health, and welfare of our students and their families, as well as our employees and the community. The University also wishes to avoid unnecessary financial losses due to drug or other intoxicant use among its students and employees. Consistent with this commitment, Rasmussen University strictly prohibits: 1. The presence of students or employees on campus or off campus at activities sponsored by the University, while under the influence of intoxicants, drugs, or any other controlled substances. 2. The use, manufacturing, furnishing, possession, transfer, or trafficking of intoxicants, illegal drugs, or controlled substances in any amount, in any manner, or at any time on Rasmussen University campuses or off campus at activities sponsored and controlled by the University. Rasmussen University has the right to: 1. Discipline students, including dismissal, for felony convictions regarding illegal use, possession, or trafficking of drugs. 2. Take disciplinary action against students who violate this policy. Students may also be suspended pending outcome of an investigation regarding compliance with this policy.
