144 rasmussen.edu | 888-5-RASMUSSEN ACADEMIC INFORMATION AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES ALL CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ADDENDUM Overview This policy outlines Rasmussen’s commitment to preventing and addressing sex discrimination and sexual misconduct under Title IX. It provides information about reporting procedures, available support, and grievance procedures to ensure a fair and transparent resolution of reported Title IX incidents. Definitions • Complainant: A student or employee who is alleged to have been subjected to conduct that could constitute sex discrimination under Title IX or its regulations; or a person other than a student or employee who is alleged to have been subjected to conduct that could constitute sex discrimination under Title IX or its regulations and who was participating or attempting to participate in Rasmussen’s education program or activity at the time of the alleged sex discrimination. • Consent: “Consent” has no definition in federal law and is defined differently across states and local jurisdictions. For purposes of alleged sexual misconduct filed under this policy, Rasmussen follows and applies the definition of consent of the state or jurisdiction of the campus on which the alleged incident occurred (for online programs, the relevant state is Minnesota). If the state or jurisdiction does not define consent in its laws, Rasmussen will apply the Illinois definition as stated below. The definition of consent for each state in which Rasmussen has a residential campus is reproduced here: – 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)) – 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; • (b) The person is asleep or unconscious; • (c) The person is under age; or • (d) The person is incapacitated due to a mental disability. (110 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 155/10(1)) – Kansas: Kansas Statutes do not define “consent” as of February 2025. – Minnesota: • “(a) ‘Consent’ means words or overt actions by a person indicating a freely given present agreement to perform a particular sexual act with the actor. Consent does not mean the existence of a prior or current social relationship between the actor and the Complainant or that the Complainant failed to resist a particular sexual act. • (b) A person who is mentally incapacitated or physically helpless as defined by this section cannot consent to a sexual act. • (c) Corroboration of the victim’s testimony is not required to show lack of consent.” “Physically helpless” means that a person is “(a) asleep or not conscious, (b) unable to withhold consent or to withdraw consent because of a physical condition, or (c) unable to communicate nonconsent and the condition is known or reasonably should have been known to the actor.” (Minn. Stat. § 609.341, subd. 4 and 9) – North Dakota: The North Dakota Century Code does not define “consent” as of February 2025. – Wisconsin: “Consent . . . means words or overt actions by a person who is competent to give informed consent indicating a freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact. . . . The following persons are presumed incapable of consent, but the presumption may be rebutted by competent evidence . . . • (a) A person suffering from a mental illness or defect, which impairs capacity to appraise personal conduct. • (b) A person who is unconscious or for any other reason is physically unable to communicate unwillingness to an act.” (Wis. Stat. § 940.225(4)) – Verbal statements or non-verbal actions which a reasonable person would understand to mean a voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. Someone who is incapacitated cannot consent. Past consent does not imply future 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-experience/title-ix. The full Title IX Policy 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 Classroom IT Support by contacting [email protected] or 833-606-1909 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®, Google® My Business, Instagram®, LinkedIn®, Pinterest®, TargetX®SchoolsApp, Threads, TikTok® Yelp®, YouTube®, and X (formerly Twitter®) or any other forums and social media platforms must be followed. Student Location The state in which a student is located is determined from their address in Rasmussen’s student information system. The student information system is populated with the address from the student’s application at the time of initial enrollment. A student’s address may be updated at any time by the student (via the Student Portal) or by university personnel acting at the student’s request. Relocation to another state after enrollment may adversely impact the student’s ability to complete the program. Title IX Policy Notice of Non-Discrimination Rasmussen University is committed to providing an educational and working environment free from discrimination based on sex, in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Rasmussen prohibits sexual harassment, sexual violence, and gender-based discrimination including pregnancy or related conditions in any of its educational programs or activities. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, and third parties within the Rasmussen community.
