Student and Online User Conduct Policy

The purpose of this policy is to govern the conduct of students in the classroom, at learning sites, and online and applies to any individual who accesses and uses Rasmussen University websites, social media sites, and the Rasmussen App. While some behavior, such as the violation of privacy laws and discrimination, must be treated in a punitive manner, the intent of this information is to provide guardrails for behavior both in the classroom, at a clinical or practicum site, and online.

Students are expected to conduct themselves with the same standards of behavior as are expected in the workplace and in the community at large. Rasmussen University, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student whose conduct is detrimental to the educational environment and/or engages in misconduct. Rasmussen University also reserves the right to refuse re-enrollment of a student that has been dismissed from Rasmussen University because of misconduct. For purposes of this policy, misconduct includes but is not limited to conduct:

• That is detrimental within the classroom environment.
• That interferes with the well-being of fellow students or faculty and staff members.
• That causes damage to the appearance or structure of Rasmussen University facility, equipment, or systems.
• By students who otherwise display conduct detrimental to their own academic progress or ultimate success in the field for which they are being educated.
• By students who copy or otherwise plagiarize the assignments/projects of fellow students or others; please see the Academic Integrity Policy in the Rasmussen University Catalog at www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/course-catalog for full details.

Please note that additional 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, which is provided to students during programmatic orientation.

Social Media Platforms, Apps, and Online Posts: Rasmussen University social media accounts are intended to provide information about our program offerings, campus locations, and the Rasmussen University experience. This policy applies to all interactions and content posted, shared, and uploaded to our social media accounts, including but not limited to: Facebook®, Google® My Business, Instagram®, LinkedIn®, Pinterest®, Threads, TikTok®, Yelp®, YouTube®, X (formerly Twitter®), the Rasmussen University App, or any other forums and social media platforms.

For purposes of this policy, a user is defined as anyone who accesses and uses any Rasmussen University social media platforms, apps, and online posts within such social media platforms, apps, or website managed, owned, or operated by Rasmussen University or a vendor. When engaging with our social media accounts, users must:

• Stay on topic, be respectful of other users, and use common courtesy.
• Refrain from posting any personal, identifying, confidential, or other legally protected information.
• Not share content or work that is not owned by the poster. Users may not post others’ work or personal information unless they have received prior written consent by the owner of the content.
• Refrain from posting fraudulent or fake information or content.

The Rasmussen University social media accounts are public and are managed and 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-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.