Title IX Policy

Reporting an Incident of Sexual Misconduct, and Resources for Victims/Survivors

Rasmussen University policy strongly condemns and expressly prohibits sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment and stalking. The full Title IX Policy can be found in the University Catalog/Addendum.

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Reporting an Incident to the University

Anyone—whether a student, employee, bystander, witness or other third-party—may report an incident of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment or stalking. A report may be made through the Online Reporting System, to college authorities, external resources or to law enforcement. Contact information for all of these options is provided below. Also, please scroll down to review important considerations in the Victim’s/Survivor’s Rights and Options section of this page.

Confidentiality

Reports made through the Online Reporting System or to university personnel will be kept confidential within the scope of the investigation and to the extent allowed under law, but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in every circumstance.

Online Reporting System

Resources

Victims'/Survivors' Rights and Options

  1. If sexual assault is alleged, the victim/survivor is strongly encouraged to preserve physical evidence of the sexual assault. No attempt should be made to bathe, change clothes, or otherwise clean prior to examination by a medical practitioner to make determinations regarding sexual assault. The preservation of physical evidence is very important for any criminal or civil action that the victim/survivor may choose to pursue against the Respondent and will also be useful in the grievance process. A medical forensic examination shall be completed at no cost to the victim/survivor and may be conducted at any medical facility. A list of medical facilities near each campus can be found at: https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/title-ix/.
  2. A victim/survivor is strongly encouraged to create a detailed written summary of the incident while the memory is still clear.
  3. A victim/survivor has a right to privacy, which includes the decision whether to report or not report an alleged incident to Rasmussen, law enforcement, both, or neither. At the request of the victim/survivor, Rasmussen employees will promptly assist the victim/survivor in making a report.
    1. Even if the victim/survivor declines to report an alleged incident to Rasmussen, the Title IX Coordinator may initiate an inquiry if the alleged conduct presents an imminent and serious threat to someone’s health or safety or prevents Rasmussen from ensuring equal access based on sex to its education program or activity.
  4. Rasmussen personnel must treat a victim/survivor with dignity and shall not suggest to a victim/survivor that the victim/survivor is at fault for the crimes or violations that occurred, or that the victim/survivor should have acted in a different manner to avoid such a crime.
  5. A victim/survivor may contact directly, or may request assistance from Rasmussen personnel to access fair and respectful healthcare, mental health, counseling, and advocacy services that are available in the victim’s/survivor’s area. A list of services can be found at: https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/title-ix/.
  6. Confidentiality and privacy will be maintained within the scope of the grievance process and among Rasmussen personnel, to the extent allowed under law, but cannot be guaranteed in every circumstance.
    1. Confidentiality and privacy are best protected when reports are made through the Online Reporting System or to the Title IX Coordinator. Incidents reported to Rasmussen employees will be escalated, but confidentiality and privacy may be lessened due to the circumstances of the reporting.
    2. Rasmussen shall not disclose the identity of the victim/survivor or the Respondent, except as necessary to resolve the reported incident or to implement supportive measures and accommodations or when provided by State or federal law.
    3. A party to the alleged conduct may share information with their advocate, or other support person who is not a fact witness.
    4. The Respondent has due process rights, which include the right to be informed of the allegations and their source.
    5. In some circumstances, Rasmussen may need to warn the campus community or alert law enforcement of a continued threat of harm to others.
  7. The victim/survivor of an alleged sexual assault may decide when to repeat a description of the alleged sexual assault incident.
  8. Notice shall be provided to the victim/survivor of the outcome of any inquiry or investigation concerning a report consistent with laws relating to data practices.
  9. At the direction of law enforcement authorities, Rasmussen shall assist in obtaining, securing, and maintaining evidence in connection with a sexual assault incident.
  10. Rasmussen shall assist the victim/survivor in preserving, in instances of alleged sexual assault, materials relevant to the grievance process, or any disciplinary proceeding.
  11. Supportive measures:
    1. A victim/survivor may request the Title IX Coordinator or a Rasmussen employee to implement supportive measures as are reasonably available to shield or otherwise mitigate the potential for future unwanted interactions between the victim/survivor and the Respondent during and after the grievance process and resolution.
    2. Rasmussen shall act promptly to institute interim protective measures, which may include:
      1. Changes to classroom, academic, and working situations, as they are available and feasible;
      2. Obtaining and enforcing campus no contact orders; and
      3. Cooperating with law enforcement authorities and honoring an order of protection or no contact order entered by a State civil or criminal court.
    3. Rasmussen prohibits the implementation of any conditions or contingencies to receiving financial aid or supportive measures unless the victim/survivor signs a nondisclosure agreement.
  12. Retaliation is forbidden against victims/survivors, good-faith reporters, and certain other persons as outlined in the Rasmussen Title IX Policy.
  13. A victim/survivor may have a support person of their choice, who is not a fact witness, accompany them to any meeting or proceeding related to an alleged violation of this policy.
    1. The support person must comply with all rules and Rasmussen policies regarding their role.
    2. Involvement of a support person shall not be permitted if it results in undue delay of the meeting or proceeding.
    3. The support person may not participate or contribute to a meeting or proceeding unless invited to participate or contribute by the Rasmussen employee leading the meeting or proceeding.
    4. The support person may not engage in behavior or advocacy that harasses, abuses, or intimidates either party, a witness, or an individual resolving the alleged incident.
    5. Rasmussen may prohibit a support person from being involved in meetings or procedures for violations of this policy.
  14. The victim/survivor is entitled to simultaneous, written notification of the outcome of the investigation, including information regarding appeal rights, within seven (7) days of a decision or sooner if required by state or federal law.
  15. A victim/survivor who subsequently chooses to transfer to another postsecondary institution may request that Rasmussen provide them with information about resources for victims/survivors at the institution to which the victim/survivor is transferring.
  16. Consistent with laws governing access to student records, a victim/survivor will be provided access to their description of the incident as it was reported to Rasmussen, including if the victim/survivor transfers to another institution.