Conduct and Disciplinary Action Policy

Students are expected to uphold standards of behavior that reflect those commonly expected in professional workplaces and the broader community. The Academic Unit maintains the authority to take disciplinary action against any student whose conduct negatively impacts the educational environment. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• conduct that is disruptive or detrimental to the learning environment, such as verbal or physical abuse, outbursts, threats, harassment, and failure to maintain reasonable hygiene in an in-person classroom environment.
• conduct that interferes with the well-being of fellow students or faculty and staff members, including conduct that contributes to an unsafe environment.
• conduct that involves unauthorized, non-approved use of technology like Bluetooth, cellular, and video devices used to record, photograph, or transmit classroom or program activities except wherein such technology or devices are permitted or approved as academic accommodation. For purposes of this policy, “permitted” includes but is not limited to instructor or course lead authorization, or permitted as part of specific course requirements, or approved academic accommodations.
• conduct that poses safety or security risks and/or causes damage to the appearance or structure of the Academic Unit's facility, network, or its equipment, including any unauthorized entry or use of the Academic Unit and clinical facilities or engagement in theft.
• conduct that fails to abide by other policies related to student conduct, including but not limited to the Alcohol and Drug-Free Campus Policy, Weapons Policy, Anti-Hazing Policy, and Policy Against Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation.
• conduct involving the deliberate falsification, alteration, or invention of student records; sharing of usernames and passwords; or otherwise engaging in activities to gain an unfair advantage.
• conduct that fails to comply with disciplinary sanctions, corrective actions, or directives issued by the Academic Unit or its representatives.
• conduct that is detrimental to the student’s 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 Academic Unit has failed to meet the minimum requirements for restrooms and changing facilities if they so determine.
  

Additional conduct expectations for School of Nursing students or students enrolled in select School of Health Sciences programs can be found in each programmatic handbook, as applicable.

Conduct Review and Interim Measures Pending Investigation

All reports or allegations of student conduct that may constitute a violation of this policy will be promptly reviewed and investigated by the appropriate Academic Unit representative. The purpose of this review is to determine whether further action is necessary to address potential violations of policy, ensure the integrity of the learning environment, and support the safety and well-being of the academic community.

During the review and investigation of a reported conduct concern, the Academic Unit may implement interim measures as necessary to ensure the continued safety and orderly operation of the academic environment, as outlined below.

Interim Measures Pending Investigation

In situations where the Academic Unit receives information alleging conduct that may pose a risk to the safety, well-being, or orderly operation of the learning environment, the Academic Unit may impose interim administrative measures prior to the completion of an investigation.

Interim measures are non-disciplinary, precautionary actions and do not constitute a definite and final finding of responsibility. Interim measures may include, but are not limited to:

• Temporary restriction from attending classes or clinical placements
• Temporary restriction from accessing learning systems or facilities
• Administrative separation from instructional activities pending investigation outcome
  

The Academic Unit will seek to complete investigations involving interim measures as promptly as reasonably possible.

Upon completion of the investigation, the matter will be resolved through issuing a finding of no responsibility or the assignment of a Level One or Level Two Consequence in accordance with this policy.

Disciplinary Actions

Disciplinary measures may include, but are not limited to, verbal or written warnings, suspension from the Academic Unit, dismissal from the Academic Unit, or administrative actions affecting the student’s academic record, including the invalidation, removal, or revocation of grades or academic credit obtained through misconduct or fraud. The severity of the disciplinary action will be determined based on the nature and seriousness of the violation, the student’s history of prior violations, and the overall impact on the academic community.

Disciplinary Action: Level One Consequences

Level One consequences are typically issued by course faculty or a responsible administrator such as an academic leader or Campus/Online Executive Director and are the result of conduct that is considered less severe and may be intentional or unintentional in nature. These violations of conduct may occur due to gaps in communication, misunderstandings, and/or minor disputes. Level One consequences follow a progressive corrective structure that may increase in formality based on nature, frequency, or continuation of conduct. It is not the responsibility of the Academic Unit to identify the intentionality of conduct violations. Records of the incident(s) will be documented by the Academic Unit.

Level One Consequences:

• Documented verbal warning
• Documented written warning
• Documented written warning with completion of a Conduct Improvement Plan

Students who receive a written warning and subject to completing a Conduct Improvement Plan must complete and submit the plan within 5 business days of receiving the written warning. Students who do not complete the plan may be subject to dismissal. Students who are dismissed due to misconduct are not eligible to re-enroll in any program within the Academic Unit.

Disciplinary Action: Level Two Consequences

Level Two consequences are issued by the Campus/Online Executive Director and are the result of conduct that is considered more severe and egregious and may be intentional or unintentional in nature. Level Two consequences may result from the severity of conduct or from repeated or unresolved Level One violations indicating a pattern of repeated conduct and/or increased severity. It is not the responsibility of the Academic Unit to identify the intentionality of conduct violations. Records of the incident(s) will be documented by the Academic Unit.

Level Two Consequences:

• Disciplinary Suspension with completion of a Conduct Improvement Plan
• Dismissal from the Academic Unit

A suspension may affect a student’s academic progress, course enrollment, clinical placement eligibility, grades, and financial aid status. The Academic Unit reserves the right to administratively withdraw a student from courses, assign grades in accordance with Academic Unit grading policies, and determine the appropriate academic status resulting from the suspension.

Students are responsible for contacting the appropriate Academic Unit offices regarding the potential academic, financial, or enrollment implications associated with a suspension.

Suspension does not relieve a student of financial obligations incurred prior to the suspension.

Completion of the suspension period does not automatically reinstate a student. The student must complete all required components of their Conduct Improvement Plan and receive approval from the Campus/Online Executive Director prior to returning to academic or clinical activities.

Students who are dismissed due to misconduct are not eligible to re-enroll in any program within the Academic Unit.

Conduct Disciplinary Action Appeal

A student who is subject to a disciplinary action due to misconduct under this policy may submit an appeal only if one or more of the following applies:

• The conduct alleged did not occur, or the student was not responsible for the conduct as determined,
• The disciplinary action is disproportionate to the severity of the conduct and disciplinary standards, and/or
• There is evidence of a conflict of interest, bias, or retaliatory behavior that substantially affected the determination of the disciplinary action.

Appeals outside the scope of the aforementioned reasons, or appeals that are used to justify conduct, or generally disagree with the original decision, without explanation as to how the appeal applies to the above reasons listed above, may be deemed ineligible for review.

To initiate the appeal, the student must submit a completed Conduct Disciplinary Action Appeal Form within five (5) business days of receipt of the disciplinary action decision. The appeal form is available at: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/disputeresolutionpolicies.

Accepted appeals will be reviewed by the Conduct Disciplinary Action Appeal Committee, which will issue a written decision within ten (10) business days of receipt of the appeal. The appeal review is limited to the grounds identified above and is not a re-evaluation of the original conduct determination. The Committee may uphold the disciplinary action, overturn the disciplinary action, or modify the outcome to an alternative disciplinary action. The decision of the Conduct Disciplinary Action Appeal Committee is final.