RCTC assigned student e-mail accounts shall be the primary means of communicating with students. The College also retains the right to send official correspondence through traditional communication methods.
Part 1. Implementation
All students enrolled in credit bearing coursework will be assigned an official RCTC e-mail account. Official college communications shall be sent to this account, including, but not limited to, campus emergency announcements, notifications of college-related activities, academic and administrative actions, and other official College communications. Confidentiality regarding student records shall be protected in accordance with FERPA, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and applicable Minnesota State policies and procedures.
Part 2. Student Obligations
Implementation of this student e-mail policy places certain obligations on each student.
a) Students understand they have been given a college e-mail account by virtue of attending RCTC.
b) Students shall adhere to proper and appropriate use of e-mail in accordance with RCTC Student Conduct Policy 3.6 and Minnesota State Policy 5.22.
c) Students shall responsibly manage their e-mail account on a frequent and consistent basis (i.e. archiving attachments, deleting old messages, etc.).
d) Students understand that the College may supplement electronic communication with traditional communication methods when necessary.
Part 3. College Obligations
Implementation of this student e-mail policy places certain obligations on the College and employees.
a) The College will not disclose student email addresses except as permitted by law, College policy, or student authorization. The College will take reasonable measures to reduce unsolicited bulk email and protect information technology resources.
b) The College will provide reasonable access to technology resources and internet-enabled services necessary to access official communications.
Part 4. Forwarding of e-mail
The college will not automatically send or forward e-mail messages to non-college accounts. Students who choose to forward their email do so at their own risk. Failure to receive a forwarded email does not relieve a student of responsibility for communications sent to their official College email account. The College is not responsible for the handling, privacy, or security of email by outside vendors or unofficial services.
Part 5. Course-related use of email
Faculty may use a student’s official College email account as a valid mechanism for communicating with students enrolled in their courses and may establish email-related expectations for instructional purposes.
Part 6. Procedure
Persons wishing to send an e-mail broadcast message to student e-mail accounts shall submit their request to the Vice President of Student Affairs in accordance with RCTC Procedure 2.15.1. Requests should be submitted at least ten days in advance. Emergency notifications and operational communications may be distributed through authorized College processes as needed.
Part 7. Privacy of e-mail
RCTC uses various methods to protect the security of its computer and network resources and of its users’ accounts. Users should be aware that any electronic communications and data utilizing college-owned computer and network resources may be disclosed under the College, state, and federal laws and regulations or for appropriate college business needs.
Date of Implementation: Immediately
Date of Adoption: 7/22/2003
Revisions Adopted: 2/28/2017, 10/2/2026