Panther's Voice

Palm Beach State College is an equal access equal opportunity institution. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to applicants for employment or admission to the College, employees, and students.

The College prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or pregnancy status in any of its employment, or educational programs or activities.

Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, is prohibited.

Where do I start?

If a student believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or harassment based on their disability, they may file a complaint online.  

Report an ADA/504 concern

For more information on Student Accessibility, please visit the Center for Student Accessibility's website.

 

Panther Care Team

At Palm Beach State College, we’re here to support you.

We have a team and a process to help when a student shows behavior that seems concerning, disruptive, threatening, or harmful. By identifying these behaviors early, we can step in with support and guidance. We aim to help students overcome challenges, make positive changes, and stay on track for academic success.

Report concerning behaviors

The Panther Care Team is co-chaired by the Director of Student Life and the Title IX Coordinator.

The core team also includes:

• Representatives from Student Services for each campus
• Director of Student Well-being
• Campus Safety and Risk Management Director
• Student Conduct Coordinator
• Two representatives from the faculty

Members of the team participate in training through National Association for Behavioral and Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA).  The assessment tool used is the NABITA Risk Rubric.

 

The evaluation of academic work is the responsibility of the faculty member. The method for assigning the final course grade is established by the faculty member.

Criteria for an appeal are: An error in the calculation of the grade or the assignment of a grade was a substantial departure from the faculty member's previously printed standards in the course syllabus.

Where do I start? 

Speak to or email your professor and share your concern. If you are not satisfied with the outcome use the appropriate form below to submit a formal complaint.

Create a Final Grade Appeal

For more information, consult the Grade Appeal Policy and Procedure in the Student Handbook.

 

Hazing is prohibited. As outlined in Florida Statue 1006.63, the statue defines hazing to mean "any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution."

Hazing includes, but is not limited to:

• pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law
• any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student
• any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student.

Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.

The College's Policy 6Hx-18-3.41 outlines student/student organization consequences for Hazing.

 

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Palm Beach State College complies with the Stop Campus Hazing Act to publish a "Campus Hazing Transparency Report" disclosing reported incidents for the last five years. Since 2020, the College has had no reported incidents.

Need to report an incident?  File a Student Conduct Incident Report

External Hazing Prevention Websites

•  stophazing.org
• hazingpreventionnetwork.org

If you have been a victim or witness to hazing please feel free to contact the National Anti-Hazing Hotline, toll-free, at 1-888-NOT-HAZE. All information will remain confidential.

 

Students experiencing issues related to sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, pregnancy and/or parenting have access to services and support through the Title IX Coordinator. Whether these issues result from inappropriate actions on the part of another student or a staff or faculty member, you have rights

Where do I start?

File a complaints against another student

File a complaints against faculty or staff

Pregnancy/Parenting Supportive Measures Request Form

 

For more information:

Option 1:  Visit the PBSC Title IX website. 

Option 2:  Consult with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) - How the Office for Civil Rights Handles Complaints

Option 3:  Consult PBSC Board of Trustee policies 

Option 4:  Consult your Student Handbook.

 

The Campus Safety department consists of trained, non-sworn personnel who maintain security and administrative operations for the College. They respond to accidents and incidents on campus property to document the incident and provide resource information.

Palm Beach State works hard to maintain a culture of reporting, or a "See Something/Say Something" atmosphere on campus.

Where do I start?

Students can call the Campus Safety department at 561-868-3600 to report a concern.

Students have access to a Campus Safety offices on all five campuses.  Learn more by visiting the Campus Safety website

 

The campus Dean of Student Services or designee is responsible for addressing violations of the Student Code of Conduct as listed under the Student Handbook.

Where do I start?

Report a Student Code of Conduct violation

 

Palm Beach State College recognizes that sometimes a student feels unfairly treated or would like further clarification of a rule or policy. We want to assist you with these concerns.

This complaint procedure applies to any complaint other than those listed below. 

• Complaints related to discrimination or harassment of students based on disability, race, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy or any other protected status, see Policy 6Hx18-5.86.
• Final Course Grade Appeal, see Student Handbook, Academic Policies section.
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for Financial Aid Recipients
• Student Records Amendment Appeal Process, contact the Registrar Office to arrange a hearing.
• Refund/Late Withdraw Request, see Student Handbook, Financial Information section.
• Appeal of the 100 Percent Payment of Full Cost of Instruction, see Student Handbook, Academic Policies section.
• Conduct Appeal, see Student Handbook, Formal Conduct Hearing section.
   

Informal Complaint Process

Students are encouraged to reach out to the appropriate first point of contact. See the Student Handbook for the contact list. The College also has an Ombudsman to guide students in resolving conflicts and in processing appeals through established procedures.

Formal Complaint Process

Any student whose complaint has not been resolved through the informal process can complete and submit a Student Problem Resolution Form. (To be considered a written student complaint, a student must submit a formal complaint utilizing the form. This excludes reports regarding Title IX and discrimination/harassment. These reports can be submitted in any format.)

Once the form is submitted, the case is assigned to the appropriate administrator within two (2) business days.

Within three (3) business days of being assigned the complaint, the administrator will contact the student to review and clarify the complaint, identify a course of action and time frame for resolution and provide their contact information. Complaints should be resolved within thirty calendar days; students will be notified if this time frame needs to be extended and the reason for the extension. The student will be notified in writing as to the final outcome of the complaint. The decision of the administrator is final.

Formal complaints involving a member of the Faculty will be resolved using the process outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

 

Distance Learning/Online Learning Complaint Process

In compliance with United States Department of Education regulations, follow this link for information about filing consumer complaints.