2021-22 Student Handbook

College Vision

Palm Beach State College is nationally recognized as an innovative academic leader advancing student success through its unparalleled commitment to excellence, engagement, and dynamic partnerships.

College Mission

Palm Beach State College provides accessible, student-centered teaching and learning experiences in academic, technical, and lifelong learning to transform lives and strengthen our community.

College Values

Transformational: We provide pathways and opportunities that positively and profoundly change the lives of our constituents.

Conscientious: We will serve the College, community, and global society as we aspire to always do what is right, just, and fair.

Optimistic: We inspire hope and encouragement in our constituents for the achievement of their goals and in the pursuit of lifelong learning.

Accreditation

Palm Beach State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Palm Beach State College.

This handbook is an information supplement to the College Catalog. Additional information is available from appropriate department(s) should further questions arise.

Upon request, this publication is available in alternative formats to persons with disabilities. The College's Center for Student Accessibility at 561-868-3371 (V/TTY) can assist with these requests.

District Board of Trustees

Wendy S. Link, Esq., Chair

Carolyn L. Williams, Vice Chair

Patrice Bishop

Melissa Friedman-Levine, MD

Omar Soto

Tarruck Wheeler, Student Trustee

Nondiscrimination Policy

Palm Beach State College, an equal access/equal opportunity institution, complies with all applicable state and federal laws granting rights to applicants for employment or admission to the College, employees, and students and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, pregnancy status, and any other factor protected under the law, state or federal, in employment, admissions, or educational programs and activities.

The following offices have been designated to ensure compliance and handle inquiries or concerns regarding the nondiscrimination requirements of the Title II of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972:

For more information regarding the ADA at Palm Beach State College click here. Or you may send an email to StudentAccessibility@palmbeachstate.edu, call 561-868-3734 or contact our office on your campus.

Belle Glade: Center for Student Accessibility

1977 College Drive, CRA 105.7, Belle Glade, FL 33430-3699

561-790-9022

Boca Raton: Center for Student Accessibility

801 Palm Beach State College Drive, AD 135, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6490

561-862-4314

Lake Worth: Center for Student Accessibility

4200 Congress Avenue, BK 110, Lake Worth, FL 33461-4796

561-868-3554

Loxahatchee Groves: Center for Student Accessibility

15845 Southern Boulevard, LGA 103, Loxahatchee, FL 33470-9204

561-790-9022

Palm Beach Gardens: Center for Student Accessibility

3160 PGA Boulevard, BR 128, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-2893

561-207-5345

This publication can be made available in alternate formats to persons with disabilities. Please make requests well in advance of need to:

Kathleen Karran-McCoy

Dean of Student Development and Ombudsman

Palm Beach State College

4200 Congress Avenue, MS #54, Lake Worth, FL 33461-4796

Telephone: 561-868-3371 (V/TTY)

Palm Beach State College is committed to an academic and working environment free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation threatens the legitimate expectation of all members of the College community that the campus environment will be conducive to work or study. Preventing harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation is the responsibility of the entire College. It is contrary to the College policy for any individual to engage in retaliatory action against a person who files a harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination complaint. Accordingly, Palm Beach State College encourages all employees and students who believe they are being subjected to harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation by an employee or third party to follow the outlined complaint procedures. Students who believe they have been subjected to harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation by another student should consult the Student Code of Conduct/Student Handbook. The College will take prompt disciplinary action against individuals, including third parties, at any locations who engage in actions that violate this policy. The College will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Palm Beach State College is committed to providing prompt and equitable resolutions to students' complaints in accordance with college policy, state statutes and federal regulations. If a student or prospective student believes their complaint has not been addressed satisfactorily after exhausting all available complaint procedures outlined by the College, they have the right to file an external complaint with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), the College’s accreditation agency, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Office of Civil Rights and for distance education students the FL-SARA PRDEC Council:

FLDOE--Contact the Division of Florida Colleges.

SACSCOC--should be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support the College's noncompliance with an accreditation requirement or standard. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500.

A student may file a complaint of discrimination with the Office of Civil Rights.

Distance Education students, who have completed an applicable internal institutional grievance process as described at:

• Academic Issues and Procedures Form
• Sexual Misconduct/Harassment Complaints Title IX report Form
• Harassment/Discrimination Involving PBSC Employees Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and/or Retaliation Form and the applicable state grievance process, as outlined above (FLDOE, SACSCOC and Office of Civil Rights) may appeal non‐instructional complaints to the FL-SARA PRDEC Council.

For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process page.

Distance Education students, who have completed PBSC complaint process, may also file non‐instructional complaints to the FL-SARA PRDEC Council. For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process page.

Gainful Employment

Palm Beach State College has voluntarily elected to adopt the early rescission of the 2014 Gainful Employment regulations in their entirety in accordance with the Department of Education, June 28, 2019, Electronic Announcement #122. This declaration is effective June 28, 2019 and has been recorded in the school’s official records.