Panther's Voice

PBSC is committed to making college programs, services and spaces accessible to everyone. Accessibility at the College includes providing accessible campus facilities, creating digital content that is easy to use, and offering accommodations when additional support is needed.

Report an Accessibility Issue

If you are an employee, student, or member of the community who has experienced an accessibility issue, we encourage you to let us know. This includes physical barriers, such as a broken elevator or entrances that do not meet ADA standards, as well as websites, online documents, or other digital materials that are difficult to access or use.

Report an Accessibility Concern

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 Student Ombudsman.

The core team also includes:

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

Members of the team participate in training through National Association for Behavioral and Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA). 

 

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.  |  View Report

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.

 

Palm Beach State College is committed to an academic and working environment free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination or retaliation. View Board Policy 6Hx-18-5.86, "Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Policy"

All employees, students, prospective employees and students, and members of the community who believe they may have been harassed, discriminated can file a formal complaint.

Where do I start?

Please select the option below that best matches your situation so we can direct you to the appropriate complaint form.

Student filing a complaint against another student

Employee/Student/Community Member filing a complaint against faculty or staff

 

Support & Rights for Pregnant/ Parenting Students

Pregnant and parenting students are also protected under Title IX. If pregnancy, childbirth, recovery, or pregnancy-related conditions are affecting your ability to succeed in your classes, the College may be able to provide support and academic adjustments to help you continue your education.

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 departments 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. 

• 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 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.)

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 Complaint Procedure

In compliance with United States Department of Education regulations, follow this link for information about filing a distance learning/online learning complaint.