Academic Recognition
Attendance at First Class
Audit and Withdrawal Policies
Enrollment Status
Grades
Graduation
Policy Changes
Prerequisites
Security of Student Records
Student Conduct
Unpaid Accounts

Academic Recognition

PRESIDENT’S LIST
At the end of the fall and spring terms, any student carrying a full academic load (12 hours for which they receive credit, excluding institutional credit) and earning a term grade point average of 3.8 or higher will be placed on the President’s List. At the end of the spring term, any part-time student who has accumulated 12 or more semester hours credit during the combined fall and spring terms with a combined term grade point average of 3.8 or higher will be placed on the President’s List.

DEAN’S LIST
At the end of fall and spring terms, any student carrying a full academic load (12 hours for which they receive credit, excluding institutional credit) and earning a term grade point average of 3.20 to 3.79 will be placed on the Dean’s List. At the end of spring term, any part-time student who has accumulated 12 or more semester hours credit during the combined fall and spring terms with a combined term grade point average of 3.20 to 3.79 will be placed on the Dean’s List.

STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS
PBCC requires each student to maintain reasonable academic progress. Any student not maintaining the minimum cumulative grade point average as specified in the Standards of Academic Progress (SOAP) policy will be placed on academic probation and could be suspended from college.

Financial Aid Student Note:
Students receiving Financial Aid are also affected by a separate “Standard of Academic Progress for Financial Aid Students Policy,” listed in the student handbook and at www.pbcc.edu/sap.xml.

Preparatory Course Note:
Preparatory courses will not be calculated in students’ Cumulative Grade Point Average, but will be used in calculations for term Grade Point Averages.

Good Academic Status
Students who are not on academic probation or dismissal from the College are considered in good academic status.

Students in credit programs must maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of:

• 1.4 or better for 1-14 semester hours attempted

• 1.6 or better for 15-27 semester hours attempted

• 1.8 or better for 28-45 semester hours attempted

• 2.0 or better for over 45 semester hours attempted

Academic Status Note: The College administration will continually assess the impact of the academic progression policy and make adjustments as necessary to the academic probation grade point average table above. It is anticipated that the cumulative grade point average required to remain in good academic standing will increase in the future. Therefore, it is imperative that students meet with an academic advisor regularly to discuss academic success issues and support services and to carefully plan their academic program.

Academic Probation
Probation will be continued as long as the student fails to achieve the standard cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for the number of hours attempted (see table above). Probation will be calculated at the end of each term. Transfer students whose CGPA does not meet the standard for good academic status will enroll on academic probation. Any student on academic probation will be limited in course load to a maximum of 12 semester hours during the fall, spring and summer terms.

Students on academic probation are required to meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for subsequent terms. Academic advisors are authorized to limit the number of hours and types of courses taken by students on academic probation. Academic probation is noted on the student’s permanent record.

Academic Suspension
Academic suspension is the first involuntary separation. Academic suspension results from a student’s failure, while on academic probation, to regain good academic standing or achieve a minimum 2.0 term grade point average (GPA). Suspension requires the student to stay out of school for one semester to reflect on their academic goals and level of commitment to education. Academic suspension is noted on the student’s permanent record. Students readmitted after an academic suspension will be on academic probation and must meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for classes.

Academic Dismissal
Academic dismissal is a subsequent involuntary separation imposed upon a student who, having been previously suspended from the college and readmitted, fails to regain good academic status or achieve a minimum 2.0 term grade point average (GPA). After one calendar year, students on academic dismissal are eligible to appeal for readmission to the College Admissions Appeals Committee. Academic dismissal is noted on the student’s permanent record. An appeal for readmission is not automatic, and the decision of the committee is final.

Note: Students on academic suspension or dismissal are eligible to enroll in PSAV or avocational courses.

Attendance at First Class
PBCC values instruction that begins at the first class meeting and/or lab session. Students who do not attend the first day of a class may be dropped from the course, depending upon the individual faculty member’s attendance policy. It is the student’s responsibility to read the course schedule notes and/or visit the course Web site.

The College policy of reinstating students who have been dropped due to College error supersedes individual faculty attendance policies.

Audit and Withdrawal Policies
Students may withdraw online using PantherWeb (www.pbcc.edu/PantherWeb.xml) or audit a class by filing an official Audit Request Form with the Registrar’s Office by the audit/withdrawal deadline. Deadlines are published in the registration calendar on the inside front cover of this catalog. In cases of non-standard beginning or ending dates, the audit deadline is the last day of add/drop, and the withdrawal deadline is 65 percent of the course session. Students with questions about audit and withdrawal deadlines should contact the Registrar’s Office.

International students and athletes must get authorization from their advisor before auditing or withdrawing from a class.

AUDIT
A student may be admitted to certain courses on an audit basis with the completed request form submitted prior to the deadline. Audit requests will not be processed after the add/drop period ends. Classes designated as audit during add/drop do not count as attempts. Students auditing a course must attend class, but they are not required to take tests and examinations. No audit students may change their schedule to seek credit in any course in which they are enrolled. Prerequisites, tuition and all special fees apply.

Courses taken for the third or fourth attempt, or for high school dual enrollment/early admission may not be audited. Students are not permitted to audit college preparatory courses, courses under a selected admission program, or vocational credit or noncredit courses. A student may not audit a course in which he or she received a grade of C or higher. An instructor may withdraw an audit student (XW) for non-attendance.

INSTRUCTOR WITHDRAWALS
Instructors may give a non-punitive WX grade for excessive absences for up to 65 percent of the course session. No WX grades shall be given after 65 percent of the course has elapsed. Instructors may also give a punitive (F, N, or U) grade for excessive absences, as defined in their syllabi, up to the end of the term.

Courses taken for audit are subject to the same attendance criteria; however, instructors may assign a grade of XW for excessive absences at any time throughout the term.

Note: Upon the third attempt of a credit course, a withdrawal (student or instructor) or audit will not be permitted and the student will receive a grade for the course.

STUDENT WITHDRAWALS
Students who withdraw from a course will receive a grade of W on their transcript. There is normally no refund for withdrawals submitted after the add/drop deadline (see the calendar in this catalog for deadlines); however, if a student has certain extenuating circumstances (such as death of family member or personal hospitalization), a refund may be considered. See Refund Appeals policy in the student handbook. Students considering withdrawing from any course are strongly encouraged to speak with an academic advisor to discuss any impact that a withdrawal may have financially or academically. Certain Limited Access programs prohibit course withdrawals. Speak with your program advisor for more information.

A student may not withdraw from a PSAV course that meets less than two times. The deadline to withdraw for each course is listed on the student’s Class Schedule printout. Students are permitted a maximum of two attempts and/or withdrawals per course.

Note: Upon the third attempt, the student will not be permitted to withdraw and will receive a grade for that course.

Enrollment Status

FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE CLASSIFICATION
A student is considered a sophomore when the student has completed 24 semester hours of credit, regardless of the number of terms the student has been in attendance. Until 24 hours of credit are completed, the student is a freshman.

FULL-TIME STUDENT
A student is considered a full-time student when enrolled in 12 or more semester hours of credit or 360 or more clock hours. Although audit and preparatory courses carry no credit, they are counted toward the student’s enrollment status. When determining a student’s enrollment status for Selective Service deferment or Veterans Administration benefits, noncredit and preparatory courses cannot be counted, but must be taken in addition to the required number of credit hours. Institutional credits (i.e., college preparatory classes) are included when determining a student’s enrollment status.

Note: Enrollment status may be defined differently for financial aid recipients.

STUDENT MAXIMUM COURSE LOAD
Most students are not permitted to enroll in more than 18 semester hours; however, a student who has at least a 3.2 cumulative average may enroll in a maximum of 21 semester hours.

Grades

GRADE CHANGE PROCEDURE
Students may approach instructors to initiate an Informal Grade Appeal process at any time after the final course grade is assigned. If students wish to appeal the grade further, a Formal Grade Appeal process must be initiated no later than the first thirty calendar days after classes begin in the subsequent fall or spring term. Additional Grade Appeal information is listed in the student handbook.

GRADE FORGIVENESS POLICY
Courses for which a grade of C or higher was earned may not be repeated. The last grade received will be used to calculate the grade point average (GPA). All grades from the third and subsequent attempts will be calculated in the GPA.

The Forgiveness Policy pertains only up to the time of the awarding of degree and does not extend beyond that time. No challenge examination (institutional, CLEP, AP, IB, etc.) may be used to forgive a grade. Institutions to which subsequent transfer is made may not necessarily honor this policy.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
The cumulative GPA is determined by dividing the total quality points earned by the total semester hours attempted (including all transfer credit). Quality points are assigned as follows:

A = 4 quality points per credit hour
B = 3 quality points per credit hour
C = 2 quality points per credit hour
D = 1 quality point per credit hour

Only the last attempt of a repeated course will be used in computing the grade point average (except for the third attempts and beyond that will be averaged); however, all grades appear on the student’s transcript. The PBCC grade point average is determined by dividing the total quality points earned at PBCC by the total semester hours attempted at PBCC. The term grade point average is determined by dividing the total quality points earned during a term by the total semester hours attempted during that term.

GRADE REPORTS
Grade reports are not mailed. Students may access grades via PantherWeb - www.pbcc.edu/PantherWeb.xml, or FACTS - www.FACTS.org, using their PBCC Personal Identification Number (PIN). Students who do not know their PIN may obtain it from the Admissions Office after presenting legal photo identification.

GRADING SYSTEM
A - Excellent
B - Good
C - Fair
D - Poor but Passing
F - Failure
I - Incomplete
L - Instructor Grade Late
N - No Pass
P - Pass
S - Satisfactory
U - Unsatisfactory
W - Student Withdrawl
WX - Withdrawn by Instructor for Excessive Absences
X - Audit
XW - Withdrawn for Excessive Absences (audited course)

Most avocational classes, including Learning to Go classes, will be assigned a grade of NG unless the course requires a record of attendance. In those cases where an NG is not the grade, an S or WX may be issued.

INCOMPLETE GRADES
Incomplete grades are automatically changed to punitive grades of F, N or U if not made up within 30 calendar days after classes begin in the subsequent fall or spring term. It is the student’s responsibility to complete all assignments and submit them to the instructor. Classes with incomplete grades may not be used to satisfy course prerequisites.

REPEATED COURSES AND ACADEMIC AVERAGE
Only courses for which a grade of D or F was earned or withdrawals may be repeated. A student may not audit a course in which a grade of C or higher was received. A student will be permitted a maximum of three attempts per course. Attempts include the original grade, repeats of course grades, audits (initiated after add/drop) and withdrawals (student or instructor). Upon the third attempt of a course, a withdrawal or audit will not be permitted and the student will receive the grade earned. This grade will be used in quality point average computation. All grades from the third and subsequent attempts will be calculated in the grade point average. A fourth attempt may be allowed only through the academic appeals process based on major extenuating circumstances. Fifth attempts are not allowed, and this may not be appealed. Credit can only be earned once per course, unless the course is designated as “repeatable”.

Note: Students will be assessed the full cost of instruction (out-of-state tuition), beginning with the third attempt for college preparatory and credit courses. Students may appeal the higher cost to the campus registrar through the add/drop period. Decisions are based on state-issued guidelines.

Graduation
All students, without regard to the degree or certificate to be granted, must meet general requirements for graduation from PBCC and fulfill all financial obligations to the College. Final responsibility for meeting the requirements for graduation rests with the student.

CATALOG IN EFFECT FOR GRADUATION POLICY
Students who have maintained continuous enrollment have the option of graduating under the catalog in effect at the time they enter the College or any catalog in effect during the student’s continuous enrollment, as long as the catalog chosen is not more than five years old. Continuous enrollment may be maintained by enrollment in one credit or PSAV course for a minimum of one term per academic year.

If students choose a new catalog, all requirements from the new catalog must be met for graduation. If continuous enrollment is maintained for a period of more than five years, the catalog five years previous will be chosen for them, unless students specify otherwise. If attendance is interrupted by 12 months, students must graduate under the catalog in effect when they are readmitted or any future catalog within five years of the date of graduation (as in above statement). The College does not guarantee that courses will always be available. Some courses or programs may be discontinued. The College reserves the right to change the curriculum as necessary.

Note: Students must graduate under the program requirements in effect the term they enter a limited access program.

COLLEGE LEVEL ACADEMIC SKILLS TEST (CLAST)
The CLAST is designed to test the communication and computation skills that are judged by state university and community college faculty to be generally associated with successful performance and progression through the baccalaureate level. Florida statutes and the State Board of Education mandate the test for all students seeking an A.A. degree.

CLAST applications can be filled out at any campus; however, the test is administered at the Lake Worth and Belle Glade Testing Centers only.

Eligibility
Students seeking associate in arts or baccalaureate degrees are eligible to register for the CLAST provided the following criteria have been met:

1.  Satisfactory completion of at least 18 semester hours of college level course work, and

2.  Completion of the A.A. General Education requirements in English composition and Gordon Rule mathematics.

CLAST is required for A.A. degree candidates only. Other degree seekers are not required to take the test unless they are planning to transfer to a university and the university requires the test. Students wanting to sit for the CLAST must apply to take the test by the registration deadline. Late registrants will be placed on stand-by status. Students who do not take and pass this test will not be awarded the associate in arts degree.

All students taking the CLAST after Oct. 1, 1992, must meet the following standard scores established by the state Board of Education:

Reading	295
English Language Skills	295
Computation	295
Essay	6

Note: Students who took the CLAST before Oct. 1, 1992, should contact their advisor or review the Degree Audit on www.facts.org to determine successful completion or exemption.

Exemptions

• Students who have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 or ENC 1141 shall be exempt from the Reading, English Language Skills, and Essay sections of the CLAST. 
• Students who have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in two (2) Gordon Rule general education Mathematics courses shall be exempt from the Computation section of the CLAST. 
• A score of 500 or higher in the Verbal section of the SAT1 earns an exemption in the Essay, English, Language Skills and Reading sections of the CLAST. 
• A score of 500 or higher in the Math section of the SAT1 earns an exemption in the Math section of the CLAST. 
• A score of 21 or higher in the English section of the ACT-E earns an exemption in the Essay & Language Skills sections of the CLAST. 
• A score of 22 or higher in the Reading section of the ACT-E earns an exemption in the Reading section of the test. A score of 21 or higher in the Math section of the ACT-E earns an exemption in the Math section of the CLAST. 
• There are also possible exemptions based on scores earned for AP & IB courses taken in high school. Candidates should check with an advisor concerning these exemptions.

Retakes
Students may not retake any subtest of the CLAST for which they already have a passing score. Students must wait 30 days between retakes. CLAST review courses and tutoring services are available. Contact the Student Learning Center/Vocational Preparatory Instruction Lab for more information.

DEGREE VERIFICATIONS
PBCC has entered into an agreement with Credentials, Inc. for the verification of degrees and earned certificates. Credentials, Inc. has been granted the authority to respond to these types of requests from interested third parties on PBCC’s behalf. Verifications require student authorization.

PBCC warrants that the results delivered by Credentials, Inc., acting as the College’s agent, should be considered equivalent in authority to information provided directly by the College. To begin an order at no cost to current or previous students, go to www.degreechk.com. Students must select a unique user ID and password, which is not their PBCC Student ID number and password.

GRADUATION CEREMONY - COMMENCEMENT
Participation in commencement exercises is expected of all degree, certificate and diploma students who are eligible for graduation. Commencement is held at the end of each fall and spring term. Students who apply for graduation receive ceremony information from the Graduation Office.

GRADUATION COMPETENCY STATEMENTS FOR DEGREES
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) requires that all institutions ensure that its degree program graduates (A.A., A.S. and A.A.S.) demonstrate competency in Reading, Writing, Oral Communications, Fundamental Mathematical Skills and the Basic Use of Computers (SACS 4.2.2). In addition PBCC requires that degree program graduates are competent in Information Literacy. The competencies can be achieved through the coursework listed for each competency area.

Expected Student Outcomes for Competency in Fundamental Reading Skills
All students in A.A., A.S., and A.A.S. programs should be able to demonstrate literal and critical reading comprehension skills:

• Literal comprehension skills include recognizing main ideas in a given passage, identifying supporting details and determining meaning of words on the basis of context.

• Critical comprehension skills include recognizing the author’s purpose, tone and overall organizational pattern; distinguishing between fact and opinion; detecting bias; recognizing explicit and implicit relationships within and between sentences; recognizing valid arguments; and drawing logical inferences and conclusions.

Methods of Assessment:
1.  Students will complete one of the following course series:

• ENC 1101 and ENC 1102
• ENC 1121 and ENC 1122
• ENC 1101 and ENC 1210 with grades of C or better
   OR

2.  For programs that do not require ENC 1102 or ENC 1210, students will demonstrate competency through other courses that are identified by the program manager to have satisfied the above outcomes.

Expected Student Outcomes for Competency in Fundamental Writing Skills
All students in A.A., A.S., and A.A.S. programs should be able to demonstrate the ability to develop a thesis or main idea statement by:

• Providing adequate support that reflects the ability to distinguish between generalized and concrete evidence
  
  
• Arranging the ideas and supporting details in an organizational pattern appropriate to the purpose and the focus
  
  
• Writing unified prose in which all supporting material is relevant to the thesis or main idea statement
  
  
• Writing coherent prose and providing effective transitional devices that clearly reflect the organizational pattern and the relationship of parts.

• An understanding of the basic principles of human communication, both verbal and nonverbal
  
  
• An understanding of the dynamics and skills of interpersonal, small group and public communication
  
  
• Effective oral presentation skills through the preparation and delivery of speeches for an audience
  
  
• Effective critical and constructive listening skills
  
  
• An understanding of the subjective nature of perception and its effect on communication
  
  
• An understanding of their ethical and social obligations by utilizing careful research and solid supporting materials when engaged in informative and persuasive public communication.

• Demonstrate basic number sense, using the four operations (+, -, *, /) involving integers, fractions and decimals
  
  
• Solve real-world problems that require the use of variables and the use of percents
  
  
• Interpret information from simple graphs
  
  
• Demonstrate skills in elementary geometry (including calculations of areas and perimeters).

Methods of Assessment:
1.  Students will complete at least one Gordon Rule mathematics course with a grade of C or better.
OR

2.  For programs that do not include a Gordon Rule mathematics course, students will demonstrate competency through other courses that are identified by the program manager to have satisfied the above outcomes.

Expected Student Outcomes for Competency in Basic Computer Use
All students in A.A., A.S., and A.A.S. programs should be able to:

•  Input data (type) and word process

•  Save files, edit and print

•  Navigate the Internet, utilize e-mail and conduct electronic research.

Methods of Assessment:
1.  Students will complete CGS 1570, at least one Gordon Rule social science course or EME 2040.
OR

2.  For programs that do not include CGS 1570, a Gordon Rule social science course, or EME 2040, students will demonstrate competency through other courses that are identified by the program manager to have satisfied the above outcomes.

Expected Student Outcomes for Competency in Information Literacy
The information literate student is able to recognize when information is needed, locate information in many formats, and evaluate and effectively use the information needed to become an independent life-long learner.

All students in A.A., A.S., and A.A.S. programs will make significant progress to complete the following competencies:

•  Determine the nature and extent of the information needed

•  Access needed information effectively and efficiently

•  Evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system

•  Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose

•  Understand many of the ethical, legal and socio-economic issues surrounding the use of information

•  Access and use information ethically and legally.

Methods of Assessment:
1.  Students will complete one of the following courses with a grade of C or better: ENC 1102, LIS 2004, or an Honors course.
OR

2.  Students demonstrate competencies through other courses or online tutorial that are identified by the program manager to satisfy the outcomes listed.

GRADUATION DISTINCTIONS
Students who graduate with a 3.2 overall GPA or higher will be noted in the Commencement Bulletin as graduating with the following distinctions:

3.2 - 3.49 Academic Distinction

3.5 - 3.79 High Academic Distinction

3.8 - 4.0 Presidential Distinction

Students who graduate with 12 hours of Honors course work completed with a minimum grade of B and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and who have applied for Honors graduation will be designated as Honors Graduates. Honors graduates will be recognized with the following:

• Honors notation on Commencement Bulletin
• Honors gold seal on diploma
• Honors notation on transcript
• Honors medallion to be worn at Commencement.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students may graduate from PBCC after meeting all the following requirements (as applicable for their programs). Exceptions to these requirements are noted in specific program descriptions.

1.  All financial obligations to the College must be satisfied.

2.  All official high school and postsecondary transcripts must be received.

3.  Graduation Application Requirement
      •  Students must make formal application for graduation before the deadline. Deadlines are listed on the calendar in the front of this catalog.
      •  The Request for Graduation Form (Graduation Application) is available online at www.pbcc.edu/graduation.xml.

4. Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement
      •  Institutional GPA of 2.0 for all work taken at PBCC
      • Cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college courses, regardless of where taken (College Credit Certificates need a 2.0 GPA in program courses only)

5. Courses taken at PBCC (Residency Requirement)
      •  Students must complete at least 25 percent (15 credits for A.A. students) of the program or certificate credit at PBCC, also known as “courses in residence” (no relationship to in-state resident tuition).
      •  Transfer coursework, credits-by-exam, and credits for prior learning cannot be used to satisfy the Residency Requirement.

6. Preparatory Course/Testing Completion Requirement
      •  Students must test out of English, reading and mathematics preparatory coursework.
         OR
      •  Students must successfully complete all required preparatory coursework.

7. General Education Requirement
      •  A grade of C or higher is required for all General Education courses. General Education courses are listed in the Areas of Study section of this catalog.
      •  A statement certifying completion of the full 36-Credit-Hour General Education package will be noted on students’ transcripts.

8. A.A. students also
      •  Must have 60 semester hours of academic work exclusive of occupational (A.S.) courses.
      •  Must also include an approved General Education program of not less than 36 semester hours.
      •  Must pass all four sections of CLAST, or qualify for one of the exemptions. (See Testing Center for exemption requirements.) Passing scores are announced by the state of Florida each year. Responsibility for taking and passing the CLAST rests with the student.
      •  Must meet Gordon Rule Requirement - As part of graduation with an A.A. degree, students are required to fulfill the Gordon Rule requirement, in accordance with Florida statute. Courses that fulfill Gordon Rule requirements are noted with a "CR" designation on pages 46-47.

9.  A.S. and A.A.S. students also
      •  Must complete the number of prescribed program credit hours.
      •  Must complete a minimum of 15 hours of program-specific General Education

10.  Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate (PSAV) recipients: Only items 1, 2 and 5 above apply.

11.  College Credit Certificate (CCC) recipients: In addition to items 1, 2 and 5 above, students must also meet GPA requirements and may have some preparatory course requirements (depending on program course prerequisites).

Graduation with Multiple Degrees
Students who have an A.A. degree or higher are eligible for any A.S. or A.A.S. degree upon completion of those degree requirements. Students who have an A.S. or A.A.S. degree are eligible for an A.A. degree upon completion of those requirements. Students with an A.A.S. may receive an A.S. degree in the same area upon completion of the additional coursework. However, students with an A.S. degree are not eligible to receive an A.A.S. in the same program area.

Maximum Physical Education or Music Ensemble Credits for Graduation
Students may use a maximum of two credit hours in Physical Education activity courses and a maximum of four credit hours of MUN ensemble courses for graduation.

Policy Changes
Any statement in the PBCC Catalog is subject to change by the College. A Catalog Addendum may be published online by July 1 of each year, depending on the number of changes incurred since the Catalog was printed. Availability of a Catalog Addendum (if published) would be on the College’s Web site only. Many policy changes are listed on the Student Updates Web page, located at www.pbcc.edu/StudentUpdates.xml.

Prerequisites
A student who wishes to register for any course for which the prerequisites have not been completed must consult with the associate dean of the department offering the course. The associate dean may make the decision to require the student to take the prerequisite for the course, move the student to the prerequisite course, or allow the student to remain in the course. Students may not enroll for credit in a course (or prerequisite) for which they have successfully completed a higher-level course in the same logical sequence.

Students may pre-register for a future term for a course with a prerequisite requirement while they are still enrolled in the prerequisite course. However, the registration for the higher-level course may be dropped if the prerequisite course is not completed successfully.

Security of Student Records
 
DEFINITION OF STUDENT RECORDS
Student records may include, but are not limited to, applications, test scores, transcripts, photos and correspondence. All received transcripts and documents are the property of the College and may not be copied or transmitted to third parties, except in accordance with state law.

INSPECTION OF RECORDS
Eligible Persons
In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, also known as the Buckley Amendment), student records at PBCC (located in the Office of the Registrar) are open for inspection only by the student and, as per FERPA guidelines:

•  School officials, as determined by the College Registrar to have legitimate educational interests
•  State educational authorities
•  Federal and state officials representing state or federal programs
•  Persons having written authorization for release
•  Officials in compliance with judicial orders.

The College forwards educational records on request to a school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

Viewing the Records

• Permanent records are never permitted out of the Office of the Registrar.
  
  
• Students may view their transcripts from other institutions but may not obtain a copy of the record, except by writing to request a copy from the institution from which the transcript originated.
  
  
• Students may make an appointment to view their records at the counter in the presence of Registrar’s Office personnel.

• PBCC transcripts are released only upon written consent of the student.
  
  
• If a student cannot have access to the record, i.e., if he/she lives too far away (minimally outside of Palm Beach County) or extenuating circumstances exist, students may request copies of their records through written requests to the College registrar. The request must specify the types of records to be copied. The registrar will comply with a request for a meeting and/or copies in a reasonable timeframe (no more than 30 days), depending upon the complexity of the records requested and the time during the term in which the request is received.
  
  
• Students will pay a fee of 50 cents per page, up to 49 pages, then $1.00 per page thereafter for any approved copies of their records.
  
  
• Subpoenas of student records must be issued by a court of competent jurisdiction and specify the type of records being requested. A fee of $35 will be charged per subpoena. Those requesting records by subpoena must allow sufficient time (at least 10 working days) for the affected student to be notified prior to the issuance of records.

RETENTION OF RECORDS
Student records will be maintained for a maximum of five years from the student’s attendance. Certain documents, such as grades, will be maintained longer in accordance with state archiving and records retention laws and the PBCC College Registrar Records and Retention Schedule.

STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION
FERPA requires each institution to determine directory information that may be released without the student’s consent, unless the student has specifically requested that some or all of the information not be released. PBCC has identified the following as directory information:

• Student name*
• Student street address*
• Date of birth
• E-mail address*
• Phone number*
• Photo ID picture/video*
• Dates of attendance (session dates only)
• Major field of study
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams
• Degrees and awards received
• Educational institution attended.

*Important Directory Information Note: Although PBCC has designated student name, street and e-mail addresses, phone number, and photographs/videos as directory information, these will appear in PBCC-generated information such as the commencement ceremony programs, PBCC publications, Student IDs (PantherCard), and news releases of awards. Date of birth is used for identification purposes within PBCC. E-mail addresses may be made available to students in distance learning environments where electronic communication between students is required. In addition, students’ names and addresses will be given to selected institutions of higher education for recruiting purposes and military branches in accordance with federal guidelines. Military branches also will be given phone numbers. According to the Florida Records Act s.119, your information may be given to requesting parties. If you do not wish to have this information released, please complete the non-disclosure form at www.pbcc.edu/pantherweb.xml.

STUDENT RIGHT TO PRIVACY
The College respects students’ personal information and guards information carefully. The student’s Social Security number is not used as a student’s primary identifier (although it is collected); an institutional Student ID number is assigned for student use to access records and receive services. A student may choose to withhold directory information but must submit a written notice to the Registrar’s Office stating which of the above directory information items are not to be released to the general public or the above organizations.

STUDENT RECORDS AMENDMENT APPEAL PROCESS
If a student believes there is an error in the permanent record, the student should contact the Registrar’s Office to arrange a hearing. A hearing will be conducted according to FERPA.

•  The hearing will be within a reasonable period of time after the request is received.

•  The student shall be given notice of date, place and time reasonably in advance.

•  A written decision shall be made by the registrar within a reasonable period of time after the hearing. The written decision and summary shall be based on evidence presented and reasons for the decision.

Student Conduct
College students are considered to have reached the age of responsibility and discretion. Their conduct, both in and out of college, is expected to be dignified and honorable. Students must realize that the responsibility for their success in college rests largely upon themselves. The PBCC District Board of Trustees, administration and faculty formulate policies and regulations of the College. Each student, by the act of registering, is obligated to obey rules and regulations formulated by the College. The Student Code of Conduct is published in the student handbook.

Unpaid Accounts
Unpaid student accounts, including past due fees or returned checks, will prevent graduation, granting of credit or release of transcript. Amounts remaining unpaid also will be subject to collection agency action.