Palm Beach State College Board Policy

Title: Code of Ethics

Policy Number: 6Hx-18-1.35

Legal Authority: 112.311 FS – 112.3148 FS, 112.322, 1001.64 FS,1001.65 FS; 6A-14.0247 FAC

Date Adopted/Amended: Adopted 5/12/2009; Amended 2/17/2026 (Formerly policy 6Hx-18-5.90)

Scope

The College’s Code of Ethics Policy reflects the beliefs, values and professional conduct expected at Palm Beach State College, consistent with the College’s mission statement. The Code is unable to address every situation but serves as a guide for all in identifying and resolving issues of ethical conduct that may arise in College activities and in relationships with each other and the larger community. The Code does not supersede the rights and obligations of all employees under other applicable District Board of Trustees (hereinafter, the “Board”) Policies, Florida Statutes, State Board of Education Rules, United Faculty Contract, or Federal and State laws.

The Board and College employees shall be governed at all times by the applicable provisions of the Code Of Ethics For Public Officers And Employees (ss. 112.311-112.3148, F.S.), as may be amended from time to time, with regard to matters including but not limited to:

Solicitation or acceptance of gifts,
Doing business with the College,
Unauthorized compensation,
Misuse of public position,
Conflicting employment or contractual relationship,
Disclosure or use of certain information,
Voting conflicts, and
Filing statements of financial interests.

In addition, all employees shall abide by the following “Code of Professional Ethics for All Employees”.

Core Values

The College is committed to the goal of providing quality educational opportunities and of creating a collegial environment based on the highest ideals of professionalism. The College affirms the following core values:

Honesty – The value of honesty asserts the importance of intellectual and personal integrity in teaching, learning and all College activities.

Respect – The value of respect asserts the importance of recognizing the essential worth of students, employees, community members and a wide range of opinions and ideas.

Open Communication – The value of open communication asserts the importance of listening carefully to and learning from one another. Open communication requires mutual trust and courtesy and creates a climate where students and employees may reach their full potential.

Professionalism – The value of professionalism asserts the College’s commitment to the highest possible standards of work performance and behavior.

Fairness – The value of fairness asserts a commitment to clear and equitable standards and practices, which are free from bias, harassment, or discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sex, 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..

Responsibility – The value of responsibility asserts a commitment to a personal and shared accountability for ensuring a culture based on integrity and ethical actions. Responsibility includes the need to take action against wrongdoing, despite peer pressure, fear or loyalty.

Supervisory and Administrative Employees

Employees in supervisory or administrative positions have the added responsibility for demonstrating through their actions the importance of the core values outlined above. Employees in supervisory and administrative positions are responsible for promptly addressing ethical issues or concerns raised by employees and for taking the appropriate steps to deal with such issues. Employees in supervisory and administrative positions should not consider the ethical concerns of employees as threats or challenges to their authority.

Division/Department Codes of Ethics

Where job responsibilities require more specific policies and procedures, these areas of the College will develop them, with guidance from the appropriate Vice President or Provost and approval from the Cabinet and the Office of the General Counsel. Divisional/departmental code of ethics could include such issues such as fiduciary duty, financial reporting; conflict of interest; safety; academic, student and human resource issues; confidentiality and privacy; and appropriate use of College equipment. Divisions/departments must communicate their code of ethics to the College community via the Palm Beach State College web and will include procedures for reporting specific violations.

Student Recruitment Code of Ethics

These standards apply to all employees, student workers, contractors, and agents who engage in recruitment, admissions, outreach, or financial aid activities on behalf of the College.

Palm Beach State College adheres to a robust code of ethics in its student recruitment practices.

The goal of the recruitment process is to provide accurate information to prospective students, enabling them to make an informed decision when choosing a college. To eliminate deceptive marketing aimed at prospective students, all individuals involved with recruiting, admissions, and financial aid shall:

Conduct themselves with integrity, fairness, honesty, and respect for others.
Provide accurate, current, and publicly posted information to prospective students, families, and influencers (e.g., high school counselors).
Abstain from the use of high-pressure tactics to influence a student to enroll, which could include multiple unsolicited contacts or the promise of cash, bonuses, or other incentives outside of the regular scholarship monies or financial aid.
Refuse offers of commissions, bonuses, rewards, and/or favors other than regular salaries paid to them, for the purpose of securing enrollments of students.
Refrain from speaking disparagingly about competing higher education institutions.

As a member institution, Palm Beach State College abides by the ‘Recruiting, Admissions, and Related Enrollment Practices’ defined by the Higher Learning Commission.

Financial Aid personnel shall also comply with the College’s Student Loan Practices Code of Conduct (Policy 6Hx-18-3.50), which incorporates all federal Title IV conflict-of-interest and lender-relationship requirements.

Fair and Objective Admissions Practices

The admissions process will be fair, equitable, and based on established criteria. No applicant will be denied admission based on non-academic factors, such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Additionally, no applicants will be provided with preferential treatment based on legacy factors or donor relationships.

Guidance and Reporting

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 112.322, Florida Statutes, any employee, when in doubt about the applicability of the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees to himself or herself in a particular context, may submit in writing the facts of the situation to the Commission on Ethics, which is an independent commission of the State of Florida, with a request for an advisory opinion to establish the standard of public duty. Any employee who has the power to hire or terminate employees may likewise seek an advisory opinion from the commission as to the application of the provisions of the Code to any such employee or applicant for employment.

All faculty and staff are encouraged to report suspected violations of the “Code of Professional Ethics for All Employees” to the immediate supervisor, administrator in charge of the area of concern, supervising administrator, Provost, or Vice President. Anonymous reporting may also be made to the College’s online reporting system. Investigation of each suspected violation will be coordinated through the appropriate College office(s) and/or Department(s), To the extent possible, complaints will remain confidential and information about them will be provided only to those persons who need to know in order to achieve a timely resolution of the suspected violation. Complaints will follow the District Board of Trustees “Complaint Procedure” as outlined in 6Hx-18-5.491.

Retaliation against any employee who, in good faith, reports a suspected violation of this Ethics Policy, violation of law, or other improper conduct is strictly prohibited. Employees are also protected from retaliation under the Florida Whistle-blower’s Act, Sections 112.3187–112.31895, Florida Statutes. Procedures for making whistleblower disclosures and related protections are set forth in the College’s Anti-Fraud Policy and related procedures.

Disciplinary Action

Violation of the Ethics Policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination of employment in accordance with the District Board of Trustees’ policies and bargaining agreement.

In addition, violations of Florida’s ethics laws may subject the individual to civil or criminal penalties.