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Student Code of Ethics

Students enrolled by the College must be guided by the highest standards of ethical conduct. They are expected to demonstrate professional qualities when dealing with persons in the academic community, with chiropractic patients and with the public.

The intent of the Code is to ensure that students neither lose their rights nor escape the responsibilities of citizenship.

All students are expected to read and understand the Student Code of Ethics Handbook.

Report Misconduct

All members of the College community share the responsibility for promoting and supporting the Student Code of Ethics. Therefore, members of the College community are to immediately report any behavior or conduct that may be interpreted as a violation of the Code.

 

Members of the College community may also report student misconduct directly to the appropriate campus Student Code of Ethics Coordinator.

portrait of Lori LarsenPalmer Main Campus
Student Code of Ethics Coordinator
Lori Larsen, B.A.

Office of Compliance
1000 Brady St.
Davenport, Iowa 52803
563-884-5246
lori.larsen@palmer.edu

Jason Brewer, M.S.Palmer Florida 
Student Code of Ethics Coordinator
Jason Brewer, M.S.

Office of Student Services
4777 City Center Parkway
Port Orange, Florida 32129
386-763-2781
jason.brewer@palmer.edu

Michael Crump portraitPalmer West
Student Code of Ethics Coordinator
Michael Crump, M.Ed.

Office of Student Academic Affairs
90 E. Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134
408-944-6122
michael.crump@palmer.edu

Reporting Violations of Local, State or Federal Law

Students are expected to abide by local, state and federal laws. Any student who has been convicted of; pled guilty to; did not contest; forfeited bail; or was granted a deferred judgment to any criminal conduct under law or ordinance shall notify the College. Such notification should be reported within five calendar days.

This notification requirement excludes only minor traffic violations. Failure to promptly report may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

 

OR
Report in-person, by email or phone to:

Palmer Main Campus
Michael Tunning, D.C., M.S. ATC
Dean of Academic Affairs
563-884-5865
michael.tunning@palmer.edu

Palmer Florida
Jason Brewer
Dean of Students
386-763-2781
jason.brewer@palmer.edu

Palmer West
Michael Crump, M.Ed.
Director of Student Services
408-944-6122
michael.crump@palmer.edu

Student Ethics Process

Notification Letter
When the Office of Compliance receives a charge(s) of misconduct alleging that a student may have violated the Student Code of Ethics, a notification letter is sent to the student notifying them of the charge(s).

Respondent
The term respondent refers to any student, organization or club which as been charged with ethical misconduct.

Filer
The term filer refers to any member of the College community who submits a charge alleging ethical misconduct.

Orientation
An orientation is an informal meeting with a representative from the Office of Compliance who will provide the student with a copy of the charge(s) of misconduct, explain the student ethics process and answer any questions. It is NOT a hearing, but an opportunity for a student to become more informed about the charge and the resolution process.

Timing
A number of factors influence the length of time it takes to conclude the Student Code of Ethics process. The most significant factors include the student’s timely response to official notices; the student’s and filer’s willingness to resolve the charge(s) of misconduct; the determination as to whether an informal or formal hearing will be conducted; and scheduling of all parties needed at the hearing.

Hearings
The Student Code of Ethics provides for two distinct types of hearings; informal and formal.

Informal Hearings
Informal hearings are conducted when a charge(s) of misconduct may be disposed of informally on a basis acceptable to the College. They can typically be scheduled quickly, at the convenience of the responding student, the person filing the charge(s) of misconduct and the Coordinator.

Formal Hearings
Formal hearings are typically conducted when:

  1. a resolution was not reached in an informal hearing;
  2. an informal resolution was violated;
  3. a student charged with misconduct has a prior record of either an informal resolution or a formal finding of misconduct; or
  4. the filer, responding student or Coordinator chooses not to invoke the informal process.
    Formal hearings are heard by the Student Ethics Hearing Panel.

Formal hearings provide an opportunity for the filer to present any facts and/or evidence underlying the charge(s) of misconduct alleged against the student. Likewise an opportunity is provided to the student to present any facts and/or evidence in defense of the charge(s) of misconduct alleged against him/her.

Student Ethics Hearing Panel
Hearing panel refers to persons authorized to decide if ethical misconduct has been proven and, if appropriate, what sanctions shall be imposed.

Decision Letter
Upon conclusion of a formal hearing, the decision whether misconduct has been proven will be detailed in a decision letter as well as sanctions imposed, if appropriate. Further, deadlines for completion will be specified. If the sanction is not fulfilled, a subsequent charge of misconduct may be filed against the student respondent under Article VI, Part I, Section M, Paragraph 9.

Sanctions
The following sanctions may be imposed for misconduct:

  • Warning: A written reprimand for misconduct.
  • Loss of privileges: Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.
  • Fines: Previously established and published fines may be imposed.
  • Restitution: Compensation for loss, damage or injury. This may take the form of appropriate services and/or monetary or material replacement.
  • Discretionary sanctions: Educational remediation, denial of academic credit, work assignments, services to the College, counseling, treatment, or other related discretionary assignments.
  • Clinic suspension: Separation from the Clinic (with the exception of receiving patient care) for a definite period of time. Conditions for readmission may be specified.
  • College suspension: Separation from the College for a definite period of time. Conditions for readmission may be specified.
  • Palmer residential premises suspension: Separation from the residence and any other Palmer-owned residential premises for a definite period of time. Conditions for readmission may be specified.
  • Palmer residential premises expulsion: Permanent separation from the residence and any other Palmer owned residential premises.
  • College dismissal: Permanent separation from Palmer.

Retaliation
Anyone involved in a complaint process has the right to be free from retaliation of any kind. Palmer College of Chiropractic strictly prohibits retaliation or reprisal against an individual who has reported, attempted to report or provided information regarding potential violations or who has initiated or participated in the procedures available or has otherwise been involved in the process of responding to, investigating or addressing allegations reported to the College.

Any person who attempts either directly, indirectly or through someone acting on another’s behalf to intimidate, threaten, retaliate, interfere with, restrain, coerce, discriminate against, violate a College No Contact Directive or harass any person for reporting, attempting to report, or pursuing a complaint or is a witness cooperating in a College investigation will be addressed by the College.

Family Members
The College is obligated to comply with college policies and applicable law regarding the disclosure of student records. We encourage family members to speak with the student respondent about any concerns related to the charge of misconduct against them prior to contacting our office. Student authorization is required for disclosure of records maintained in this process.

Advisors/Legal Professionals
During a formal hearing, the filer and respondent may be assisted by an advisor of their choice. An advisor may be a friend, family member, attorney or anyone a student chooses. Advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in the hearing.

Student Code of Ethics FAQS

FAQs for Filers

FAQs for Respondents

Contact Student Code of Ethics Coordinators

Palmer Main Campus
Lori Larsen
Compliance Specialist
Also serving as the Student Code of Ethics Coordinator
563-884-5246
lori.larsen@palmer.edu

Palmer Florida
Jason Brewer
Director of Student Services
Also serving as the Student Code of Ethics Coordinator
386-763-2783
jason.brewer@palmer.edu

Palmer West
Michael Crump, M.Ed.
Director of Student Services
Also serving as the Student Code of Ethics Coordinator
408-944-6122
michael.crump@palmer.edu