Palmer College of Chiropractic is a private chiropractic college established in 1897. it is the first global chiropractic college, with three campuses in California, Florida, and Iowa. Being part of this prestigious college significantly elevates your academic and professional experience. Due to its focus on chiropractic, you can train with established faculty members while working towards your Doctor of Chiropractic degree. However, to remain enrolled at Palmer, you must also demonstrate professional, ethical behavior and keep up academically with your degree requirements. Egregious violations and chronic lack of academic performance severely impact your chances of graduating. You may face severe and life-altering sanctions such as expulsion that upend your future, reputation, and efforts.
As a chiropractic student, demonstrating professional and ethical behavior and maintaining academic progress is crucial to graduating. And your graduation from an institution as reputable as Palmer offers valuable advancement opportunities. However, it also comes with the added pressure to meet expectations and avoid making mistakes. Unfortunately, some errors can result in severe penalties, such as suspension or expulsion, significantly impacting your job prospects. If you face accusations, you must contact a knowledgeable attorney-advisor who helps you negotiate a fair outcome.
Behavioral and Professional Expectations at Palmer
According to the Student Handbook, Palmer is a learning community that encourages chiropractic students to be life-long learners. It motivates students to use their educational and ethical principles by observing, thinking critically, questioning, using imagination, serving, and advocating for their beliefs. Palmer also has behavioral and professional expectations that students must abide by to complete their programs without issue. According to the Code of Ethics, students must refrain from the following actions:
- Using, possessing, manufacturing, or distributing illegal drugs
- Not complying with directions, disrespectfully treating peers and faculty members, and acting dishonorably toward them
- Committing acts of academic dishonesty
- Disruption or obstruction of teaching, learning, administrative duties, research, and disciplinary proceedings
- Bullying, intimidating, or harassing students and faculty members
- Maintaining the health and safety of peers and professors, such as refraining from physical and verbal abuse and making threats
- Invading the privacy of others and unauthorizes distribution of patient materials
- Misuse of Palmer property or the disciplinary process
Students who violate the rules face serious consequences that have a detrimental effect on their reputation and future. Although the sanctions depend on the severity of the allegations, even minor ones may harm your reputation and lead to bias in case a future mistake happens.
Academic Progress and Remediation at Palmer
Although professional and ethical behavior is essential to program requirements, maintaining satisfactory academic progress is just as necessary to stay enrolled. Palmer offers remediation options for students in its Florida and West campuses. To qualify for remediation, it must be your first enrollment, be within 10% of the passing threshold of the course, and meet the attendance requirements. Students receive a remediation examination taken on and graded by the last day of the first week of the following academic term.
If you complete your remediation exam successfully, your grade changes from “R” to “C.” However, failure leads to the “R” becoming an “F.” This grade carries the potential for academic dismissal, and you can only take three remediations during your academic tenure.
While remediation may seem burdensome, it is sometimes necessary to regain your footing and continue your program. Moreover, according to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, if you receive financial aid, you must progress academically to continue receiving assistance. But if you face dismissal, contacting an attorney-advisor may help you negotiate another option.
Consequences of Dismissal
Expulsion from Palmer has short- and long-term adverse effects on your education and career prospects. In the short term, it leads to delays in your educational path. Additionally, it can result in financial losses in tuition fees and relocation costs. You may need to wait to enroll in another chiropractic program or start over.
In the long term, a dismissal negatively impacts your career prospects by making it hard to find a job or gain acceptance to another program. If not, you face study interruptions, financial losses, and difficulties finding a job or gaining acceptance into other programs. Finally, your reputation may hinder your ability to establish a practice. It's necessary to take all possible actions to prevent expulsion from negatively affecting your future.
What to Do When Accused
If you face accusations of professional and ethical issues or academic underperformance, it is vital to act quickly and strategically. Some steps you can take include staying calm, avoiding discussions about the problem with peers or those not involved in the case, and refrain from retaliating against the person filing the report. Try to monitor your social media posting activity to avoid making incriminating posts.
While the experience may be stressful and overwhelming, remember that you don't have to go through it alone. Most importantly, you must consult a knowledgeable attorney-advisor to help you during this time. Working with a professional can lead to a more favorable outcome in your case at Palmer.
Hiring an Attorney-Advisor
When you face behavioral, professional, or academic accusations at Palmer Chiropractic College, every step taken afterward has consequences. That's why it's crucial to speak with a professional attorney-advisor like Joseph D. Lento, who has experience navigating cases like yours. Attorney-Advisor Lento thoroughly understands student-related issues and how to best negotiate with a panel. With years of experience working with students nationwide, he knows the stakes and the process. Using his expertise, Attorney-Advisor Lento diligently strives to reach a fair resolution that doesn't significantly affect your future.
As a student, making mistakes is part of the learning process, and everyone makes errors. Attorney-Advisor Lento has the experience to help you navigate this complicated process. Using his knowledge and skill, Attorney-Advisor Lento helps identify bias and procedural errors and prepare evidence. Even if you have to face a hearing panel alone, having attorney-advisor Lento's guidance behind the scenes boosts your confidence and supports you during this challenging time.
If you or someone you know is facing allegations of professional, academic, or behavioral issues, don't hesitate to take action.
Contact the Lento Law Firm Team today for a consultation at 888-535-3686.
