Code of Conduct

Students are expected to follow school regulations and help maintain a professional learning environment through orderly, ethical, and respectful behavior. Any violation of regulations and/or disruptive behavior will be referred to the School Office. The Program Director may decide that the offender (1) be verbally warned, (2) receive a formal warning letter, or (3) be terminated from the school and have I-20 cancelled (for F-1 students only) with no refund given.

1. The student agrees to use all media sources provided to you, including internet access following the Academic Handbook code of conduct. The student understands that abusing these privileges could lead to revocation of such rights and disciplinary action, which may include expulsion.
2. The student understands and agrees that academic success is solely his or her responsibility and that he or she must make satisfactory progress as outlined in the course requirements and receive materials to advance to the next level and receive a certificate.
3. The student fully understands that falsifying any information, insubordination, cheating, plagiarism, copying another person's work, having someone else do the student’s homework, or taking credit for someone else's work may result in immediate dismissal.
4. The student agrees to this program and level placement and the financial obligations which accompany it. The student agrees that it is his or her responsibility to abide by the policies defined by the school and answer to respect and to obey school directives issued by a supervisor or manager. A refusal to obey a supervisor's order or a lack of respect for a supervisor, teacher, or director will subject the student to the school's disciplinary action or dismissal.

The following violations of the school’s code of conduct are examples that would subject a student to dismissal:

• All types of dishonesty, including cheating*, plagiarism; knowingly furnishing false information to the school or about the school; forgery, alteration, or use of school documents with intent to defraud
• The intentional disruption of teaching, administration, disciplinary proceedings, public meeting, and programs or other school activities
• Physical or verbal abuse of any person on school premises or at school-sponsored or school-supervised premises
• Theft or damage of school property or the property of a school community member on school premises

*Cheating is defined as any intentional attempt by a student to misrepresent the academic achievement. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

• Possessing unauthorized information during a test or evaluation procedure or using such information to answer questions
• Copying information from another student during a test or evaluation
• Communicating in any way with another student during a test or examination
• Deliberately giving student information during a test or using information provided by another student during a test to answer any question
• Submitting work on which there has been collaboration with or which was prepared by another individual unless previously authorized by the instructor
• Any deceptive practice by which students attempt to receive a passing grade in a course. A student caught cheating on a test or assignment will be given a grade of zero (0) on that test or assignment. 

Any student caught cheating a second time may be terminated from the Philadelphia English Language Institute.

The following are examples of what is considered unacceptable behavior at the school:

• Students are expected to behave professionally at all times. Disrespectful conduct towards fellow students or staff will not be tolerated.

• Any behavior that infringes upon the rights of other students or staff will not be tolerated.

• Sexual harassment, unwanted gestures, jokes, offensive speech, physical advances, sexually suggestive pictures, gestures, touching of one’s self or others, exposing one’s private body parts or undergarments will not be tolerated. This type of behavior is in direct violation of the student code of conduct and basic human rights. 

• Harassment or discrimination including hazing is unacceptable. The Philadelphia English Language Institute students and staff are entitled to a respectful learning environment. Being respected means being treated honestly and professionally, with your unique talents and perspectives valued. A respectful workplace is about more than compliance with the law. It is a working environment that is free of inappropriate behavior of all kinds and harassment because of age, disability, marital status, race or color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Engaging in such behaviors directly, condoning or encouraging others to do so, transmitting or initiating such conduct via online, email, on school grounds, in class or at school-sponsored events will not be tolerated.

• Students caught defacing or destroying school property will be required to pay restitution and face disciplinary actions including suspension or expulsion from the program. 

• The use or possession of drugs on school property or during a school-sanctioned function will result in immediate expulsion. 

The Philadelphia English Language Institute will never deny admissions to anyone on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, or national origin.

All activities at the school are conducted without regard to race, religion, age, creed, color, sex, physical challenge, veteran status, marital status, sexual preference, or national origin.

PELI is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, respect, and civility and to the highest standards of personal development and performance. We place the highest value on friendship, scholarship, integrity, and responsibility. We are committed to honoring the individual in our community, where members respect and celebrate the diversity of our students, families, faculty administration, and staff. Our policies and procedures have been established for safety, to support our learning and teaching environment, and to maintain the highest standards and behavior.

Whether or not discrimination or harassment exists depends on circumstances or facts surrounding an incident. For this reason , it is not possible to provide a complete list of conduct that constitutes discrimination or harassment. The following are examples of conduct that may be prohibited by this policy: unwelcome requests for a physical, dating, or personal relationship; offensive jokes, remarks, epithets, or taunts related to a protected characteristic; speech, or action, or the display of material that is demeaning, degrading, threatening, or shows hostility to an individual or group because of a protected characteristic mentioned above; and unwelcome physical contact, demand for sexual favors in exchange for favorable or preferential treatment. 

If you believe you have been harassed or discriminated against, take one or more of the following actions as soon as possible:

1. Tell the offending person or people that you want the offending speech or actions stopped. Do not apologize. Speak directly. Give a clear message about how you feel.
2. If you do not feel comfortable confronting the person or people alone, take a friend along.
3. Tell a staff member or the Program Director.

Note: you may find it helpful to write down the details of the event to help you remember them.

You should not be afraid to make a complaint or report what you honestly consider to be discrimination or harassment because of fear of reprisal or getting another person in trouble. Retaliation or threats of retaliation against anyone who makes a complaint of discrimination or harassment, or against anyone who participates in an investigation of any such complaint, is a violation of the PELI policy and may be further cause of disciplinary action.