Policies & Procedures

Student Criminal Background Check

The Austin Community College District is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students and to supporting all federal and state regulations protecting individuals receiving services from ACC students. As part of this commitment, ACC will identify all programs where criminal background checks are required by law or as a condition of the program approval/accreditation. ACC will require criminal history checks of students in these identified programs and will refuse admission to or continuation in these programs where necessary to meet such regulations or accreditation standards.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Enrollment in the college indicates acceptance of the rules set forth in this policy, which is administered through the office of the campus dean of student services. Due process, through an investigation and appeal process, is assured to any student involved in disciplinary action.

General Provisions:
The purpose of this policy is to identify the rights and responsibilities of ACC students, to specify acts prohibited and standards of conduct required, and to set a range of appropriate penalties when rules are violated.

Due Process:
College disciplinary procedures respect the due process rights of students.

Emergency Action:
Provisions are included to protect the college and members of the college community in emergencies and other instances requiring immediate action. Even in such instances, the college will take reasonable steps to provide for due process.

Administration of Discipline:
The campus dean of student services or the appropriate facility administrator shall have primary responsibility for the administration of student discipline. The campus dean of student services works cooperatively with faculty members in the disposition of scholastic violations.

Students’ Role in College Decision-Making

The participation of students in ACC decision-making is an important institutional value. Participation occurs in several ways: program and instructor evaluations; monthly Student Government Association presentations to the Board of Trustees; and participation in the Student Government Association, focus groups, and the Student Activity Fee Advisory Committee. During orientation, new students receive information about the Student Government Association. The association appoints students as voting members to many college and campus committees in order to influence decisions on a variety of issues, from the budget to the registration process to the remodeling of college facilities.