ACC Faculty Handbook - Student Related Information

Admissions and Records
Advising Services
Assessment Services
Career Services / Job Placement
Counseling Services
Financial Aid Office
Office for Student with Disabilities
Policies and Procedures
Student Activities
Support Center
Summary

Admissions and Records

ACC maintains an "open door" admissions policy. However, the College requires an assessment of basic skills for new college credit-seeking students. The Admissions and Records office maintains all student records. The office provides faculty with answers to questions about student records including grades, prior courses and demographic information; verification of enrollment, class rosters; and a variety of forms such as those necessary to withdraw or reinstate students from classes, make grade changes, or file early completion of courses. For specific information about Admissions and Records, refer to the College Catalog or go to http://www.austincc.edu/support/admissions/.

Advising Services

New college students to ACC must be advised prior to enrolling their first semester. Academic advisors determine course placement based on assessment test results, help students select first-semester courses, and provide students with transfer information to other colleges. Faculty members with questions about a student's course placement (such as what a student was advised to take, or whether a student meets a pre-requisite) can speak to an academic advisor at any campus location. For more information go tohttp://www.austincc.edu/support/advising/.

Assessment Services

Unless otherwise TSI exempt, each student who enters ACC must take the appropriate reading, writing, and/or mathematics skills assessment prior to enrolling. Even students who are TSI exempt, waived or completed may be required to take a placement test to enroll in college-level math courses.

The Compass test and the Asset test, both developed by ACT, are available at ACC as TSI approved tests for students who are required to test for TSI or placement. The college also requires Compass ESL (English as a Second Language) for students whose primary language is not English.). The Quick THEA and Computer Administered THEA (CAT) are also offered through the Business Assessment Center.

For questions about testing, go to http://www.austincc.edu/support/assessment/.

Career Services / Job Placement

Students interested in exploring career issues and options will find many helpful resources in the Career Centers located at each campus. Career instruments are available to help students assess their interests, values, experiences, and their abilities. Job placement services include research information on occupations and the job market, resume writing and interviewing skills, and local job listings. For more information go to http://www.austincc.edu/support/advising/careercenter.php.

Counseling Services

Professional counselors are available at every campus to assist students to define educational and career goals, to increase their ability to benefit from instruction, and to deal with life challenges which may reduce their chances of succeeding at ACC. Counselors provide consultation services to faculty members concerned about a student's behavior or progress in classes, offer class visits and workshops on college success, and provide community referrals when appropriate. For more information go to http://www.austincc.edu/support/advising/.

Financial Aid Office

The Office of Student Financial Aid provides grants, loans, and work-study to those students who may otherwise be unable to attend college. The amount and type of aid a student may receive depends on the availability of funds and the student's established financial need. For more information go to http://www.austincc.edu/support/financialaid/.

Office for Student with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Accommodations that ACC provides to qualified students include: sign language interpreters, note takers, readers, mobility assistance, special testing, and special registration. Faculty members are encouraged to read Working with College Students with Disabilities Handbook and Working with Deaf Students and Interpreters: A Guide for Instructors brochure available either from an OSD office or on the web at http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/.

Policies and Procedures

The College has many policies and procedures that are important for faculty members. Below is a partial list of those involving student issues. For a more complete list, go to: www.austincc.edu/admrule/

Grade Change Policy and Procedures
Religious Holy Days
Harassment Prevention
Student Discipline Policy (particularly scholastic dishonesty and disruptive behavior)
Student Complaint Procedure (Student Handbook, page 5)
Students Rights and Responsibilities, (Student Handbook, page 32)
Academic Standards of Progress

Student Activities

The Student Activities Office provides avenues for student growth and enrichment outside of the classroom. The office coordinates student organizations, special events, campus publications, recognition, cultural heritage programs, and leadership opportunities. ACC has more than 30 registered student organizations. Faculty members interested in serving as a Faculty Advisor to a student organization should contact the Coordinator of Student Life at the Rio Grande campus. For more information go to http://www.austincc.edu/life4u/.

Support Center

The ACC Support Center offers a variety of grant-funded support services to help eligible students in workforce education majors reach their educational goals. Support Centers provide community resource information and referral, childcare payment assistance, and a textbook loaning library for students unable to afford their textbooks. For more information go to http://www.austincc.edu/support/financialaid/center/.

Summary

The staff members of Student Services are very eager to work with faculty members to enhance the success of ACC students. If there are any problems or questions related to student services, please speak with the Campus Dean for Student Services at any campus location.