COLLEGE POLICIES
Health & Safety Protocols
Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible
through all public entrances. While some health & safety protocols are
no longer mandatory, the college encourages its staff, faculty, and students
to be mindful of the well-being of all individuals on campus. If you feel
sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus.
Some important things to remember:
• Face Masks Required - On Friday, August 13, 2021, the ACC Board of Trustees
unanimously approved a face mask mandate at ACC. Effective August 20, 2021,
anyone who is 2 years of age or older will be required to wear a face mask
in all ACC buildings.
• Virtual Learning for the First 3 Weeks - ACC will scale back the number
of students and employees on campus when the fall semester begins. Many courses
will be held online for the first three weeks of the semester from August
23 through September 12. Courses that require in-person instruction, including
some labs, will still be held on-campus. Those that can be moved to online
formats will do so for this period.
• Health Screening Required - Starting Monday, August 16, 2021, ACC’s health
app will be required for all students, employees, and visitors. Download the
app here. If you’re exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive,
the app will provide you information about steps you can take to report your
illness.
• Vaccination Clinics - ACC hosts a series of on-campus COVID-19 vaccination
clinics for eligible members of the ACC community. Clinics are offered at
select campuses districtwide. The clinics are offered in partnership with
Austin Public Health and Travis County Fire & Rescue. The vaccination
schedule is available here. All appointments are walk-up and available on
a first-come, first-served basis unless otherwise noted. The college strongly
urges those who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine to get one.
• COVID Testing - If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please
get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility.
Testing is now widely available. If you test positive, please report it on
the ACC self-reporting tool located here. Please do not come to campus if
you are feeling ill or if you test positive for COVID-19.
• Social Distancing - The college asks that we all continue to respect the
personal space of others. We are encouraging 3 feet of social distancing.
• Identification - ACC ID badges or Student ID cards will be required for
all employees and students upon entry.
Statement on Academic Integrity
Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.
Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present
a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic
mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials
raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who
rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements
and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates.
Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college
representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes,
and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are
not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents,
or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.
Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process
Any course specific policies, expectations, or procedures could be included
here.
Student Rights & Responsibilities
Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution
of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly,
petition and association. As members of the community, students have the right
to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for according
the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment.
Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently
with the values of the college, and obey local, state, and federal laws. www.austincc.edu/srr
As a student of Austin Community College you are expected to abide by the
Student Standards of Conduct. https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-standards-of-conduct
Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements
Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are
required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment,
sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC
student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require
reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct.
This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential
information about any such incidents that you share with them.
If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the
District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor
on any ACC campus: (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online: https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling
.
While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact
the Compliance Office for resources and options: Charlene Buckley, District
Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964; compliance@austincc.edu .
If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact
the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.
Student Complaints
A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college
employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college
personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible,
students should first address their concerns through informal conferences
with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal
resolution cannot be achieved.
Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom
instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived
race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, political affiliation, or disability.
Further information about the complaints process, including the form used
to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures
Statement on Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality
of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over
the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student.
Recording Policy
To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally
prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification
of other students enrolled in the class section. Exceptions are made for approved
accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to
facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through BlackBoard
Collaborate or another platform. Participation in such activities implies
consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity.
Such recordings are intended for educational and academic purposes only.
Safety Statement
Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms,
laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply
with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC
safety policies. Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are
posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.
All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be
immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about
safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency
can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency
Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and
courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the
health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the
day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary
action.
In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency
situation or an outbreak of illness, the format for this course may be modified
to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided
an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.
Campus Carry
The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance
with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus
Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment
for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Beginning August 1, 2017,
individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except
in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the
college’s concealed handgun policy.
It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all
times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police
Department by dialing 512-223-1231. Please refer to the concealed handgun
policy online at http://austincc.edu/campuscarry
Discrimination Prohibited
The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free
from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to
discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin,
religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct
(including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination)
to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance. Licensed clinical counselors
are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for
students.
Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be
found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o55xINAWNvTYgI-fs-JbDyuaMFDNvAjz/view
Use of ACC email
All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify students of any college- related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at: http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers
Use of the Testing Center
For Fall, 2021, the Testing Centers will allow only limited in person testing
and testing time will be limited to the standard class time, typically one
and one-half hours. Specifically, only the following will be allowed in the
Testing Centers:
• Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Testing: All approved SAS testing
• Assessments Tests: Institutionally approved assessment tests (e.g., TSIA
or TABE)
• Placement Tests: Placement tests (e.g., ALEKS)
• Make-Up Exams (for students who missed the original test): Make-up testing
is available for all lecture courses but will be limited to no more than 25%
of students enrolled in each section for each of four tests
• Programs incorporating industry certification exams: Such programs (e.g.,
Microsoft, Adobe, etc.) may utilize the ACC Business Assessment Center for
the industry certification exams (BACT) at HLC or RRC
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
The success of our students is paramount, and ACC offers a variety of support services to help, as well as providing numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.
Student Support
ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad
variety of opportunities and services. Information on these campus services
and resources is available at http://www.austincc.edu/students. A comprehensive
array of student support services is available online at:
https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/remote-student-support
Student Accessibility Services
Austin Community College (ACC) is committed to providing a supportive, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for all students. Each campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through Student Accessibility Services (SAS).
Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of each semester they are enrolled, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the legal document titled “Notice of Approved Accommodations (NAA)” from SAS.
Until the instructor receives the NAA from the student accommodations should not be provided. Once the NAA is received, accommodations must be provided. Accommodations are not retroactive, so it is in the student’s best interest to deliver the NAA on the first day of class.
Please contact SAS@austincc.edu for more information.
Academic Support
ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services,
which include online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction,
are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects
ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services
on both a drop-in and referral basis.
An online tutor request can be made here:
https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/online-tutoring-request/
Additional tutoring information can be found here:
austincc.edu/onlinetutoring
Library Services
ACC Library Services will be offering both in-person and extensive online
services for Fall, 2021, with research and assignment assistance available
in-person during limited hours of service. Although all college services are
subject to change this fall, plans include ACC students signing up for study
space and use of computers at open libraries, extensive online instruction
in classes, online reference assistance 24/7 and reference with ACC faculty
librarians. In addition, currently enrolled students, faculty and staff can
access Library Services online (also 24/7) via the ACC Library website and
by using their ACCeID to access all online materials (ebooks, articles from
library databases, and streaming videos). ACC Libraries offer these services
in numerous ways such as: "Get Help from a Faculty Librarian: the 24/7
Ask a Librarian chat service," an online form for in-depth research Q
and A sessions, one-on-one video appointments, email, and phone (voicemail
is monitored regularly).
• Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu
• Library Information & Services during COVID-19: https://researchguides.austincc.edu/LSinfoCOVID19
• Ask a Librarian 24/7 chat and form: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php
• Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/
• Email: library@austincc.edu
Student Organizations
ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural,
academic, vocational, and social opportunities. They provide a chance to meet
with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning,
participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to
career goals, and much else. Student Life coordinates many of these activities,
and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/.
Personal Support
Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more,
ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services
are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:
• Food resources including community pantries and bank drives can be found
here:
https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now
• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support
Center: http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.
• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause
you to withdraw from one or more classes: http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.
• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the
Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.
A full listing of services for student parents is available at: https://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care
• The CARES Act Student Aid will help eligible students pay expenses related
to COVID-19:
https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/cares-act-student-aid.
Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student
Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling
.
If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of
the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However if you are
afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.
Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:
• Austin / Travis County 24 hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP
(4357)
• The Williamson County 24 hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
o Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National
Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)