ACC faculty may choose to distribute the following college policies as a separate handout from the rest of their course syllabus. The course-specific section of a syllabus is not included here. The information below represents college-wide policies that are common to all course sections.
Download College Policies & Student Support Services Handout (PDF)
Download College Policies & Student Support Services Handout (Google Docs)
Health & Safety Protocols
Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public entrances. ACC encourages 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:
- ACC encourages all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available throughout the community. Visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccine location near you.
- The college’s Appian Health Screening App remains available to all visitors. This is a good way to check your health before coming to class or work.
- If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility. Testing is now widely available. To find testing locations near you, click this link.
- Face masks on campus are welcome, but not required. Face masks remain a good way to protect yourself from COVID-19.
- Continue to respect the personal space of others. ACC encourages 3 feet of social distancing.
- Carry your student, faculty, or staff ID badge at all times while on campus.
Visit ACC’s COVID-19 Information website for the latest updates and guidance.
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. Read more about the Academic Integrity Process.
Student Rights & Responsibilities
ACC students have the same rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. 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. Read about Student Rights and Responsibilities.
As a student of ACC, you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct.
Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements
Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), all ACC 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 confidentially, 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, go to the Counseling website.
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, at 512-223-7964 or 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.
Go to the Student Complaints page for further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints.
Statement on Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Faculty cannot provide grades over the phone, by email, or to a fellow student.
Recording Policy
To comply 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 paramount 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. Go to the Emergency Management page to learn about safety procedures and how to sign up for emergency alerts.
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 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, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. 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 on ACC’s Campus Carry webpage.
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.
College faculty 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 Equal Opportunity Resource Guide.
Use of ACC email
All college email communication to students is 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 ACCmail: Questions & Answers.
Use of the Testing Center
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. Only the following are allowed in 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 percent 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 the Student Resources website. A comprehensive array of student support services is available online at the Student Support website.
Student Accessibility Services
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 who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through Student Accessibility Services (SAS).
Students are encouraged to request accommodations prior to the beginning of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received accommodations from SAS for this course will provide the instructor with the legal document titled “Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) through the Accessible Information Management (AIM) portal.
Until the instructor receives the FNL, 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 request their accommodations as soon as possible prior to the beginning of the semester.
Please contact SAS@austincc.edu for more information.
Academic Support
ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. Services including online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis.
Those interested can find more Information about online tutoring and fill out an Online Tutoring Request form.
Library Services
ACC Library Services offers in-person and extensive online services. Although all college services are subject to change, 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 Services website
- Ask a Librarian 24/7 chat and form
- Library hours of operation by location
- Email: library@austincc.edu
Parent and Family Engagement Services
ACC understands how important parent and family support is to every student’s college journey. From parents and siblings to step-parents, grandparents, partners, and loved ones, the Parent and Family Engagement Office at ACC is committed to empowering families to support student success. The office provides a family orientation to ACC, free workshops explaining the world of higher education (financial aid, student resources, career and transfer services, etc.), a monthly newsletter full of student success tips, and a website designed to answer family members’ frequently asked questions. All students, especially first-generation students, are encouraged to share these resources with their families and invite them to be part of the Riverbat experience. Contact familyengagement@austincc.edu or visit the Parent & Family Engagement website for more information.
Student Organizations
ACC has more than 70 student organizations that offer 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 on the ACC Student Life website.
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. A few examples include:
- Central Texas Food Bank for food resources, including community pantries and food bank drives.
- Student Advocacy Center for assistance with childcare or utility bills.
- Student Emergency Fund for help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes.
- Student Money Management Office for help with budgeting for college and family life
- The Child Care webpage for services for student parents.
Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns.
If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. 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: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
- 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)