Academic
Policies
Instructional
Philosophy
Austin Community
College is committed to the belief that in a free and democratic
society, all persons should have a continuing opportunity to
develop skills and knowledge as well as to enhance their understanding
of the responsibilities in that society. The college takes as
its guiding educational principle the proposition that, insofar
as available resources permit, instruction should be adapted
to student needs. This principle requires both flexibility in
instructionalstrategies
and maintenance of high academic standards.
Academic Standards
Grading System, Semester-Credit
The following grading system is used at Austin Community College:
|
Grade
|
Interpretation
|
Grade
Points PerSemester Hour
|
| A
|
Excellent |
4 |
| B |
Good |
3 |
| C |
Satisfactory
|
2 |
| D |
Minimum
Passing |
1 |
| F
|
Failing
|
0 |
| I
|
Incomplete
|
Not
Computed |
| IP |
In
Progress |
Not
Computed |
PF
(Applies to Developmental Education Courses
Only) |
Pass/Fail |
Not
Computed |
| W
|
Withdrew |
Not
Computed |
| AU
|
Audit |
Not
Computed |
| CR
|
Credit
Given for
Non-Traditional
Transfer Work |
Not
Computed |
| X |
Not
Reported by
Instructor |
Not
Computed |
The
grade point average is calculated by dividing the number of
hours credit into the total grade points.
Student Course Load, Semester-Credit Programs
A full-time student is defined as a student who:
1. Registers for twelve or more credit hours in any combination
of terms within the sixteen-week semester.
2. Registers for twelve credit hours within the eleven or nine
week summer sessions.
3. Registers for six credit hours in one 5.5 week summer session,
or six credit hours in each 5.5 week session.
A student must obtain written permission from the Campus Dean
of Student Services or his or her designee before registering
if the student wishes to:
1. Register for more than eighteen hours in any combination
of terms within a sixteen-week semester.
2. Register for more than twelve hours in any combination of
terms within the eleven-week summer semester.
3. Register for more than six credit hours in a 5.5 week summer
session.
Good Standing and Acceptable Academic Progress,
Semester-Credit Programs and Grade Point Average.
Good Standing
Good standing is the maintenance of a cumulative grade-point
average (GPA) of 2.00 or better (on the 4.00 scale used at Austin
Community College). A 2.00 GPA is the same as a “C”
average. In order to graduate from any degree or certificate
program, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better.
In calculating a student’s cumulative GPA, all course work
attempted at Austin Community College for which a grade of A,
B, C, D, or F was awarded will be considered. The student’s
permanent record shall reflect two grade point averages:
1. All college work taken at Austin Community College, including
developmental courses, if the student took such courses.
2. College work taken at Austin Community College, which excludes
any developmental courses.
Incomplete Grades
The grade of “I” (for incomplete) may be given by
an instructor for a course in which a student was unable to
complete all of the objectives for the passing grade. A grade
of “I” cannot be carried beyond the established date
in the following semester or session. The completion date is
determined by the instructor, but may not be later than two
weeks prior to the end of the semester. The Task Force Chair
or Program Coordinator will approve a change from “I”
to a performance grade (A, B, C, D) for the course prior to
deadline.
Consideration should be given to course load, job and family
obligations when carrying an “I” grade into a new
semester for completion. Grades of “I” that are not
resolved by the deadline will automatically be converted to
a grade of “F.”
In extreme cases, permission may be granted to carry an “I”
grade for longer than the following semester or session deadline;
this must have the approval of the Dean.
In Progress Grades
The IP (In Progress) grade is used for students in developmental
education courses. “In Progress” (IP) may be awarded
to students who remain in the class, are attending, are progressing,
but are not achieving the standards for earning a C or better
in the course. The IP grade is a final grade for the term and
counts toward the student’s term hour load but carries
no grade points or credit toward graduation. An IP grade does
not mean successful fulfillment of the objectives of the course
or completion of remediation. Students who earn an IP and continue
at ACC must re-register in the same course for the next term
that they enroll, unless TASP requirements are otherwise met,
in which case the IP becomes the final grade.
An IP grade is not to be used as an alternative to an Incomplete
(I) grade or a failing (F) grade. TASP-mandated students who
have excessive absences do not qualify for an IP grade.
Students may earn an IP grade in the same course two times.
On the third attempt, the student is not eligible for an IP
grade. The student must earn an A, B, C, D, or F.
Repeating Courses
An asterisk (*) by a course grade on the student’s transcript
indicates that the course has been repeated. In general, when
non-developmental courses are repeated, only the highest grade
earned for the course will be used in calculating the grade
point average.
Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal
The College monitors academic standards of progress to identify
those students experiencing academic difficulty and limits enrollment
and course selection to increase the chances that students will
succeed at ACC. Students are responsible for knowing whether
they are on probation, suspension or dismissal. Ineligible students
who register for college credit classes are subject to dismissal
with forfeiture of one-half of all tuition and fees.
1. Students who fail to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 after
earning 6 credits will enter the Early Alert system. Admissions
and Records will notify students of their Early Alert status
and send them a list of college support services available to
Early Alert Students.
2. Students who on or after the end of their second semester
fail to earn a completion rate of 50% of the credit hours for
which they have enrolled at ACC will enter the Early Alert system.
Admissions and Records will notify students of their Early Alert
status and send them a list of college support services available
to Early Alert students.
3. Students on Early Alert status who either fail to earn a
cumulative GPA of 2.0 or fail to earn a cumulative completion
rate of 50 % will be placed on Academic Probation. Admissions
and Records will place a registration hold on the records of
students placed on academic probation; a Performance Improvement
Plan must be developed with a counselor to remove the hold.
When students raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 and their cumulative
college credit completion rate to 50%, the Admissions and Records
Office will change their status from Academic Probation to Academic
Good Standing.
4. Students on Academic Probation who fail to maintain a cumulative
GPA of 2.0 or cumulative completion rate of 50% will be placed
on Academic Suspension. Admissions and Records will place a
registration hold on the records of students placed on Academic
Suspension. The hold will be removed only after the student
has been out of ACC for one full semester or has successfully
appealed the suspension through a college-wide appeals process.
Students readmitted after suspension or for whom an appeal is
granted must develop a Performance Improvement Plan with a counselor,
and abide by any registration restrictions established as a
condition of readmission.
5. Students readmitted after Academic Suspension who fail to
maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or cumulative completion rate
of 50 % will be placed on Academic Dismissal. Admissions and
Records will place a registration hold on the records of students
placed on Academic Suspension. The hold will be removed only
after the student has been out of ACC for one calendar year
or has successfully appealed his/her dismissal through a college-wide
appeals process. Students readmitted after Academic Dismissal
or for whom an appeal is granted must develop a Performance
Improvement Plan with a counselor, and abide by any registration
restrictions established as a condition of readmission.
6. Students readmitted after Academic Dismissal who fail to
maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or cumulative completion rate
of 50% will again be placed on Academic Dismissal for one calendar
year. The same re-entry procedures as outlined above will apply
to repeated periods of Academic Dismissal.
7. Students receiving financial aid also must comply with the
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipients.
Grade Changes: Requesting the College to Review a
Performance Grade
Review of Course Grading Guidelines
Grades shall be assigned by the instructor teaching the course.
The instructor is expected to provide information to the students
at the beginning of the semester regarding the course, including
the guidelines for grading. If the student has questions about
or objections to the grading policy in a course, those must
be brought up during the semester. Such questions or objections
should first be addressed to the instructor and then, if the
student believes it is appropriate, to the instructor’s
supervisor. These questions are not relevant when determining
whether an error occurred in assigning a
performance grade.
Review of Course Grade Assignment
The very nature of teaching and learning demands that the instructor
exercise professional judgement in the assignment of grades.
The instructor also has an obligation to discuss the grade and
the basis upon which it was assigned with the student, at the
student’s request. If a student believes that an error
has been made in the assignment of a grade, he or she should
bring it to the attention of the instructor within six months
and ask for the error to be corrected. In almost all cases,
the decision of the instructor about whether there was an error
is final.
Occasionally, it is appropriate for someone other than the instructor
to deal with the question of reviewing a possible error in a
grade. If the instructor has departed from the institution and
cannot be reached or if the student alleges that the instructor
is prejudiced in his/her refusal to correct the error, the student
may request that the grade be changed. This request should be
made in writing to a committee of faculty members in the discipline.
The committee has the authority to change the grade to a different
performance grade. This request is handled by the Procedure
for Determination of Error of a Performance Grade, not by the
Student Grievance Procedure.
Procedure for Requesting the College to Review a Performance
Grade
1. The student presents the facts to the instructor who awarded
the grade and requests a different performance grade. (If the
instructor is not available, the student should contact the
instructor’s supervisor to determine when the instructor
will be available. Between semesters, instructors are not expected
to be available. Questions arising during that time must be
postponed until the start of the next semester unless the instructor
can be contacted and agrees to come in and address the questions.)
2. If no agreement is reached, the student may contact the instructor’s
supervisor. The supervisor shall discuss the situation with
the student and advise the student of the process by which a
review of the grade may be requested. The supervisor shall encourage
the student to make an appointment with an ACC counselor to
discuss the process before beginning to prepare his/her formal
request. In order to begin this process, the student shall file
a written request. The written request must be presented to
the supervisor of the instructor and state what error has occurred,
and explain any relevant circumstances. The supervisor shall
immediately forward the written request to his/her Dean.*
3. The student shall present the written request no later than
six months after the grade was awarded. However, if there are
extenuating circumstances which, in the opinion of the Dean,
justify a delay, the Dean may accept the request later than
six months after the grade was awarded. The review process must
be completed within three months from the time the student files
the written request for a review.
4. The Dean shall give the instructor a copy of the student’s
written request and ask the instructor to provide a written
explanation of the grading procedure used and any other information
he/she believes to be relevant. The Dean shall then provide
a copy of the instructor’s written statement to the student.
If the instructor who awarded the grade is no longer employed
by the college, the Dean shall make a diligent effort to locate
the instructor to obtain a written statement. If the instructor
is completely unavailable, the Dean, in consultation with the
Program Coordinator or Task Force Chair, shall provide the student
with a written statement of the information available to them
about the instructor’s grading procedure and any other
information they believe to be relevant.
5. During the process of writing and exchanging their statements,
the instructor may choose to change the grade or the student
may choose to stop the process. If neither of those happens,
the Dean shall appoint a three-member faculty committee to consider
the request. The members of the committee shall be faculty members
from the same discipline. The committee may include faculty
members from other campuses. The committee shall include at
least one adjunct faculty member, unless there are no adjunct
faculty members in that discipline, and shall exclude any instructor
who is a current instructor of the student. The decision of
the committee is final.
6. If there are not three faculty members in the same discipline
to form a review committee, the Dean shall determine reasonable
substitutions.
7. During the committee process, all parties may be questioned
to clarify issues, all evidence and discussion must protect
the confidentiality of student records, and only committee members
shall be present during committee deliberations. If the committee’s
decision is to change the grade, the committee shall explain
the rationale, in writing, to the instructor, the supervisor,
and the Dean, and communicate the result of the process, in
writing, to the student. If the decision is not to change the
grade, the committee shall explain the result and rationale,
in writing, to the student. The Dean shall fill out the appropriate
form and state that this was the result of a committee decision.
* If the Dean is the instructor who assigned the grade, the
Associate Vice President of Workforce Education or Associate
Vice President of Academic Programs, as applicable, shall act
in place of the Dean.
Excessive
Credits Earned Toward an ACC Degree
Students who entered a Texas public college for the first time
in the fall of 1999 are subject to Texas statute 76R SB345 that
limits the number of courses a student may take for which the
State will pay. The limit for each community college student
is 1.5 times the credits required for a two-year degree.
· The credits required for an ACC degree are determined
by what is in the ACC Catalog
· Students who exceed the number of credits required
for a degree by 50% may be charged additional fees.
· Courses for which students receive a grade of W (withdrawal)
are included in the total credit calculation.
· Developmental courses are not included in the total
credit calculations.
This rule also applies to university students and to community
college students who transfer from ACC to Texas public colleges
and universities.
Excessive Developmental Hours
A general academic teaching institution (university) may not
receive funding for developmental courses taken by a student
in excess of 18 semester credit hours. A public community college
district or technical college may not receive funding for developmental
courses taken by a student in excess of 27 semester credit hours
or the equivalent.
Students may not enroll in developmental courses in excess of
27 semester credit hours.
Class Attendance
Attendance Policy, Semester-Credit Courses
A student at Austin Community College is expected to attend
classes in order to progress satisfactorily toward completion
of course objectives. Because objectives can vary from department
to department and from course to course, the instructor shall
inform the student of specific course objectives at the first
class meeting. A student who is not meeting course objectives
may be withdrawn from the course at the discretion of the instructor.
It is the student’s responsibility to consult with instructors
and seek support services when course objectives cannot be met.
Instructor withdrawals may be appealed by the student within
10 days.
Withdrawals from Semester-Credit Courses
When Withdrawals May Occur
Course withdrawals may occur at any time after the official
reporting date of a semester and up to the established deadline
for withdrawals in each semester. The established deadline is
listed in the course schedule and on the Web.
Initiation of Withdrawals
Withdrawals from a course result in a grade of “W”
and may be effected through action taken by either the student,
the course instructor, or the instructor’s immediate supervisor
in the instructor’s absence.
Students who wish to withdraw from specific courses should initiate
withdrawal procedures with the Campus Admissions and Records
Office prior to the published deadline for withdrawals. Students
who are not withdrawn as of the established deadline will receive
a performance grade (A, B, C, D, or F). Students must present
a picture I.D. to withdraw from the course.
Student Appeal of Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal
When a student is withdrawn by the instructor, notice will be
sent to the last address of the student in the student’s
permanent file, and shall constitute written notice. The withdrawal
may be appealed by the student within 10 days after the written
notification. A 10-day period for student appeal will commence
5 days after postmark of the College notice of withdrawal. The
appeal shall be made to the course instructor.
Further appeal may be made to the appropriate campus administrator,
whose decision will be final. The student may continue to attend
class until either the expiration of the 10-day period or until
final disposition of the appeal.
Obligations
to the College
Until a student’s obligations to the college are met, he
or she may be barred from future registration, not be allowed
to graduate, and/or administratively withdrawn from class. The
college is authorized to place “holds” on student
records under the following conditions:
· Unpaid debt to the college
· Failure to make good a returned check
· Failure to make payment on a promissory note or financial
aid overpayment
· Failure to return material or pay fines for issued,
lost, damaged, or overdue materials from the Learning Resource
Services or from any agency/institution with which ACC has a
written agreement
· Ineligibility for aid for which student is registered;
overdue loan; failure to complete files
· Failure to compensate for destruction of, or damage
to, college property equipment or supplies
· Failure to file required documents; enrolling under
false pretenses
· Failure to meet assessment requirement
· Charge back of tuition and fees which were charged
to a credit card
Auditing Courses
Students who wish to audit a course (register for a course without
receiving credit) must do so only on the last day of final registration
for the semester in which they plan to attend (See official
college calendar for dates). Registration is subject to availability
of space. Entrance requirements (except TASP) as well as all
other rules and regulations of the college apply to the auditing
student. Tuition and fees for auditing are the same as those
rates charged to students enrolled for credit. Students may
request a change of status from credit to audit prior to the
official census date.
Graduation
Austin Community College holds annual commencement exercises
at the end of the spring semester. To graduate, students must
satisfy ten requirements:
· Fulfill all obligations to the college including the
submission of official transcripts from each institution attended.
· Request an evaluation of transcripts and military credit
prior to the semester in which they plan to graduate.
· Complete all courses listed in the official degree
plan.
· Maintain a grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale
for all courses work transferred and used in the degree plan
(The GPA’s from ACC and from transfer work remain separate;
they are not averaged together for one GPA).
· Complete at least 25% of the semester hours used in
the degree plan in residence at ACC. Residence hours are to
be satisfied by attending classes. Credit by exam or other nonattendance
credit is excluded.
· Students may not earn more than one Associate of Arts
degree or more than one Associate of Science degree at ACC.
· Students may not receive an Associate of Arts degree
in General studies at the same time or after receiving another
Associate degree.
· Students may not receive a certificate at the same
time or after receiving an Associate of Applied Science degree
in the same program.
· TASP students must pass the certification form of the
TASP Test to graduate from any associate degree program or any
certificate program having nine (9) or more hours of general
education courses.
· A student who meets these requirements must complete
the Graduation Application Form and submit it to the campuses
Admissions and Records Office prior to the deadline date set
in the official college calendar. Graduates are encouraged to
participate in commencement exercises. Applicants for graduation
will be notified of their status by mail. The diploma will be
mailed to the address on file with the Graduation Office.
Catalog in Effect
Students may graduate under the terms of the catalog in effect
when they entered Austin Community College or any subsequent
catalog under which they attended, provided: A) said catalog
is not more than five (5) years old, and B) the students particular
degree or certificate plan has not been discontinued by the
College. Students with majors that are discontinued will be
allowed two years in which to complete such plans before the
official deactivation of the affected instructional program.
Students needing more information about this policy should contact
an academic adviser or counselor.
Academic Honors (Dean’s List)
Academic honors are awarded only for semesters in which the
student has completed 12 or more hours of credit. Students enrolled
in only developmental courses are not eligible for Academic
Honors.
Scholastic Achievement Awards
Scholastic achievement by Austin Community College students
will be recognized by the college at the completion of each
fall and spring semester. Notification of the achievement will
appear on the student’s transcript. Upon graduation, notation
of the honor will appear on the diploma, if the student’s
cumulative GPA qualifies the student for a scholastic achievement
award.
Scholastic Leadership Roll
A student who has completed 12 or more semester-credit hours
of college-credit course work at Austin Community College and
who has achieved and maintained a grade point average of 3.50,
but less than 3.75 (on the 4.00 scale used at ACC) will be eligible
for nomination and inclusion in the Scholastic Leadership Roll
for that semester.
Scholastic
Excellence Roll
A student who has completed 12 or more semester-credit hours
of college-credit course work at Austin Community College and
who achieved and maintained a grade point average of 3.75, but
less than 4.00 (on the 4.00 scale used a ACC), will be eligible
for nomination and inclusion in the Scholastic Excellence Roll
for that semester.
President’s Honor Roll
A student who has completed 12 or more semester-credit hours
of college-credit course work at Austin Community College and
who achieved and maintained a grade point average of 4.00 (on
the 4.00 scale used at ACC) will be eligible for nomination
and inclusion in the President’s Honor Roll for that semester.
Phi Theta Kappa
Since its founding in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has been the only
nationally recognized International Honor Society for American
community/junior colleges. The Alpha Gamma Pi chapter of Phi
Theta Kappa was chartered at Austin Community College in October
1977. In accordance with the international organization’s
goals, the purposes of the Alpha Gamma Pi chapter are the recognition
and promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership
and service, and the cultivation of fellowship among students
at ACC. Students who meet chapter criteria will receive invitations
during the fall and spring semesters.
Transcripts
1. Official transcripts are issued at the Cypress Creek, Eastview,
Northridge, Pinnacle, Rio Grande, and Riverside Campus locations.
2. A fee of five dollars ($5.00) per copy is payable in advance
for each copy. Checks should be made payable to Austin Community
College.
3. Requests will be honored as quickly as possible in the order
of application. During peak periods, such as commencement and
registration, transcripts should be requested two weeks in advance.
All requests must be made in writing by the student. Requests
by persons other than the student will not be honored without
the student’s personal signature (f. c. Federal Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974).
4. The Social Security number of the student is required to
properly identify the student’s file. All financial and
other obligations to the college must be cleared before transcripts
can be released. Transcripts and duplicate certificates for
Technical/Vocational Certificate and Continuing Education students
are issued by the Continuing Education Office located on the
4th floor of the Highland Business Center at 5930 Middle Fiskville
Road, Austin, Texas 78752.
Policy and Procedures for Inclement Weather
Classes at Austin Community College may be canceled due to inclement
weather. If classes are not in session, notification is made
through local radio and television stations, as well as ACC’s
Channel 19. These local media sources should be consulted regarding
resumption of classes. In compliance with the Texas Education
Code, make-up classes may be scheduled to satisfy contract hour
requirements. In such cases, students will be notified through
their Campus Manager. Continuing Education classes will be rescheduled.
