Student
Services
Austin
Community College is an institution committed to helping all
students achieve their educational and career goals. This section
of the Catalog provides basic information about programs and
services offered by the College to increase the chances that
students will succeed. Check the web address listed under Student
Services for information about office hours, additional services,
or contact people.
Advising
Academic advisers assist new college credit students to complete
the application process, review state-mandated TASP requirements,
understand ACC’s placement policies, and evaluate assessment
results. Once a student is admitted to ACC, advisers collaborate
with counselors and faculty to provide accurate, up-to-date
advising information to students. Advisers also assist Early
Start high school students, visiting students, and transfer
students from other institutions trying to take classes at ACC,
and One-Stop students hoping to continue their education at
Austin Community College.
ACC+ (Plus)
ACC+Plus (Partnership in Learning for Under-Prepared Students)
is an innovative program in which developmental faculty and
professional counselors work together to provide targeted support
services for students in developmental courses. These services
include, but are not limited to an early academic alert program
and workshops on study skills, time management, test taking
skills, dealing with test anxiety, listening skills, conflict
resolution techniques, and learning styles.
Assessment
ACC offers assessment services at all campuses. In addition
to the entry-level testing described in the Assessment and Testing
Section of the Catalog, the College provides assessment tools
to help students get a better picture of their abilities, interests,
personality skills and values in order to select appropriate
courses, majors and careers. When appropriate, counselors work
with faculty members in providing diagnostic testing to assess
student learning problems and to offer workshops on preparing
for a test, dealing with test anxiety, and improving test taking
skills.
Child Care and Textbook Payment Assistance
The Support Center assists eligible students in Applied Science
degree or certificate programs to pay for child care and/or
textbooks while attending ACC. The Support Center also has a
textbook Lending Library, and provides counseling services and
community referral information. PLEASE NOTE: Students must meet
certain eligibility requirements before receiving Support Center
services.
The Children’s Laboratory School, a separate program, is
a preschool program that also serves as a demonstration school
for ACC’s Child Development Program. The Children’s
Lab School is located at the Eastview Campus and enrolls young
children of ACC students, faculty and staff.
Evening child care is available at the Eastview campus at a
reduced rate for students who need short term child care while
attending evening classes.
Counseling and Educational Planning
Counselors are available at every campus to assist students
in defining educational and career goals, learning to benefit
from instruction, and dealing with life challenges which may
reduce their chances of succeeding at ACC. Counselors provide
three types of services: pre-enrollment, after enrollment, and
transition. Pre-enrollment Services include establishing liaison
relationships with area middle and high school counselors, leading
orientation groups, and working with academically at-risk students
during their initial ACC registration. After-enrollment Services
include direct services to students as well as partnerships
with faculty members to increase the chances that students will
succeed. Direct services to students include advising and educational
planning, career and crisis counseling, a tracking system for
academically at-risk students, and targeted support services
for underprepared students. Faculty-counselor partnerships include
the Advising Program, the Retention Program, and ACC+. Transition
Services include programs to assist students to transfer successfully
to a college or university or to locate employment related to
their field of study at ACC.
Cultural Centers
The African-American Cultural Center at the Eastview
Campus strives to increase understanding in the ACC and Central
Texas communities of the culture, history and contributions
of African-Americans. The African-American Cultural Center offers
many opportunities to students:
· An academic environment they can feel comfortable in
as they pursue their educational goals
· A respect for, knowledge of and appreciation for their
heritage
· Opportunities for faculty members to increase their
awarenes of and sensitivity to cultural dynamics
· Mentoring
For more information, contact Roland Hayes, director, at 223-5166
or Stacey Thompson, associate director, at 223-5165.
In an effor to provide a link between ACC and the local Latino
community, the College established the Latino/Latin American
Studies Center. Known as El Centro, the
center is involved in the recruitment and retention of Latino
students and in championing the educational goals of Latino
students in nearby school districts. Housed at the Eastview
Campus, El Centro will launch an exciting mentoring
program for public shool students in 2001-2002. For more information
about El Centro or the community mentoring program, contact
Mariano Diaz-Miranda at 223-5224 or visit El Centro’s
web site at http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/rss/centro
Financial Aid
ACC offers a wide variety of programs to assist students in
paying for their college education. See the Financial Aid section
of this catalog or the Student Services web page for detailed
information about ACC’s comprehensive financial aid program.
Job Referral
In cooperation with Workforce Development faculty and various
community agencies, Retention and Student Services will expand
job referral services to ACC students during the 2000-2001 academic
year. These services will include assistance with the job search,
resume writing and interviewing processes as well as referrals
to jobs related to the students’ area of study at ACC.
Workforce Connection
ACC advisers are housed at two Workforce Centers, one in North
Austin and one in South Austin. These advisers work with advisers
and counselors on ACC campuses in assuring that Capitol Area
Workforce Development Board clients enter and benefit from the
services available at the College.
New Student Orientation
The faculty and staff of Austin Community College believe that
participation in orientation increases the chances that students
will succeed at ACC. Therefore, the College requires new college-credit
students to participate in orientation. ACC offers three orientation
options at convenient times and places: small group sessions,
a Web-based tutorial, and an interactive booklet entitled A
Guide to Getting Started at Austin Community College
Services for Students with Disabilities
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented
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. These accommodations may include, but are not limited
to, interpreters, note takers, mobility assistance, targeted
orientation sessions, registration assistance and testing with
accommodations. Because ACC prefers to have all accommodations
in place the first day a student enters a class, students with
disabilities are urged to apply for accommodations at least
three weeks before the start of a term. ACC also works with
the Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC), The Texas Commission
for the Blind (TCB), and other community service organizations
to provide support services to students. For additional information
about support services for eligible students with disabilities,
contact the following offices:
Cypress Campus (Room 1006) 223-2026 (voice) 223-2019 (TTY)
Eastview Campus (Room 2100.4) 223-5188
Northridge Campus (Room 1120) 223-4726 (voice & TTY)
Pinnacle Campus (Room 216) 223-8300 (voice) 223-8067 (TTY)
Rio Grande Campus (Room 206) 223-3142 (voice) 476-9601 (TTY)
Riverside Campus (Room 8138) 223-6242 (voice)
Student Life
The mission of the Student Life Office is to “complement
the academic program of studies and to enhance the overall educational
experience of students through the development of, exposure
to, and participation in quality social, cultural, intellectual,
recreational, and leadership advisery programs.” Through
participation in student government, student organizations,
special events, recognition programs, leadership training and
opportunities, student publications, and cultural heritage programs,
students gain leadership and teamwork skills that give them
an edge in the professional world. Visit the student life website
at www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/rss/sao/sao.htm for additional
information about programs and services.
Clubs and Organizations
ACC encourages all students to participate in at least one student
organization. There are over twenty student organizations registered
each year, created by students for students. Each organization
is dedicated to some aspect of student life: professional development,
cultural enrichment, political action, or community service.
Current ACC students in good academic standing are invited to
form new organizations if none of the registered organizations
meet their needs. A complete listing of student clubs and organizations
is on the web at www2.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/rss/sao/currentorgs.htm.
Cultural Heritage Series
This series of events celebrates the rich and vast contributions
made by individuals of diverse ethnicities’s and cultures.
The Student Activities Office conducts special events to coincide
with national celebrations and features regional and nationally
recognized leaders, artists and writers throughout the year.
Make A Difference
The Make A Difference Project is a national day of helping others,
that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. This
year’s event is scheduled on October 27, 2001.
Coordinated through the Student Activities Office, the Make
A Difference Project recruits ACC students interested in leadership
through service, to join with college students across the country
to participate in the National Make A Difference Day. Interested
students should contact the Student Activities Office at 223-3114.
Leadership Awards and Recognition
Student Activities coordinates the Who’s Who Among Students
in American Community Colleges, the PTK/USA Today/AACC Scholarship
competition, and the Presidential Student Achievement Award.
Leadership Training
The Student Activities Office sponsors leadership training for
all students interested in acquiring skills to become a student
leader. Leadership retreats, luncheon seminars, and outdoor
adventures are some of the ways students can develop or acquire
leadership.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official voice
of the student body, functioning as a crucial link between students
and the ACC administration. By acting as an advocate for student
concerns, the SGA works to improve the quality and value of
the educational experience for students at ACC. The SGA appoints
students to College committees and provides monthly updates
to the Board of Trustees.
Student Newspaper
The student newspaper, ACCent, provides information for students,
staff, and faculty at all ACC campuses and sites. The publication
serves as a lab for journalism students to publish their work
from classes. Copies of the ACCent are available in all campus
student lounges.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Austin Community College is an educational institution committed
to challenging individuals to explore new ideas and see new
opportunities. The college’s mission is to provide a wide
range of high quality educational services to its students in
an environment that supports the ideals of quality, flexibility,
accessibility, and diversity. Student involvement in College
activities and organizations is strongly encouraged. Student
input regarding the improvement of the college’s educational
services is valued. Students at the College have the rights
accorded to all persons under the Constitution to freedom of
speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These
rights carry with them the responsibility for each individual
to accord the same rights to others in the College community
and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process.
As willing partners in learning, it is expected that students
will comply with College rules and procedures. ACC’s disciplinary
procedures are outlined in detail in the ACC Student Handbook,
which new students receive during orientation. They also are
outlined in program-specific handouts which students in selected
programs receive during their first semester at ACC.
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
The following statement concerning student records maintained
by Austin Community college is published in compliance with
the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The release
of information to the public without the consent of the student
will be limited to that designated as directory information.
Directory information includes name, address, telephone number,
date and place of birth, major field of study, participation
in activities, dates of attendance, degrees, certificates and
awards, and name of the previous educational institution attended.
Any student objecting to the release of all or any portion of
such information must notify the Office of Admissions and Records
within the first twelve class days of the semester. The restriction
will remain in effect until revoked by the student.
Students’ Role in College Decision-Making
The participation of students in ACC’s decision-making
process is an important institutional value. Participation in
decision-making occurs in several ways: program and instructor
evaluations, monthly presentations to the Board, participation
in the Student Government Association, focus groups and the
Student Activity Fee Committee. During orientation, new students
receive information about the Student Government Association
and are asked to indicate their interest in participating as
a member of this group. The Student Government Association appoints
students as voting members to many college-wide and campus-specific
committees where they influence decisions on a variety of issues
from the budget to the registration process to the remodeling
of college facilities.
