FacStaff Change Guide: New Policies and Programs Coming this Fall

Changes to several college policies, processes, and programs will impact students and employees beginning in fall. Â Some changes are in process. Updates will be provided through faculty/staff announcements on the ACC Faculty & Staff webpage.

ACC Catalog Goes Online in May

The college’s first online-only catalog goes live in late May. Print copies of either the entire 2014-15 catalog or designated sections will be available upon request from Duplication Services. Critical academic and general regulations, degree plans, and credit information appear in the catalog. As a convenience, portions of the catalog are republished in a smaller student handbook available from the Student Services Office.

ACC’s core curriculum has been revised to align with state requirements.

Core Curriculum Gets Major Revision

ACC’s core curriculum has been revised for 2014-15 to align with the new 42-credit core curriculum changes adopted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. There are new subject categories and some new course names. The revised core curriculum is available at austincc.edu/core and will be published in the 2014-15 catalog.

Degree Map Full Launch in September

A collegewide launch of Degree Map, an interactive degree audit tool, is planned for September. Currently, the tool is available to students after they meet with a Student Services advisor or counselor.

First Year Seminar Pilots Planned

The college is proposing a mandatory First Year Seminar beginning in spring 2015. The 15-hour noncredit course is designed to teach college survival skills and will be required of all first-time-in-college students; dual-credit students are exempted until after graduation. If approved, the college will hire an FYSE director. Pilot seminars are planned for this summer and fall. Â View a Q&A about the proposed first year seminar.

Highland Campus Opens for Fall

Highland Campus will open for classes, giving ACC 11 full-service campuses. ACC Highland will feature a full slate of core curriculum classes and will be home to the ACCelerator instructional lab — 604 computer stations to support individualized learning. It also will be home to the Math Department’s new all-levels Developmental Mathematics course (MATD 0421 — details below). Campus manager is Linda Morrison; dean of students is Dorado Kinney. View the Highland Campus Course Schedule.

Proposed End of Late Registration

The college is considering eliminating late registration for all students. Previously only first-time-in-college students were prohibited from registering after the first class day. Registered students still could add classes during the add/drop period, and non-registered students wishing to register for a class after it has begun could seek written permission from the department chair or an instructional assistant dean.

Name Changes: OSD & Human Development

Two departments are adopting new names. The Human Development Department (HUDE) will become the Student Development (SDEV) Department, while the Office for Students with Disabilities will become Student Accessibility Services. Read more at about the SDEV name change and the OSD name change.

New Fall Registration Dates

Fall registration and payment deadline dates have been streamlined. Registration will be segmented by three groups only: 30+ credits, 1-29 credits, and new students (open registration). Three corresponding tuition payment deadlines are closer to the start of classes, giving students who register early more time to pay. Registration begins May 12. See fall 2014 registration dates.

Beginning this fall, all first-time ACC students must complete online orientation before they can register.

Orientation Mandate for All First-Time ACC Students

Beginning this fall, all ACC applicants (not just those who have never attended college) must complete orientation before they can register for classes. In-person orientation is no longer offered. Students will access an online module (austincc.edu/orientation) that covers ACC-specific info and takes about 30 minutes to complete. An ACCeID is required.

Groundbreaking Math Course Accommodates All Levels

ACC will begin offering Developmental Mathematics (MATD 0421) exclusively at the Highland Campus this fall. The new course is an alternative to current developmental courses — Basic Math (MATD 0330/0332), Elementary Algebra (MATD 0370), and Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390) — but is open to anyone. After taking a diagnostic assessment, students proceed with lessons that target the skills they need to master. MATD 0421 classes will be in the Highland Campus ACCelerator, the college’s new state-of-the-art lab. Learn more at All-Levels Developmental Math Class Debuts at Highland Campus.

Vet Tech Program Launches

ACC is forming the inaugural class of Veterinary Technician Program students at the Elgin Campus. Dr. Kerry Coombs is the new program chair. He previously chaired the vet tech program at Brown Mackie College in Kansas City. View the vet tech webpage for program information.

Employee Technical Support/Student Help Desk Requests Separated

Beginning in June, faculty and staff help requests relating to ACC- issued computers, peripheral equipment, or software will be handled by the Technical Support Desk. Employees can request help by completing the online Help Service Request form. The Technical Support Desk will have new hours effective May 12: They are: Mon.: 7 a.m. — 6 p.m.; Tues.-Fri.: 7 a.m. — 5.p.m. Note: The Technical Support desk will have a new phone number and webpage in early June. The Student Help Center (Help Line) will handle student requests only.

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