Dear ACC,
As we begin our second week of online learning, teaching, and working, our state and local communities continue to prepare for the spread of COVID-19. City and county officials are increasing recommendations to stay-at-home and work remotely. As a result, Austin Community College will take additional steps to protect our community and help slow the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summer Classes
All summer session classes and support services will move online. All students may register for summer classes beginning May 4. Courses that require a significant hands-on component that cannot be converted to online may begin after July 6.
Pass/No Pass
The college will extend the Pass/No Pass grading option to students for both spring and summer 2020 classes. All students will receive a letter grade at the end of the semester and may then choose to either accept the letter grade or take a Pass/No Pass. Pass/No Pass will not impact a student’s GPA.
Campus Operations & Remote Work
All ACC campuses will remain closed to students and the public through May 31. We ask all non-essential faculty and staff to stay home and work remotely through May 31. For those who must come to work, we ask that you practice social distancing, wear protective facial covering, and take precautions.
Commencement
All in-person events are canceled through summer. Unfortunately, this includes our spring 2020 commencement. While I know this comes as a disappointment to students who have worked so hard to reach this milestone, the college is planning a special way to celebrate your achievements and more information will follow. Most importantly, I invite all graduates to join us for the fall 2020 commencement held in December so that we may recognize your accomplishments in person.
We are in uncharted territories that require extraordinary teamwork to navigate. I am grateful for your ongoing efforts, flexibility, and ingenuity to face challenges and find solutions. Together, we have successfully moved instruction and student services to a virtual environment. We are raising money to increase the Student Emergency Fund and we’re distributing hundreds of iPads to ensure all students have the technology they need to finish the semester strong.
To our students, thank you for rising to these challenges with amazing perseverance. Your college will do everything we can to protect your health and safety and keep you on a path to successful course completion.
While none of this has been easy, it warms my heart to see the remarkable results when Riverbats come together. Please be safe by taking recommended precautions to wear a cloth face covering when you leave your home, practice social distancing, and wash your hands often. Continue to stay updated at austincc.edu/coronavirus. We will get through this, together.
Regards,
Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D.
President/CEO
Austin Community College District
Back to Top