Austin Community College District (ACC) will implement new safety measures on campus beginning in the spring 2023 semester as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen campus security and ensure the continued health, safety, and well-being of the ACC community.

Starting Tuesday, January 3, 2023, ACC campus and center buildings will operate with identified main entrances. These are areas where all students and visitors on campus can enter a building during normal business hours. All other building doors will operate under access-control technology. That means these doors will automatically lock from the outside and require an approved key card for entry even during regular operating hours.

“Establishing a primary access point(s) for every college building is an important preventive safety measure that aligns with federal best practices,” says Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm, ACC’s executive vice chancellor for Operations & Public Affairs. “By limiting access points into our buildings, ACC can better identify those who should be on the campus and provide an opportunity to expedite searches in the event of a suspicious item or person. Even with primary access points, every door will continue to function as an exit point from the building.”

To ensure a smooth and seamless transition, ACC students will need to be prepared with the following:

● ACC-Issued ID cards | All students will need to display a valid ACC ID card while on campus. These cards are free and available at any Campus Admissions and Enrollment office. Find instructions for getting a current ACC student ID card on the Student ID Card webpage.

● Learn Your Designated Entrances | Each building will have a designated entrance or multiple entrances depending upon the size of the building. These doors will be open during business hours for students and visitors. This is where you can and should enter. The doors at these entrance points will remain unlocked and open during regular business hours as posted at each campus.

● If You Forget/Lose Your ID Card | We understand you may lose or forget your ACC-issued student ID card. In such instances, you’ll want to follow the protocols for all college visitors. Upon arrival, please visit the Campus Manager’s office. Here, you will sign in and obtain a temporary badge for the day.

As always, if you see something, say something. If something doesn’t seem right, such as someone propping open a door to the outside, please call ACC Police Dispatch at 512-223-1231.

Tags: ACC Campus, ACC Safety and Operations, Entrance