Conflict

Administration of Discipline 

The campus dean of student services is primarily responsible for student discipline.  It is a good idea to consult with the department chair when the conflict reaches the point of requiring discipline.

Student Complaints

Formal Process

1. The student is required to discuss the problem and attempt to resolve it with the faculty member before filing a complaint.

2. If the complaint is unresolved, the student must request a meeting with department chair within 10 days of meeting with faculty member.

3. Students may file a complaint about a faculty member by filling out a Student Complaint form available through Student Services or by writing a letter outlining the complaint and submitting it to the department chair. When the department chair receives the complaint, the chair will send it to the dean within 5 days of complaint received by department chair.

4. Dean will schedule a meeting with student. The dean will deliver a decision in writing within 10 business days of the meeting.

5. If the student disputes the dean’s review of the complaint, student may appeal within 10 business days to the vice president. Student’s complaint and supporting documentation will be forwarded to vice president who may request an appointment to discuss the appeal or may choose to make a decision based upon a review of the written documentation. The vice presidents will make a decision concerning the complaint and notify student of the decision in writing within 10 days of receiving the appeal. The decision of the vice president is final.

Grade Disputes

If a student disputes the final grade received in a course, he/she must take the following steps:

1. Discuss the issue directly with their instructor within three months of the final grade being issued. If the instructor does not respond within 10 business days or 2 weeks, then the student should contact the department chair. When an instructor is off contract, the department chair may address the grade dispute if the student prefers not to wait until the instructor returns.

2. If the student and instructor are unable to reach a resolution, the student should submit a request for a Formal Grade Review to the department chair within three months after the grade is awarded: https://www.austincc.edu/student/students-rights-and-responsibilities/grade-disputes/formal-review-of-final-course-grade

3. The department chair forwards the student’s written grade dispute to the dean.

4. The dean gives the student’s written grade dispute to the instructor and requests a written response.

5. Student’s grade dispute and instructor’s response are reviewed by a three-member faculty Grade Review Committee appointed by the dean.

6. Review Committee makes a final decision concerning grade dispute and the dean notifies faculty and student in writing of their decision.

Disruptive Conduct

The Administrative Rules describe disruptive conduct as

1. Behavior that significantly interferes with or disrupts any ACC teaching, research, administrative, disciplinary, public service, or other authorized activity 

2. Behavior that threatens the health or safety of members of the ACC community, visitors to ACC, or participants at ACC sponsored events

3. Destruction or defacing of college property

4. Illegal occupation of college property or facility

5. Threats to freedom of access or movement 

6. Illegal trespass

7. Failure to comply with the direction of college officials acting in the performance of their duties

8. Possession or use of ACC keys for unauthorized purposes

9. Failure to identify oneself or misrepresenting one’s identity to an authorized ACC representative while on ACC property or at ACC-sponsored events

Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process: https://sites.austincc.edu/administrative-rules/?p=1567

Contact a counselor in Student Services if a student’s behavior is threatening or disrupting class. Faculty can require a student to leave class if their behavior is threatening or disruptive. If the instructor feels that the student is in imminent danger to themselves or others, they should contact ACC Campus Police at (512) 223-7999.

If the instructor feels the student’s conduct could benefit from specialized intervention, a CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Response) referral can help.

Dual Credit student misconduct should be reported to both the student’s high school counselor (listed in the Faculty Memo provided at the beginning of the semester) and the student’s ACC Academic Success coordinator with the Office of College & High School Relations (CHSR). If the instructor feels a Dual Credit student is in imminent danger to themselves or others, they should contact the high school’s resource officer, administrator, or the designated contact for their high school campus.