Austin Community College (ACC) values academic excellence and believes that students should demonstrate commitment to this value.

You are expected to attend classes in order to satisfactorily complete course objectives. For distance learning courses, you are expected to comply with the course syllabus requirements.

You will be informed, via a written course syllabus, of all course objectives and the instructor’s course policies. A student who is not in compliance with course policies or not meeting course objectives in the syllabus may be withdrawn from the course at the discretion of the instructor. A student who has been marked as ‘Never Attended’ on the instructor’s attendance certification roster will be administratively withdrawn from the course, effective one day prior to the official reporting date for the course.

It is your responsibility to consult with instructors and meet with your advisor when course policies and objectives, such as the attendance policy, cannot be met. You are strongly encouraged to officially drop/withdraw if you stop attending class for any reason.

Your instructor may initiate your withdrawal from class if your attendance is unsatisfactory. Instructor-initiated withdrawals count toward state limits on course withdrawals.

When the instructor withdraws a student or the student is administratively withdrawn, written notice will be sent by the College to the faculty email address and to the ACC student email address. The student may appeal a withdrawal in writing immediately upon notification within five (5) business days after receipt of the College notice of withdrawal. The written appeal shall be made initially to the course instructor who will respond in writing within five (5) business days. The student may appeal the instructor’s decision within five (5) business days to the appropriate department chair, then the dean, whose decision will be final.

Excused Absence for Religious Holidays: In accordance with state law, ACC allows an excused absence to students for the observance of a “religious holy day,” defined as a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Section 11.20, Tax Code. You are excused from attending classes or other required activities, including exams, during travel for and observation of a religious holy day. The law mandates that you must complete assignments or exams missed during the absence within a reasonable time. The instructor may appropriately respond if you fail to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination.