Each year, the Teaching & Learning Excellence Division (TLED) print wall calendar is designed to inspire faculty to take a deep dive into higher education issues, and this year’s edition is no different. This year’s theme is “Empowering Students by Meeting Basic Needs,” with each month in the calendar highlighting specific essential resources, showcasing how Austin Community College (ACC) and the surrounding community address twelve basic needs through:

Innovative curriculum integration

  • ACC faculty have addressed students’ basic needs within their instruction, from free sewing classes to mental health workshops.

Supportive campus resources

  • From food pantries to technology loans, ACC campuses are equipped with resources designed to support students’ daily needs directly.

Active community engagement

  • We collaborate with local organizations and initiatives to extend support beyond the campus, ensuring that our students can access comprehensive services and opportunities within the wider community.

The goal of this calendar is to ensure faculty are informed about the essential resources available to students. We hope this will help create an educational environment where all students can succeed. For April, the basic need being highlighted is Legal Assistance.

Legal Assistance

We’re committed to ensuring every student has the tools they need for success. Navigating legal challenges can be overwhelming and can interfere with students’ ability to stay focused on their academic journey. Whether facing housing disputes, discrimination, or personal safety concerns, students benefit from knowing that help is available. This month, we shine a spotlight on the legal support services ACC helps connect students to—resources designed to reduce stress, promote equity, and ensure all students feel supported both in and beyond the classroom.

Legal issues can significantly impact students’ ability to focus on their education. ACC offers resources to help students access affordable legal advice and representation. We provide information on no-cost or low-cost legal assistance, housing resources for renters, and tenant-landlord education. Specialized support is available for students affected by sexual assault and interpersonal violence, as well as immigrant and disability resources for our diverse student body. LGBTQIA+ students can find tailored legal resources. In partnership with the Travis County Law Library, which offers legal advice clinics and connects individuals with free legal services, ACC ensures students have access to the legal support they need to succeed.

Resources to Share With Your Students

Housing Resources and Information

Guidance for renters, including tenant-landlord education.

  • Austin Tenants Council Project: Programs focusing on housing discrimination, tenant-landlord education and information, and housing repair and rehabilitation.

LGBTQIA+ Resources

Legal resources specifically for LGBTQIA+ students.

  • ACC’s Chosen Name Process: ACC has created a process to allow students to request the use of a chosen first name and pronouns within the college’s records and systems.
  • LGBTQIA+ Students’ Rights Toolkit: This toolkit is designed to help students, parents, guardians, and advocates seek full equality and dignity for LGBTQIA+ students in Texas schools.

No Cost or Low-Cost Legal Advice & Representation

Information on accessing affordable legal services.

  • Principles of Participatory Defense Program: Equipping people with the tools needed to represent themselves and/or family members, assist attorneys when needed, understand basic court procedures, and impact the outcome of their cases. 
  • Texas Law Library: Find legal aid, hotlines, clinics, lawyers, advocacy organizations, and legal information. People can also ask a librarian for help navigating through the resources and accessing e-books and databases that can help them represent themselves in court. 
  • Texas Legal Services Center (español): Legal advice, education, and representation are provided at no cost.

Sexual Assault & Interpersonal Violence Legal Resources

Support for affected students.

  • ACC’s Title IX – Sexual Misconduct Assistance: Addressing concerns or inquiries regarding discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and gender-based harassment.
  • Safe Alliance (español): Victims of violence and their families can get wrap-around services, including legal assistance and advocacy services, providing direct legal representation and legal advice.
  • Texas Advocacy Project (español): Attorneys are available M-F 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through the phone line (Hotline: 800-374-4673 or 512-476-5770) to help with a variety of legal concerns related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Pro-bono representation or virtual legal clinics are also available.

Additional Resources & Information

For the complete list of all available resources, click here.

These resources are for the convenience of the community and do not represent sponsorship, endorsement, or approval of any agency or service. For assistance accessing resources, contact [email protected]. 

Discussing and addressing these needs is essential for creating an educational environment where all students can succeed. By supporting these fundamental areas, we foster a culture of care and resilience, empowering students to focus on their goals without stress from unmet needs. This calendar aims to inform faculty about these resources, allowing them to share directly with students and address these needs in their instruction.

To learn more about all twelve basic needs highlighted in the TLED Calendar, visit the TLED print wall calendar web page and explore more essential resources.

ACC is committed to supporting every student’s basic needs. We are more than an educational institution —we are a community that cares, supports, and grows together.

“Every Need. Every Student. Every Day.”

 

Forgot to request a calendar? No worries! Additional calendars and sticker packs are available for pick-up at all ACC campus libraries and Teaching & Learning Centers (TLCs). Contact your campus library or TLC to confirm availability.