Dean of Students

The Student Handbook is filled with information you need to be successful at ACC. It will help you understand college processes and to identify and locate services available at ACC.

The General Assembly implemented the Student Bill of Rights (C.R.S. 23-1-125) to assure that students enrolled in public institutions of higher education have the following rights:

• A quality general education experience that develops competencies in reading, writing, mathematics, technology and critical thinking through an integrated arts and science experience.
• Students should be able to complete their Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree programs in no more than sixty credit hours or their baccalaureate programs in no more than one hundred twenty credit hours, unless there are additional degree requirements recognized by the commission.
• A student can sign a two-year or four-year graduation agreement that formalizes a plan for that student to obtain a degree in two or four years, unless there are additional degree requirements recognized by the commission.
• Students have a right to clear and concise information concerning which courses must be completed successfully to complete their degrees.
• Students have a right to know which courses are transferable among the state public two- and four-year institutions of higher education.
• Students, upon successful completion of core general education courses, should have those courses satisfy the core course requirements of all Colorado public institutions of higher education.
• Students have a right to know if courses from one or more public higher education institutions satisfy the student’s graduation requirements.

A student’s credit for the completion of the core requirements and core courses shall not expire for ten years from the date of initial enrollment and shall be transferable.

Student Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities

Through its procedures, Arapahoe Community College (ACC) ensures the rights of all its students to pursue their educational objectives. The ACC community includes students who are enrolled in ACC courses for credit or non-credit courses, including Community Education courses. The ACC community also includes faculty, staff, administrators and guests.

A student is subject to two sources of authority: College authority and civil-criminal authority. ACC also expects students who are enrolled in specialized programs to follow the standards specified in their respective program handbooks (e.g., Nursing, Law Enforcement Academy and Emergency Medical Technician).

Judicial processes, including code of conduct, academic misconduct statement and grievance procedures are stated in the ACC Student Handbook. The Handbook is available online. An alternate format of the Student Handbook can be obtained through the Dean of Students office, Room M2720. For answers to specific questions, contact the Associate Dean of Judicial Affairs and Support Services.

The ACC community has the right to be free from sexual violence. All members of the ACC community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. Access our procedures and resources related to Sexual Misconduct and Title IX.

The following are the College's regulations on drug and alcohol presence on campus and the consequences for non-compliance.

Code of Conduct

The following actions and/or behaviors violate College rules and regulations and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary proceedings: Possessing, selling, furnishing, distributing or consuming alcoholic beverages on College property, including on-campus or off-campus events, sponsored by the institution; or appearing on campus while intoxicated as defined by state and local laws.

Legal Sanctions

There are legal sanctions for violations of the Code of Conduct. Any student convicted of the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use or abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol is subject to criminal penalties under local, state or federal law. Penalties range in severity from a fine of $100 to $8,000,000 and/or life imprisonment. The exact penalty assessed depends upon the nature and severity of the individual offense.

Penalties

The College will impose penalties against students who violate our Code of Conduct. Violators are subject to disciplinary action. Sanctions include, but are not limited to, probation, suspension or expulsion from the College or probation, suspension or termination of employment and referral to authorities for prosecution, as appropriate.

Health Risks

Many health risks are associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Risks include, but are not limited to, malnutrition, brain damage, heart disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, mental illness, death, low birth-weight babies and babies with drug addictions. Personal relationships, family dynamics, ability to work and study are also at risk.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention information is available through Human Resources. Counseling resources are available through the Dean of Students Office.

The Law

ACC is a state community College governed by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education. Board Policy requires the College to comply with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Amendments of 1989 (PL 101 226 in Federal law). A copy of this law is available in the Human Resources office. The College has adopted the following Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program:

Illegal Substances

A controlled substances schedule is on file for your reference in the Dean of Students Office.

Referral Resources

Referrals for counseling, treatment, rehabilitation and re-entry programs are available through the community:

Mental Health Center, Arapahoe, 5500 S. Sycamore St., Littleton

303.797.8858; emergency line 303.730.3303

Mental Health Center, Jefferson, 5265 Vance, Arvada

303.425.0300 (Jefferson County residents only)

Professional Psychology Center at University of Denver - 303.871.3626

Alcoholics Anonymous - 303.975.8677 or 303.322.4440 (24-hour hotline)

Narcotics Anonymous – 303.832.DRUG (3784)

Focus on Recovery, Helpline – 1.800.234.0420

You may also consult the yellow pages for a listing of private and community based programs. Check listings under “Alcoholism Treatment” and “Drug Abuse Information and Treatment.”

This information is provided in compliance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Amendments of 1989 (PL 101-226).

Learn more about ACC policies, procedures, and guidelines related to students, employees, and the community.

The Team includes professionals from across the College committed to being caring, confidential resources and, when necessary, to provide referral to services to assist a student, faculty or staff member.

The Team's role is to determine effective strategies for addressing concerns and identifying the responsible parties for enacting those strategies. Concerns that rise to the level of being a potential Student Code of Conduct violation will be addressed through the College's disciplinary procedures (located in Policies and Guidelines and Disciplinary procedures).

Employee concerns will be referred to Human Resources.

Please report immediate threats (self-harm or violence), to a student, faculty, staff member or to the community, to Campus Police 303.797.5800 or 911.

What should be reported to The Team?

The Team collects information on observable behavior such as:

Academic Misconduct - including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, grade tampering, misuse of computers and other electronic technology, or facilitating academic misconduct.

Classroom or Behavior Concerns - related to appropriate conduct where the behavior or concern could impact the office or classroom setting (i.e. repeated outbursts, inappropriate language, poor attitude, off topic questions/discussions).

Health/Safety Concerns - that pose a high, but not immediate, risk for harm or danger to self, others or the ACC community (i.e. self-harm ideation, injurious behavior, misuse of drugs/alcohol, non-specific threats).

Personal Concerns - related to the personal well-being of an ACC Community member (i.e. death of a family member/friend, homelessness, illness/hospitalization, unusual behavior, relationship issues).

Possible Policy/Procedure Violations - that may violate the Code of Student Conduct or the Student's Rights.

How a concern is resolved

1. A team member receives the referral electronically.
2. The Team will meet and discuss the concern.
3. Additional information from the reporter and other people may be collected.
4. The Team assessed the situation and intervention tools are utilized or made available.
5. A team member follows up with the reporter (as appropriate and in keeping with system procedures and federal and state laws)

The Team utilizes a protocol to ensure that critical behavior or mental health issues or incidents are addressed appropriately. For referrals that require immediate intervention, the Team convenes immediately to assess the situation and develop an appropriate response.

The Team's Mission, Learning Outcomes and Goals

Mission:

The CARE Team exists to provide proactive assistance, early intervention and caring confrontation to create a safe and healthy college community. 

Goals:

1. To build relationships, make resources available and provide support to those who are struggling.
2. To advocate for personal and social accountability, practice ethical behavior and balance personal freedom with the interest of the ACC community.
3. To minimize or eliminate disruption to the teaching-learning process, the community and College operations through early intervention and support.
4. To maintain confidentiality, when possible, and handle matters discreetly.
5. To assess potential disruption, threats and violence utilizing an objective process for evaluation and intervention
6. To provide clear, designated referral points to share concerns and provide transparent communication regarding how the Team addresses concerns.
7. To retain students, faculty and staff as valuable members of the ACC community.

Complaint Form - Civil Rights

Student Grievance Form - Non-Civil Rights

Extenuating Circumstances Appeal for Tuition Credit (PDF)

Extenuating Circumstances Appeal for Tuition Credit

Medical Documentation Form for Extenuating Circumstances Appeal

The ACC CARES Act Emergency Grant can help meet your needs. The CARES funding available to ACC is limited and the funding available to ACC students will be distributed as soon as possible while the funds last. Applying for the funding early is strongly encouraged. Visit the ACC CARES Act Emergency Grant page to learn more and to apply.