Dec 09, 2024  
2017-2018 Arapahoe Community College Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Arapahoe Community College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Resources and Services



Accommodations - Disabilities

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, ACC provides students with documented disabilities academic accommodations based on an individual needs assessment. Support services may include:

  • Test accommodations
  • Readers
  • Scribes
  • Interpreters and/or amplification devices
  • Ergonomic furniture and equipment
  • Materials in alternative formats
  • Note takers
  • Assistive computer equipment
  • Class assistants

To request accommodations, contact Student Access Services in Room M2710 of the Main Building at the Littleton Campus, or call 303.797.5937. Students with disabilities are responsible for providing documentation of disability from a qualified professional.

Address Changes

You are expected to keep your address and other contact information updated and current with ACC. You can update your address and other contact information at www.arapahoe.edu by accessing myACC.

Advising

Academic advising is a crucial first step if you are beginning a college program. Advisors will help you explore academic goals and select courses based on basic skill assessment tests and programs of study. New and continuing students are encouraged to meet with an Advisor every semester to help clarify goals and stay updated on program changes. The Advising office also offers assistance in:

  • Registration
  • Selecting courses based on placement test results
  • Choosing a program of study or major
  • Course sequencing and prerequisite selection
  • Add/drop and withdrawal process
  • Selecting courses for transfer to a four-year college or university
  • Referral information and contacts with agencies prepared to meet specific student needs

Connect with Academic Advising through http://www.arapahoe.edu/student-resources/academic-advising or 303.797.5664. Academic Advisors are available to meet with students at the Littleton, Parker and Castle Rock campuses.

Assessment

Basic Skills

If you are a first-time college student, are planning to enroll in college-level English or math, or you are a recent high school graduate, you must complete assessment in English and math. The purpose of assessment is to provide you and your Advisor with information useful in selecting courses and planning for success in college. The college placement test provides you with competency scores in English and math. There is a charge for the test; it is un-timed.

You can walk in to take the college placement test at the Littleton campus; the Testing Center is located in the Main Building Room M2210. Call the Testing Center at 303.797.5993 for days and hours.

Testing is also available at the Parker Campus (303.734.4822) and the Castle Rock Campus (303.660.3160) please call to make an appointment. 

Placement test accommodations are provided to qualified students with disabilities. To request accommodations, contact Student Access Services in Room M2710 in the Main Building of the Littleton Campus, or call 303.797.5937; v/tty users should call Relay Colorado at 711.

If you are a new student enrolling in a degree program, you must take the College Placement test unless you have documents that show you:

  • have achieved these minimum scores on the ACT College entrance exam within the past five years: Mathematics 19 and Writing 18; or
  • have achieved these minimum scores on the SAT College entrance exam within the past five years: Mathematics 500 and Writing 470; or:
  • have achieved these minimum scores on the ACCUPLACER assessment test within the past five years:
  • have achieved these minimum scores on the CCPT assessment test within the past five years:

Exemptions are granted if you:

  • have successfully completed a college-level math and college-level writing course or:
  • have successfully completed necessary developmental course(s), if required, in mathematics; writing and reading. “Successfully completed” means you have earned a grade of “C” or higher; or:
  • have earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or higher degree

To receive an exemption, you must present documentation to the Testing Center, Advising, or to Admissions and Records. Assessment scores (either CCPT, ACCUPLACER or ACT/SAT) are valid for five years.

Some ACC programs require specific minimum assessment scores for admission; please refer to the admission requirements for the specific degree/certificate in this Catalog or at www.arapahoe.edu/departments-and-programs/degrees-and-certificates.

A charge is assessed to take the assessment college placement test; the charge is payable at the testing facility. A 24-hour wait period is required before retesting.  A student interested in a third testing attempt must wait 90 days and must receive approval to take the assessment test for a third time.

A charge is assessed for each portion of the college placement test you retake. If you test below college level in two or more of the assessment test subjects, you will be required to meet with an Advisor before registering and you may be required to enroll in certain courses. The College provides materials if you want to review skills before taking the college placement test. The materials are available at on the Testing Center webpage at https://www.arapahoe.edu/student-resources/testing-center/placement-test. Students who have applied to ACC for the current semester may use the Math Lab and Writing Center for additional support for placement testing.

Developmental Studies Courses

Rapid skill development is the goal of developmental studies. If you need to boost your basic skills to succeed in college, sign up for these courses. First-time students are encouraged to take AAA 109  to ensure success in college-level studies.

Research has shown that students who take recommended developmental courses perform better in college. Your academic Advisor can help you determine which course(s) you need based on your placement test scores. If you are required to take developmental courses, you must complete them within your first 30 credit hours at ACC.

Developmental Studies courses include:

Students functioning below the secondary level on educational achievement or placement tests, or who need longer-term remedial education, should contact the Developmental Studies Department at 303.797.5825, or the Advising Center at 303.797.5664. Most Developmental Studies courses may not be used to satisfy program graduation requirements.

Bookstore

Our Bookstore, on the first floor of the Littleton Campus Main building, is the official source for new and used books. You can order books, review our refund and buy-back policies, and access other store information at http://www.efollett.com/. The campus bookstore sells school supplies, bargain books, laptops, software, ACC gifts and apparel, study guides, greeting cards, technology supplies and more.

Campus Police

The Campus Police Department is a full service department that consists of professional police officers and staff dedicated to working in partnership with the campus community. Services include: taking incident reports, investigating alleged crimes, providing motorist assistance, safety escorts, managing lost and found, first response to emergency situations and victim assistance referrals.

Parking Services

All ACC Littleton campus, Art and Design Center and Parker campus lots require an ACC permit.  Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. The Art and Design Center requires a Lot J permit, which is ONLY available to students registered for classes at the Center.

Parking permits can be purchased at the Cashier’s Office, located in the Main Building of the Littleton Campus, or online.  Once purchased, parking permits are issued at the Campus Police office, located at the Littleton Campus, Main Building, Room M2630.  The cost for a parking permit is $25 for a one semester permit or $40 for an annual permit.  You may also purchase your parking permit at the Parker Campus and Castle Rock campuses.  Students must be registered for classes for the current or future semester.

Security Phones

Littleton campus classrooms have in-house security phones. The Campus Police Department can be reached by calling ext. 5911. If no immediate answer, call 9-911.

Parker campus and Castle Rock campus classrooms have in-house security phones. These phones are in-house and 911 only. For 911 these must be dialed as 9-911

Code Blue emergency phones are located in each parking lot at ACC’s Littleton campus, Parker campus, and the Art and Design Center.

Cancelled Classes

If a class is canceled, staff will make every effort to notify you before you arrive at class. In addition, notices will be posted near the classroom. If there is no posted notice and your Instructor does not appear, check with the school office (Room A2000).

Insufficient Enrollment

The Vice President for Instruction may cancel any course with insufficient enrollment. Every effort is made by staff to contact students affected by these cancelations. In addition, notices of classes canceled for insufficient enrollment are posted on the classroom door.

Career & Transfer Center

The Career and Transfer Center is here to help you develop your career and academic plan and transition from ACC to continuing education or the workplace. Services include career exploration and decision-making, job search and employment services, and transfer information.

Career Exploration and Planning

Undecided about a major or career? Career exploration can help you make one of the more important decisions in your life. Career assessments are available, both free and for a nominal fee. The Center provides up-to-date information on career decision making and occupational information. You can develop a career plan to fit your needs and focus your future, based on realistic self-knowledge.

Employment Services Available

  • Full-and part-time, temporary and seasonal employment postings
  • Resume critique and job search counseling
  • On-campus employer recruiting
  • Job fairs, job search, resume writing and interview technique seminars

The Center will work with you to answer specific questions about your job search and can provide practice interviews.

Transfer Information

Resources and information are available to assist with making decisions about your next steps beyond ACC and to pursue transferring to a four-year college or university. The Career and Transfer Center facilitates visits with transfer advisors from several universities and hosts an annual College Transfer Fair.

College Closure

Sign up for the ACC Notification System (via myACC) to receive a text message about campus closures, emergencies and important student account information. Television and radio stations and the website (www.arapahoe.edu) will also be alerted to College closures.

Comment Cards

ACC is committed to listening and responding to student compliments, complaints and suggestions. Comment cards are available in each ACC facility. These cards are collected regularly by staff and reviewed by the Executive Team. You can submit a card anonymously or can request a personal response.

Emergency Messages

There is no paging system at ACC, but emergency message delivery will be provided through the Campus Police Department (303.797.5800). We cannot tell callers where a student can be found, but we will make every effort to locate a student with a message about a REAL emergency (family/medical).

Grade Reports

Grades are not mailed. You may access your grades at www.arapahoe.edu by accessing myACC.

Grievance & Appeal Procedures

If you are taking any Arapahoe Community College courses, and you have a complaint about your experiences with Arapahoe Community College, you have two options:

  1. You can follow Arapahoe Community College’s process for student complaints, or you may also contact the Higher Learning Commission, which is Arapahoe Community College’s accrediting agency.
  2. If you are residing outside of Colorado while attending Arapahoe Community College, in many cases you can file a complaint in the state where you are residing. As required by federal regulations, please refer to the list of agencies in each state where complaints can be filed.

Before exercising either of the above options, you should know that most (if not all) external complaint processes require that the student exhaust all avenues of complaint internal to the institution before they will consider a grievance.

Learning Commons

See Weber Center for Learning Resources

Learning Options

In addition to traditional classroom-based courses that are a full semester in length, ACC offers a variety of courses in other formats to help meet the needs of students.

Accelerated Courses

Accelerated courses require less classroom time than traditional classes. Accelerated classes have additional hours by arrangement with significant outside classroom coursework.

Arrangement Courses

Arrangement courses require students to complete projects and class activities with faculty direction.

Flex Courses

FLEX courses provide flexibility of learning at your own pace. Instructors post hours in the classroom when they will answer your questions, support your progress and promote your success.

Hybrid Courses

Hybrid courses have less classroom time than traditional classes and provide additional online activities and online class content. Students may use computers at the Open Computer Lab at ACC’s Littleton campus to meet the online requirements of the hybrid class.

Independent Study

Independent study is to meet your individual needs and to foster strong faculty and student connections. This course format allows you to learn and study at your own pace under the guidance an Instructor.  If you are interested in an Independent Study course, talk to an Academic Advisor or an Instructor. You must complete a contract when you register that includes the course title, credits, learning objectives and strategies. For more information, contact the Admissions and Records Office at 303.797.5621.

Late Start Courses

Late start classes begin any time after the second week of the semester.

Online Courses

Online courses are regular college-credit courses that are taught online as opposed to in the classroom. Though online courses require due dates and interaction with other students in the class, they offer flexibility to the busy, highly motivated, self-directed student. If you wish to take an online course you must have an email address, access to a computer with upto- date hardware and software and Internet connectivity. Students may use computers at the Open Computer Lab at ACC’s Littleton campus.

Webcast Courses

Webcast courses provide the access convenience of online courses, with the in-person faculty and student interaction of traditional classroom-based courses. Students attend Webcast courses on scheduled days and times, but they attend via the web utilizing software that allows the students and faculty to see and interact with each other.

Library

See Weber Center for Learning Resources.

Name Changes

If your name changes due to marriage, divorce or other reasons, contact Admissions and Records immediately. You will need to provide appropriate documentation to process a name change. The only forms of acceptable supporting documentation to change a name are: valid Colorado Driver’s License, valid Colorado Identification Card (issued by the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles), United States Military Card, United States Military Dependent Identification Card, United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card, Native American Tribal Document, United States Passports (except for “limited” passports), or Birth Certificate from any state, the District of Columbia and all United States territories (valid photo ID must accompany birth certificate).

Open Computer Lab

The Open Computer Lab is on the first floor of the Main building at the Littleton campus. ACC students will need a current Student photo ID card. The computers offer Internet access, email and Microsoft software as well as specialized instructional software.

School Email Address

All ACC students are assigned a school email address upon acceptance to the College. You will be notified of the email address in your acceptance letter. You will be able to access your email address via myACC at www.arapahoe.edu. You must activate the email address.

ACC communicates with students via email only through the school-issued email address and all official college communications and notifications will be to the school-issued email address.

Smoking

Smoking and the sale of tobacco products are prohibited in all campus buildings pursuant to State Executive Order D003690. Smoking is permitted in outside designated smoking areas only.

Student Class Definition

Your academic year classification is made according to the number of credit hours you have completed. We use the following definitions to determine your classification:

Freshman: A student who has successfully completed fewer than 30 semester credit hours.

Sophomore:  A student who has successfully completed 30 - 59 semester credit hours.

Junior:  A student who has successfully completed 60 - 89 semester credit hours.

Senior:  A student who has successfully completed 90 or more semester credit hours.
 

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook is an essential resource for students at ACC. The Handbook includes detailed information about renting a locker, posting items on the bulletin boards, opportunities in and around campus, Student Rights and Responsibilities, the Code of Conduct and much more. The Student Handbook is available online. Please direct any questions about the Student Handbook to Student Engagement Center, Littleton Campus, Main Building, Room M2720.

Student Math Support Center

The Student Math Support Center provides free drop-in tutoring by Faculty and students for all math classes. Tutors provide assistance with math concepts, homework, online resources and graphing calculators. For more information, visit the Math Support Center in M2850 or call 303.797.5258.

Student Photo ID

You can obtain your Student Photo ID from the Admissions and Records Office (Littleton Campus, Main Building, Room M2480), the Parker Campus, or the Castle Rock Campus. Your Student Photo ID card is required to check out books and materials from the library, to use the Fitness Center, Open Computer Lab, and to buy/sell books in the bookstore. Cards are valid for 2 years. Replacement cards cost $10.00.

Student Rights, Freedoms & 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 honesty statement and grievance procedures are stated in the ACC Student Handbook.

The Handbook is available in the Student Engagement Center, Littleton Campus, Main Building, Room M2720 or at www.arapahoe.edu/departments-and-programs/schedules/catalogs. For answers to specific questions, contact the Director of Student Life.

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center is a free, drop-in tutorial service staffed by advanced students who have excelled in their classes. Students can work individually with tutors and also attend small group sessions that focus on specific courses. From time management to test taking, tutors offer valuable tips on what it takes to be successful. For more information, visit the Student Success Center, located in the Open Computer Lab at the Littleton Campus, Main Building, Room M1650 or call 303.797.5669.

Student Writing Center

The Student Writing Center is an appointment based tutoring service that offers one-on-one tutoring sessions (in-person and online). The Center works with student writers of any skill level and can provide support and guidance for all college writing assignments. We can assist with resumes, cover letters and scholarship essays. While not a proofreading or editing service, we are happy to help with proofreading, revision and documentation. Please call the Writing Center or visit www.arapahoe.edu/writingcenter to schedule an appointment or call 303.797.5893.

Weber Center for Learning Resources

The Weber Center for Learning Resources at ACC houses the college library and learning commons. The library contains over 30,000 print books and over one hundred print periodicals in addition to over 150,000 ebooks and thousands of academic journals in digital form. The learning commons provides computers, free wireless internet access, individual and group study spaces, a writing center and a flex lab for faculty to student tutoring. The library and learning commons are staffed with professional librarians and research professionals to help with student, faculty, staff and community needs. The Weber Center for Learning Resources is open weekdays and Saturdays.

Wireless Internet

ACC provides open wireless Internet access in most common areas of the buildings on the Main Campus, the Castle Rock Campus and the Parker Campus. If you have problems connecting your laptop to this network contact Information Technology at 3199 from a campus phone, or 303.797.5700 extension 3199 from off-campus.