South Austin Campus Student / Board Forum Notes Thursday, April 4, 2013, 12:30 p.m. ACC Board Chair: ACC Board Trustee: Presiding:
Jeffrey Richard Guadalupe Sosa
Jon-Paul LaTier: South Austin SGA Senator Javier Villegas: SGA Parliamentarian
1. There are three developmental education math courses. They are too drawn out. They could be condensed. The first and second courses could be put together. Each developmental math course has students with a variety of preparation. Basic Math Skills, being the lowest level, has the widest spectrum of preparation. For some students developmental mathematics courses are review, but for other students the courses are information they have never previously seen. In order to most appropriately serve the individual needs of students, the Math Department offers the courses in various formats and session lengths. It is important to note that approximately 40% of ACC students who are first-time-incollege (FTIC) place into developmental ed math and 22% place into basic math skills. Many of those students are not prepared to do Basic Math Skills at the pace that it currently has. Thus, it would be grossly unfair to many students to condense Basic Math Skills and Elementary Algebra into a single course. Some of the options that the Math Department does offer to accelerate students through the developmental sequence: a. There are 8 week classes for well-prepared students which would allow a student to complete two courses in a single semester. b. Computer-mediated classes allow students to proceed at their own pace. A student could complete a developmental course and move into the next course during the semester. Some students have completed the entire developmental sequence in one semester through computer-mediated classes. c. Distance Learning sections also allow students to proceed at their own pace. d. Students can use a combination of various formats and session lengths. A student could take a computer-mediated or DL Basic Math completing it in the first 4 or 8 weeks and follow it up with a 12 week or second 8 week section of Elementary Algebra. e. There is also a fast track Elementary Algebra/Intermediate Algebra (co-requisite sections of MATD 0370 and MATD 0390) that allows students to complete both courses in a single 16 week course. 2. What are the future plans to enhance the food options at South Austin Campus? Is it possible to have food trucks? ACC has had a request for a proposal for food vendors. The response to the proposal has not been sufficient. Students have been represented on the committee. Purchasing continues to solicit all manner of food service for the District (including food trucks and food carts). The response continues to be low due to a perceived low ROI (return on investment).
Page 1 of 3
3. Is it possible to have day care at South Austin Campus? The issues are cost, quality, and liability. The Trustees know and believe that child care is important to students. ACC has a child care lab school as a part of the child development program. However, there are no other plans for child care facilities at the existing or new campuses. There is interest in a child care facility at the Highland campus. The ACC Support Center program, located at all campuses, except Rio Grande Campus, runs a voucher program to help students with low incomes pay for child care while enrolled at ACC. Students may apply for assistance at http://www.austincc.edu/support/financialaid/center/. Assistance includes regular meetings with the Support Center Specialists to address academic and personal concerns, including how to locate quality child care.
4. Is it possible to get more computers, projectors for the library? Due to current budget constraints, additional computers will not be forthcoming. There are 15-20 computers in the library. Over 15 laptop computers are available for checkout from the library. There are 40 computers in the open lab, next to the library. There are 55 computers affiliated with the Learning Lab. There will be improved signage on easels in the high traffic areas before the summer session begins to assist students in locating the labs. To help with the rush at the beginning of each session, the Campus Manager’s office and the Learning Lab staff set up a help desk with a computer in the lobby for the first week to give directions. 5. Some professors assign textbooks and they do not use them in class. Students should discuss this issue with their professors. If they are not satisfied with the response, they should complain, in writing, to the Department Chair. Department Chairs are listed on the website at http://www.austincc.edu/orgref/pdfs/reflist.pdf 6. What is the possibility of having a gym at South Austin Campus? Kinesiology classes are not offered at South Austin Campus, as they are at Northridge and Riverside campuses, where gyms are located. The gyms are limited at ACC because of resources. Special programs are offered only at some campuses due to limited resources and facilities. Student Life offers the intramural sports of basketball, volleyball, soccer, and football. Contact Tracy Partin, Intramural Coordinator at
[email protected], (512) 223-3167 for more information. Does ACC have agreements or offers from nearby gyms? The Student Life Coordinator will investigate a discount for students and post the results in the student lounge. 7. Some professors do not use Blackboard. It is the choice of the professor to use Blackboard. You are encouraged to let your professor(s) know the advantages of Blackboard, to students. 8. Some GED students do not receive bus passes. This is a cost issue. GED students do not pay the sustainability fee of $1/credit; however, this is a concern of the Board, and they will continue to seek ways to support this request.
Page 2 of 3
9. Could the Library and Learning Lab hours be extended during finals week? This has been suggested, and it is under discussion. This is a budget issue, but this will be considered for Academic Year 2013-2014. 10. Is there a plan to increase scholarships? ACC scholarship opportunities continue to increase each year. To date, in academic year 2012-2013, ACC has awarded 717 external scholarships and 354 ACC Foundation scholarships totaling $1,398,976. Learn more about scholarships at http://www.austincc.edu/scholarships/
Page 3 of 3