Online Student Handbook

Our core student support team is comprised of three student-centric advising roles. Advisors work collaboratively on behalf of our students to ensure personalized support and clear lines of communication. View your dedicated support team and their contact information in your myACU portal. The three major components of your Student Support Team are:

Admissions Advisor

Admissions Advisors partner with students to determine the program that best fits their educational goals. Advisors follow the student throughout the entire application process and answer all questions about programs, forms, fees, and actionable steps before beginning the selected program. The advisor also provides students with information on any potential transfer credits and admission requirements.

Financial Intake Specialist

A Financial Intake Specialist explains the financial options available and helps students select a plan that meets their specific needs – including external grants, scholarships, loans, tuition deferral, and other services such as military/veteran benefits. They are the student’s financial expert throughout the academic experience and can answer any financial questions.

Student Success Advisor

The Student Success Advisor supports students throughout the duration of their program. They walk students through navigating the online classroom, Canvas, and learning how to be an online learner at ACU. Their role at the beginning of a student’s journey is to ensure that students have the materials necessary to start strong in their education. From resources to encouragement, our advisors provide the essential support for a student to adjust to the online environment. As students progress in their program, student services advisors answer specific questions about course schedules, advise on program requirements, and provide academic support. They work with students through their graduation date to help that student retain and persist. They are a resource for academic policy and procedure and also provide students with valuable insight concerning resources to assist students throughout their academic program. We want to walk alongside you in your spiritual and educational journey while supporting our Christian mission with a commitment to helping students identify their work as a vocation that contributes to furthering God’s purposes for the world.

As outlined below, new students at ACU are invited to engage in a three-part orientation process. This orientation is specifically designed to ensure student readiness and success.

New Student Orientation Badges

Once you are officially registered in your courses, you will have access to the Wildcat Welcome Badge in Suitable. The Wildcat Welcome Badge is designed to provide a high-level overview of the resources, processes, and policies you need to be a successful online student at ACU. ACU expects all new students to complete the Wildcat Welcome Badge to better prepare for the journey in your program.

After you complete the Wildcat Welcome Badge, you will receive your ACU Welcome Kit. You will also have access to more badges to learn about ACU history and traditions, additional ACU resources, study and tech skills, financial aid, wellness, career development, and vocational formation. Depending on your program, you may also be assigned a specific badge to help you become more familiar with your program of study.

Student Success Welcome Call

You will meet your student success advisor (SSA) during your Student Success Welcome Call. Your SSA is your academic success partner, offering intentional support, encouragement, and guidance as you start your first course, maintaining a relationship with you through graduation. During these calls, you will spend a little time getting to know each other, learning about the SSA role, and learning how to be in contact with your SSA in the future. The SSA’s goal is to help you feel valued and appreciated as a new member of the broader ACU community.

Live Wildcat Connection Webinar

The week before your first course begins is considered Orientation Week. This week enables students to engage with faculty members and other new students. 

Your student success advisor will schedule a time for you to attend the Wildcat Connection webinar, an interactive Zoom session where you can meet other students in your cohort or college. It is structured to help new students learn how to connect with their support team, utilize MyACU groups to engage with fellow students, and learn strategies and resources necessary to succeed in an online learning environment. 

Over the course of the week, you will also have the opportunity to attend additional webinars to learn more about the Online Writing Center, the Online Library, and vocational formation.

ACU Online has partnered with Barnes & Noble College as our preferred bookstore vendor.

Undergraduate programs and select graduate programs will access their ebooks directly from the courses within Canvas. 

Other programs can purchase books from the bookstore link located in their classroom or on their student portal, located under resources. Books can be charged to your ACU Account and can be paid through your Wildcat Pay Portal depending on your financial decision. Books must be purchased prior to class. Estimated shipping will be included in pricing. Book lists for each course are provided on Barnes and Noble College’s website.

The following is a list of policies frequently of interest to students. For a complete statement of academic policy, please see the University Catalog.

• Academic Calendar
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Leave
• Changing or Adding a Major
• Class Attendance
• Concurrent Enrollment
• Continuous Enrollment
• Degree Plan
• Degree Time Limit
• Dismissal
• Enrollment Terms
• Grade Appeals
• Incomplete Grades
• Probation & Suspension
• Readmission into the University
• Repeating a Course
• Transcripts
• Transferring Credit
• Withdrawal

If a student believes that extenuating circumstances contributed to their academic suspension, the student may wish to appeal their suspension in order to come back early. All student appeals must be received within 4 days of the last day of class and follow the process below:

1. All appeals must be submitted in writing and received by a student success advisor before 5:00 PM CST on the Friday following the end of classes.

a. Although there are no exceptions to this deadline, if a student misses this deadline before their first semester of suspension, they may still submit it before their second semester of suspension. Any late submissions will automatically be held for the next review period. 

b. Students who serve their full suspension are no longer eligible to appeal their suspension. Instead, they should contact their Student Success Advisor to complete a readmission application. 

2. Appeals must include a statement regarding the (a) circumstances contributing to the student’s academic situation and any documentation of those circumstances, (b) steps the student has already taken to address these issues, and (c) a suggested plan of action for raising the student’s GPA.

3. The appeals committee will review all appeals submitted by the deadline and the student will be notified of the decision no later than the first day of class via their ACU email address. The decision is final and may not be appealed.

Philosophy of Discipline

Abilene Christian University maintains Christian discipline, promoting a way of life that is intended to uphold the teachings of Jesus Christ. Therefore, community life at ACU is a disciplined life. Community standards reflect biblical principles and traditional Christian teaching and encourage students, staff and faculty to live lives of holiness, honesty, decency and civility. The intent of all discipline is to enhance growth and maturity, especially responsibility for one’s own behavior and accountability for one’s own actions.

ACU’s philosophy of discipline is neither legalistic nor permissive. Instead, members of our community are called to a high standard of behavior in order to establish and maintain an environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

Standards of Conduct

Within the context of ACU’s mission and its determination to be Christ-centered, students are expected to develop and maintain a high standard of personal and behavioral values. At its core, this expectation is based on loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself.   Standards of conduct include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Respect for ACU’s longstanding tradition of honesty, moral and ethical integrity, and open inquiry.
• Respect for the right and necessity of ACU to develop and maintain a Christian atmosphere conducive to academic study and personal growth.
• Respect for the personal worth, dignity and rights of others.
• Respect for the diverse backgrounds, personalities, convictions and spiritual traditions of students, staff and faculty who comprise the ACU community.
• Respect for local, state and federal laws and ordinances.
• Respect for the discipline, policy, procedures and authority established by ACU for the systematic management of university activities, the well-being of the members of the university community, and the integrity of the institution.
• Regard for the nature of a moral community by embracing the need to lovingly confront and hold accountable members of the ACU community whose conduct falls outside the boundaries of Christian behavior, university policy, state and federal laws.

Purpose of Disciplinary Responses

In order to preserve community, it sometimes becomes necessary to confront and hold accountable members of the ACU family. Procedures have been designed to provide a loving disciplinary response, balanced by justice and mercy. Justice requires that those who violate community standards are held accountable, and those who are innocent are protected. Therefore, discipline must be both corrective and restorative. The goal must be to redeem individuals and to restore relationships so that people can grow and develop in knowledge and grace. The purpose of the disciplinary response is:

• to redirect or stop behavior,
• to protect the rights of others in the community,
• to encourage, educate, and teach responsibility, and
• to maintain a Christian environment compatible with the educational mission of the university.

At ACU, we live in a community. Each person’s actions have an effect on the other members of the community. Policies and our Code of Conduct are intended to help provide guidelines and expectations that promote a Christ-centered, thriving community. Life at ACU fosters this environment with standards reflecting biblical principles of daily living such as honesty, purity, and honoring one another.

The below list of misconduct behaviors does not represent an exhaustive list of possible violations; rather, it seeks to give examples of common misconduct behaviors. Members of the ACU community who become aware of misconduct behavior should complete the online Conduct Reporting Form. 

1. Dishonesty: Lying, misrepresentation or furnishing false information, forgery, or misrepresentation or misuse of academic or administrative materials, including:
   • Failure to accurately list and update current residence and contact information; 
   • Failure to report any criminal history to the university, including by not limited to admissions applications;
   • Dishonesty by omission; and
   • Causing or reporting a false warning of a campus emergency.
2. Safety Violation: Failure to follow parking, fire, emergency or other safety regulations, including the misuse of fire or safety equipment.
3. Failure to Report: Knowledge of certain violations without notifying proper officials, including photos or comments on social networking sites that document suspected violations
4. Property Damage: Engaging or threatening to engage in behavior that would cause property damage to university or personal property
5. Harassment: Cyber-bullying and harassment, including but not limited to the following examples:
   • Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages via discussion board, text message, email, or other messaging service;
   • Cyberstalking, which includes repeated threats or online activity that makes a person afraid for his or her safety;
   • Denigration and humiliation, which refers to posting derogatory information about someone and/or digitally altered photos;
   • Name-calling;
   • Flaming and the use of insulting or offensive language;
   • Impersonation (hacking another’s email or social media to post embarrassing material);
   • Outing and trickery (sharing another’s secrets or tricking someone into revealing embarrassing information); and
   • Any form of threatening communication, abuse, or intimidation.
6. Prejudicial Behavior: Conduct, in speech, written communication, or behavior, that is racist, sexist, ageist, abelist, or that is otherwise prejudicial against a particular community or social group.
7. Disruption of Operations: Disruption or obstruction of the normal operations of the university or disturbances of the peace, including conduct that distracts or intimidates others in a manner that interferes with instructional activities, fails to adhere to an instructor’s appropriate classroom rules or instructions
8. Unauthorized Use: Use of any of the University’s facilities, informational or material properties, and resources without prior authorization. This includes the unauthorized possession or use of university keys, badges, or ID Cards.
9. Creating a Hostile Environment: Causing emotional, psychological, or physical distress or harm to self, fellow students, faculty or staff that is significantly above what is normally experienced in daily life, as determined by the university. Such disruption may manifest as a single behavioral incident or a somewhat less severe but persistent disruption over a longer period. This includes , but is not limited to, harassment or sexual harassment.
10. Hazing
11. Arson: Arson or attempted arson.
12. Assault: Assault that is physical or sexual in nature.
13. Failure to Comply: Not complying with university officials, individuals, or organizations acting on behalf of the university including:
    • Not complying with sanctions,
    • Not complying with success plans, 
    • Not complying with written communication, 
    • Receiving repeated violations of the same type, 
    • Receiving additional violation while on conduct probation,
    • Receiving ddditional violation while on deferred or interim Suspension,
    • Not complying with verbal communications.
14. Conduct Unbecoming: Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, lascivious, indecent, unprofessional, disrespectful or otherwise inappropriate, or that constitutes a breach of the peace.
15. Substance Violation: Bringing alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescription drugs not prescribed to the individual onto University property. This includes participating in or driving to university-sponsored events, classes, or property while intoxicated or under the influence. This also includes the use of tobacco, vape, or e-cigarette products in restricted areas.  
16. Firearm Violations: Bringing firearms, explosives, corrosive chemicals, or fireworks onto university property. 
17. Legal Violation: Violation of state, local, or federal law
18. Policy or Procedure Violation: Violation of any university policy or procedure outlined in the Online Student Handbook, Academic Catalog, ACU Online Learning Covenant, or Programmatic Handbook
19. Dress Code Violation: Students are expected to be dressed in business casual attire whenever participating university events or courses or when present on campus or representing ACU at events. Additionally, some students may have more specific or nuanced dress code rules described in their program handbooks. 
20. IT Violation: Violation of university policy related to computer use and account management.
21. Theft: Theft of items or theft of services, including failure to meet financial obligations for professional and/or rental agreements.
22. Serious AIV: Serious violations of the university academic integrity policy, such as falsifying research data or violations occurring in a capstone, dissertations, or other major academic work. 
23. Multiple AIVs: Repeated violations of the university academic integrity policy 
24. Solicitation: Privately owned business enterprises may not be operated on campus. The AVP of Student Success must approve solicitation by any individual student, student group or outside entity, including advertisements, donations, patrons or any other type of financial support for any ACU or outside activity.
25. Residential Policy Violation: Online students who reside, go to class, participate in events, or otherwise visit the Abilens campus are also held accountable to all published or posted policies including, but not limited to the Student Handbook or Graduate Student Handbook. 

Academic Integrity

For a full list of academic integrity violations, definitions, and procedures, please refer to the ACU Academic Integrity Policy.

All members of the University community who become aware of violations of the Code of Conduct have a responsibility to report them to the appropriate authority. For violations of an academic nature, the appropriate authority is the relevant Program Director or Dean.

Other violations committed by students may be reported to the appropriate Program Director or Dean, or in the case of sexual assault or harassment, to the University’s Title IX Office.

Violations can also be reported anonymously in accordance with ACU’s Whistleblower Policy.

Communicating Professionally with Peers, Colleagues, Faculty and Staff

Members of the ACU community are among the most valuable resources to students. Students are encouraged to reach out to others when and if they need assistance. However, as an institution of higher education, ACU requires all members of its community to communicate professionally. Below are expectations for communicating with others based on the communication method or platform. This list of expectations is not exhaustive. Rather, it seeks to cover the most common expectations. 

Email & Canvas Messages

When composing a message to others in your university email or Canvas account, you should maintain professional communication expectations in every message. Professional communication expectations are: 

• Starting every message with a salutation (e.g., Hello, Good Morning, etc.) 
• Always utilize proper titles (e.g., Dr. Davis, Mr. Jones, Miss Smith, etc.) 
• Utilizing polite and concise information 
• Ending with your full name 
• Never be insulting, use vulgar language, or otherwise be demeaning to any individual
• Never include internet slang or text language (e.g., LoL, BrB, K, U, etc.)  
• Never pepper or bombard others with repeated or repetitive communications

Text Messaging or Chat

Although text and chat are often formats that can be less formal, basics of professionalism are still expected. When composing a text or chat message to others in your university, you should maintain professional communication expectations in every message. Basics of that communication include: 

• Always utilize proper titles (e.g., Dr. Davis, Mr. Jones, Miss Smith, etc.) 
• Never be insulting, use vulgar language or otherwise be demeaning to any individual
• Please note: the content and context of the information should be considered when composing these types of messages. 
• Never pepper or bombard others with repeated or repetitive communications

Meetings & Zoom Meetings

Meetings with members of the ACU community are likely the activity that requires the most consideration for professionalism. When meeting with others, you should maintain professional communication and appearance expectations. Basic expectations  include: 

• Always utilize proper titles (e.g., Dr. Davis, Mr. Jones, Miss Smith, etc.) 
• Never be insulting, use vulgar language or otherwise be demeaning to any individual
• Always maintain a proper tone and volume 
• Never interrupt or talk over others 
• Attend the meeting from a quiet place with an appropriate background
• Maintain appropriate non-verbal communication – do not roll eyes, make crude gestures or otherwise communicate negative sentiments. 
• Dress appropriately – Casual attire is likely appropriate for meetings with other students. However, business casual attire is likely the most appropriate for attending official university functions or meetings. 
• Please note: the content and context of the information should be considered when composing these types of messages. 
• Never pepper or bombard others with repeated or repetitive communications

Phone Calls 

When speaking on the phone with others at ACU, you should maintain professional communication expectations. Basics of that communication include: 

• Always utilize proper titles (e.g., Dr. Davis, Mr. Jones, Miss Smith, etc.) 
• Never be insulting, use vulgar language, or otherwise be demeaning to any individual
• Always maintain a proper tone and volume 
• Never interrupt or talk over others 
• Attend the meeting from a quiet place and while not distracted
• Never pepper or bombard others with repeated or repetitive communications

Social Platforms and My.ACU

When messaging others at ACU, you should maintain professional communication expectations described in the Email & Canvas Messages above. Other considerations include: 

• Only connecting on professional platforms (professional organizations, LinkedIn, etc) 
• Refrain from connecting with employees on social-only platforms (Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.) 
• Remember that all communication on all social and messaging platforms with others in the ACU community should be professional and treated as if they were visible to all members of the community. 
• Do not share communication between yourself and faculty or other students on social media
• Never pepper or bombard others with repeated or repetitive communications
• Do not use these platforms to solicit others
• Refrain from socially or politically charged subjects

Official Communication

Email is considered an official form of University-related communication. It is recommended that students check their email daily to stay current with University-related communications. Students have the responsibility to recognize that certain communications may be time-critical. Failure to check for messages and failure to receive messages due to full mailboxes, spam filtering, or auto-forwarded email are not acceptable excuses for missing official University communications. Students must maintain and provide the University with an email address other than their Abilene Christian University-issued email address.

For course-specific communications, all student and faculty interactions are to be conducted on Canvas via discussion or inbox. Students can link these interactions to the acu.edu as well as the mobile app. Students are expected to check their Canvas and acu.edu email accounts regularly to stay abreast of updates and communication. Students should anticipate a faculty response to questions related to assignments or general course information within 48 hours – this does not relate to the time for assignment grades to be posted.

Please Note: The university reserves the right to record and/or maintain records between the student and the university, including but not limited to phone calls, Zoom meetings, text messages and emails.

Contact Information

All students should regularly review and update their contact information to ensure the University has a valid mailing address, telephone number and email address. Abilene Christian University maintains this information as part of the student record and requires students to update their contact information regardless of whether they have requested nondisclosure of directory information.

Writing Tone
The tone of your writing — how you come across to the reader — is important. When drafting any discussion post, remember the acronym WRITE:

• Warmth: Always consider the intent of your writing. If you think a post sounds rude, your reader will probably think so, too.
• Responsiveness: Your classmates all log in to class at different times. By responding to a question from another student as soon as you see it, you can build positive relationships with your peers.
• Inquisitiveness: Seek to learn from classmates and your instructor. By asking questions, you show that you care about what they think.
• Tentativeness: When you express an opinion, use phrases like “from my point of view” or “my understanding is” to show other students that your opinion is yours — and not the final word on the topic.
• Empathy: Remember the golden rule — treat classmates the way you would like to be treated.

Email Communication

Whenever you write an email or communicate with classmates and faculty, consider these six pieces of advice:

1. If you find yourself in a heated class debate, make sure you only respond when you’re calm and collected.
2. Say what you really mean — sarcasm doesn’t translate to the computer screen. 
3. Type in sentence case — using all capital letters it appears as if you’re yelling. 
4. Keep subject lines short — long ones get cut off on mobile devices.
5. Stick to two paragraphs, keeping the most important information in the first.
6. Forward email messages only when they relate to coursework. Jokes, virus warnings and chain letters are spam that will annoy your recipients.

Example of an unprofessional email communication to a faculty member:

Hey,

How could I possibly get a C on this week’s assignment? I followed all of the directions to a T, and you still marked me down. This grade is UNFAIR! I want you to look at it again and grade it fairly this time!

Example of a professional email communication to a faculty member:

Hi, Dr. Smith.

I have a question about my grade on this week’s assignment. I received a C, and I thought I followed all of the directions very well. I would appreciate getting some clarification from you so I can improve my work next time. Can we schedule a time to talk about this?

Thank you, Jane

Conduct Officials

Conduct Administrator – The AVP of Student Success serves as the conduct administrator for ACU Online and takes primary responsibility for conduct policies and procedures as well as the documentation and record keeping outlined therein. The Conduct Administrator is also responsible for reviewing incoming Conduct Reporting Forms, Assigning Hearing Officers, and Assigning Appeals Officers.

Hearing Officer – The AVP of Student Success serves as the primary hearing officer for ACU online, but may assign or designate another ACU Online official to conduct hearings on their behalf. Hearing officers are responsible for ensuring the hearing process below is followed as outlined. Hearing offices also serve as the primary investigator for conduct violations. 

Appeal Officer – The ACU Dallas Chief Enrollment and Partnerships Officer serves as the primary appeal officer. However, they may designate another ACU Online official to conduct hearings on their behalf. In some cases, a member of academic leadership (such as a college Dean) may be assigned in place of the ACU Dallas Chief Enrollment and Partnerships Officer, depending on the nature of the case. Appeal officers are responsible for ensuring the Appeal process outlined below is followed as outlined. 

Reporting a Violation

Members of the ACU community who become aware of misconduct behavior should complete the online Conduct Reporting Form. Incident reports alleging violations of Student Handbook Policy will be forwarded to the Office of Success from university officials and other members of the university community (including students, staff and faculty). If the university receives reports, complaints or other information possibly involving violations of Student Handbook Policy from local, state and federal agencies, they will be forwarded to the Office of Student Success for investigation. 

Conducting a Student Conduct Investigation

A preliminary review of the facts of the case will be conducted to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant a meeting with the student(s) involved. If it is determined that a hearing is warranted, students will be summoned by email to a meeting where allegations will be reviewed.

Further investigation may be conducted at any point if it is determined necessary by the Hearing officer or an Appeal Officer. Hearing and Appeals officers will determine what evidence is reasonable, including, but not limited to, testimony from witnesses, written statements and other relevant information. In evaluating conflicting testimony or statements, the appropriate Hearing or Appeal officer will determine in good faith which version of events is more credible.

Notice of Hearing

When misconduct warrants a hearing, a Hearing Officer will notify the student in writing of the allegations against him or her and direct them to schedule a hearing. Hearing Officers make every attempt, when possible, to notify the student within five business days of receipt of the Conduct Reporting Form. The hearing provides the student with an opportunity to respond and present his or her version of events, facts, and evidence in his or her defense.

Students have five business days, from the date of the Notice of Hearing, to schedule and attend a hearing. Failure to comply with the Notice of Hearing and other attempts to contact the student may result in the student forfeiting his/her right to the disciplinary process outlined in the Student Handbook. In most cases, failure to participate in the hearing process will result in a decision being made in the student’s absence and/or a registration hold being placed on the student’s account.

It is the student’s responsibility to open, read and act on all university communications related to an investigation, the hearing process, appeals process, and sanctions.

Hearing Procedure

Conduct hearings are a closed, confidential process and recording is prohibited. However, all parties are permitted and encouraged to take thorough written notes for their records. Although rare, the Hearing Officer may request another university employee to be present at a hearing as a witness or to serve alongside them as an additional hearing officer. Additionally, a student may bring a single advisor with him or her to the hearing after completing a FERPA release form and notifying the Hearing Officer three business days prior to the hearing. The notification must include the name of the advisor and his or her relationship to the student. The advisor is to be present for support purposes only and is not presenting on behalf of the student. An advisor who causes disruption to the process will be asked to leave the proceedings. Further, the student is not to bring outside witnesses to the meeting. Statements from outside witnesses can be submitted for the Hearing Officer for consideration as part of the review process. Generally, a hearing will proceed as follows.  

• The Hearing Officer will lead introductions for all participating parties ensuring the provision of names, titles, and role in the process.
• The Hearing Officer will review the general procedures for the meeting and answer any questions the student may have.
• The Hearing Officer will direct questions to the student regarding the report of misconduct.
• The student will provide truthful and full responses to the Hearing Officer.
• The student may present evidence that was not submitted with the referral to the Hearing Officer. Determinations as to the relevance of the evidence are at the discretion of the Hearing Officer.
• The Hearing Officer will close the meeting by reviewing the notice of outcome and appeal policy.

Notice of Outcome

After reviewing all evidence and information regarding the allegation, the Hearing Officer will use the preponderance of evidence standards to determine responsibility and appropriate sanctions.

• If the Hearing Officer finds that the facts do not support the allegation(s), the student will be found not responsible and notified of the outcome.
• If the Hearing Officer finds the facts support the allegation(s) against the student, the student shall be found responsible, and the Hearing Officer will assign sanctions. A student’s entire disciplinary record will be considered when decisions related to disciplinary sanctions are made.

The Hearing Officer will notify the student, using the student’s University-issued email address, of the decision through a formal decision letter. Additionally, the student’s Program Director and any parties involved in the completion and review of sanctions will also receive a copy of the decision letter. As allowed by privacy laws, parents/guardians may be notified of this decision, for example, when students under the age of 21 violate the university alcohol policy. Decisions are not final until this letter is sent to the student. The Hearing Officer will seek to issue its decision within three business days after the hearing but may require additional time to conduct an additional investigation and render the decision.

Sanctions

Sanctions are determined based on the severity of the violation, past conduct history, and any aggravating or mitigating factors. One or more of the following sanctions may be imposed on any student for any single violation of University policy and/or rules. Sanctions include, but are not limited to, those outlined below.

Status Sanctions

Sanctions are determined based on the severity of the violation, past conduct history, and any aggravating or mitigating factors. One or more of the following sanctions may be imposed on any student for any single violation of University policy and/or rules. Sanctions include, but are not limited to, those outlined below.

• Formal Warning: The student receives a written notice stating he or she violated University policy and/or rules. The written notice specifies that inappropriate and unacceptable actions have occurred and that more severe disciplinary action will result should the student be involved in other violations while the student is enrolled at the University.
• Suspension: The student is separated from the University for a specified period. Separation includes physical and electronic removal from the University. During the suspension, students do not have access to Canvas, university accounts, and security deactivates the student’s ID badge. The Registrar’s Office withdraws the student from all classes for the specified term(s). Students who are suspended enter inactive status for the specified period and are not eligible for a refund for incomplete courses outside the University’s Refund Policy. Students should check with Financial Aid to determine whether their student loans will enter into repayment during their suspension. Upon satisfaction of the specified period of suspension and any other outstanding sanctions, the student is eligible to return to the University.
• Deferred Suspension: A student placed on Deferred Suspension is given an official written notice informing them that their action(s) warrant suspension from the university, but circumstances allow for a mitigated response. Deferred Suspension provides opportunity for the student to remain enrolled for a specified period of time before their suspension begins. If while on Deferred Suspension, a student has any additional conduct violations, they will be immediately suspended for at least one full semester. 
• Summary Suspension: A summary suspension differs from suspension in only one aspect; it may be enforced before the appeal process is completed. This sanction may be enforced if the Conduct Administrator determines that the student’s continued presence or participation presents unreasonable risk of danger to members of the campus community or will result in additional conduct violations. In these cases, a student’s electronic and physical access to university property and systems is immediately revoked and will remain in place while the appeal is pending.
• Dismissal: The student is withdrawn from their program and permanently separated from the University. Separation includes physical and electronic removal from the University. The student does not have access to Canvas, university accounts, and security deactivates the student’s ID badge. The student is barred from being on campus, and the student’s presence at any University-sponsored activity or event is prohibited. The Registrar’s Office withdraws the student from all classes for the term. Students who are dismissed enter inactive status, are not eligible for a refund for incomplete courses outside the University’s Refund Policy, and should check with Financial Aid to determine when their student loans will enter into repayment.
• Summary Dismissal: A summary dismissal differs from dismissal in only one aspect; it may be enforced before the appeal process is completed. This sanction may be enforced if the Conduct Administrator determines that the student’s continued presence or participation presents unreasonable risk of danger to members of the campus community or will result in additional conduct violations. In these cases, a student’s electronic and physical access to university property and systems is immediately revoked and will remain in place while the appeal is pending.
• Conduct Probation: A student placed on conduct probation is given an official written notice that defines the terms of the probation period. The terms of conduct probation may include other sanctions, including, but not limited to loss of privilege to participate in university programs, organizations, or activities for a specified period of time. Conduct probation carries the message that continued or repeated violations, during or after the probation period, may result in additional discipline, including but not limited to, suspension or dismissal from the university. 

Educational Sanctions

• Educational Program: Requirement to attend, present, and/or participate in a program related to the violation. It may also be a requirement to sponsor or assist with a program for others on campus to aid them in learning about a specific topic or issue related to the violation for which the student was found responsible.
• Community/University Service: Requirement for a student to complete a specific supervised University service.
• Behavioral: Includes required activities such as but not limited to seeking academic counseling, mental health counseling assessment, personal counseling, and writing a letter of apology.
• Research Projects: This includes required activities such as but not limited to writing papers or creating educational materials and bulletin boards.

Restrictive Sanctions

• Banning/Trespass: The student’s privilege to be present at or utilize certain buildings, facilities, classrooms, and the like are restricted. Temporary exceptions to banning/trespass for University-related business may be granted upon request.
• Eligibility Restriction: The student may be deemed ineligible to hold any office in any student organization recognized by the University or hold an elected or appointed office at the University, or the student may be deemed ineligible to represent the University to anyone outside the University community in any way including participating in the study abroad program, attending conferences, or representing the University at an official function, event, or intercollegiate competition.
• Loss of Privileges: The student will be denied specified privileges for a designated period.
• Confiscation of Prohibited Property: Items whose presence is in violation of University policy will be confiscated and will become the property of the University. Prohibited items may be returned to the owner at the discretion of the Professional Misconduct Committee.

Restorative Sanction

• Apology: The student will compose an apology letter
• Restitution: Compensation for damage caused to the University or any person’s property. This is not a fine but, rather, a repayment for destroyed, damaged, consumed, or stolen property.

Failure to Follow Through on Conduct Sanctions

All students, as members of the University community, are expected to comply with conduct sanctions within the time frame specified by the Notice of Outcome. If a student fails to follow through on conduct sanctions by the date specified, whether by refusal, neglect, or any other reason, the AVP of Student Success will send a Notice of Noncompliance. Noncompliance may also result in a registration hold being placed on a student’s account or suspension/dismissal from the University. The AVP of Student Success tracks the completion of all sanctions in cooperation with relevant parties and departments. Additionally, students are not eligible for graduation or release of transcripts until the completion of disciplinary proceedings and the performance of all disciplinary requirements. Graduation, release of transcripts, and/or participation in commencement activities may be impacted until all requirements are fulfilled.

Right to Appeal

Any student may appeal the Hearing Officer’s decision to the appropriate Appeal Officer only if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

• The Hearing Officer failed to comply with the procedural requirements outlined in the Online Student Handbook.
• There is relevant and material evidence that, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, could not have been produced or was improperly excluded at the hearing before the Hearing Officer.
• The evidence presented at the hearing was insufficient to justify being found responsible for a policy violation.
• The disciplinary response is unreasonably disproportionate to the misconduct (including consideration of the student’s prior offenses or willingness to cooperate in the disciplinary process).

Requesting an Appeal

To request an appeal, the student must complete an Appeal Request Form within two business days from the date the decision letter is emailed to the student’s ACU email address. If the Conduct Administrator has not received the completed form within the specified time frame, the decision of the Hearing Officer will be final, and no further appeals are available to the student. If an appeal is filed (and meets one of the four criteria above), the Conduct Administrator, within 10 business days, will forward to the appropriate Appeal Officer the student’s completed Appeal Request Form, along with copies of all materials provided to the Conduct Administrator, and the written decisions of the Hearing Officer. However, if the appeal does not meet the standards outlined above, the student will be notified their request for appeal is denied.

Role of the Appeal Officer

Upon receipt of the Appeal Request Form, the Appeal Officer will review the student’s file and written statement. The Appeal Officer is not required to meet with the student but may do so if there are questions regarding the evidence the student provided. The Appeal Officer may meet with the Conduct Administrator, Hearing Officer, or witnesses if additional information or clarification is needed.

Decision of the Appeal Officer

Upon receipt of the request for an appeal, the Appeal Officer or their designee has the authority to uphold, overturn, or modify the decision of the Hearing Officer. The Appeal Officer will seek to notify the student of the decision within five business days from receipt of the student’s appeal letter. The student will receive the decision letter via the student’s University-issued email address. Once a final appeal decision is rendered by the Appeal Officer, the student does not have access to the appeal process for the same issue again

Academic Progression during the Appeal Process

Typically, all sanctions, including those impacting academic progression, are placed on hold during the appeal process. However, summary suspension and dismissals or interim measures will remain in effect even during the appeal process. Students who enroll in courses during an appeal process should ensure they are aware of applicable refund policies to ensure they do not receive charges which are not reversible after a final decision is made. Once an Appeal decision is made any relevant sanction dates and deadlines will be updated.

Disciplinary Records Retention and Requests

The Conduct Administrator retains responsibility for the maintenance, storage and release of student records related to disciplinary proceedings in keeping with FERPA. Students may request copies of their discipline files by completing a Disciplinary Records Request form. Disciplinary records for Suspension and Dismissal cases are maintained indefinitely. All other disciplinary records may be kept for a period of seven years, at which time minimal statistics may be retained, and the full document may be destroyed.

For more information on Access to Student Records and Information Release Form (FERPA) is available on ACU’s FERPA Website.

Transcript Notation

Texas law requires Texas higher education institutions to include a notation on the transcript of any student “ineligible to reenroll in the institution for a reason other than an academic or financial reason.” The law also requires that institutions proceed with investigations of serious student disciplinary matters even if the accused student withdraws from the institution. Individuals may request that the university consider removal of a transcript notation for good cause by contacting the Conduct Administrator.

Additional Requirements and Conditions 

The University reserves the right to impose additional requirements and conditions in the disciplinary process as determined by the Hearing Officer or, upon appeal, by the Appeal Officer. Medical or psychological counseling/treatment and/or assessment by ACU or off-campus professionals, including drug and alcohol testing and/or assessment may be required.

Procedures for Violations by Student Groups

Student groups may be found in violation of university policies, and the group may be held responsible, either individually or collectively, for violations by those associated with the group. Alleged violations will be referred to the Dean of Students or designee for investigation and processing under the provisions of the Student Organizations Handbook. Disciplinary responses for a student group may include revocation of the group’s right to exist at the university, as well as other appropriate measures. Student groups will be afforded the same hearing and appeal procedures provided for individual students.

Faculty Role in Violations

Faculty may address instances of academic dishonesty as outlined in the ACU Academic Integrity Policy. Faculty may also submit reports of misconduct behavior using the form provided above. Prior to making a referral, faculty may consult with the Associate Vice President of Student Success regarding misconduct concerns to determine the appropriate course of action.

Student Success Plan/Administrative Agreements

In keeping with the redemptive nature of ACU’s disciplinary philosophy, students who come forward voluntarily confessing a violation of the university policies or an addictive lifestyle associated with a violation (such as illegal drugs, controlled substances, or alcohol) to the Conduct Administrator or academic leadership may be afforded an opportunity to submit to a range of possibilities outside the disciplinary process. The university maintains the right to require the student to enter into professional counseling and/or medical treatment as a condition of continued enrollment if, in the judgment of the Conduct Administrator, the behavior in question warrants such a response. The following conditions must be met in order for students to take advantage of this non-disciplinary policy:

• The student must take the first step by discussing his or her situation with the Conduct Administrator or academic leader in order to develop an appropriate response. If a violation is identified or reported before the student voluntarily comes forward, the normal disciplinary process will ensue, and the student will no longer have the option of a non-disciplinary response.
• The student must be willing to submit to any intervention deemed appropriate.
• The student must understand that in cases where the behavior is repetitive, self-destructive or endangering to others or involves legal issues, the university has the responsibility to take appropriate action, including suspension or dismissal from the university.

Failure to follow through on a Student Success Plan or Administrative Agreement by the date(s) specified, whether by refusal, neglect, or any other reason, may result in a registration hold being placed on a student’s account, referral for a formal hearing, or dismissal from ACU. The Conduct Administrator or designee will track the completion of all requirements in cooperation with relevant parties and departments. 

Amnesty Policy

A student and/or witness who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not be reluctant to seek assistance from university personnel in the event of a health issue (physical or mental) or safety issue for fear of being sanctioned. Abilene Christian University will not pursue disciplinary violations against a student for his or her improper use of alcohol and/or drugs under these circumstances. This practice only applies to amnesty from violations of Abilene Christian University’s policies.

Interim Measures

The Associate Vice President of Student Success may place students on an interim suspension, limit electronic or physical access, and/or place a registration hold on the student’s account in order to protect the health and safety of students or the community, preserve University property, pursue an investigation and/or hearing, protect academic integrity, or prevent disruption of or interference with the normal operations of the University.

ACU’s online undergraduate programs are intended for non-traditional students interested in gaining a bachelor’s degree in an online modality.

To be considered for admission:

1. Students must be out of high school for at least four years.
2. Completed “Adult Online Undergraduate Program” application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.
3. Official transcripts of all previous academic work.
4. Students are not required to submit ACT or SAT test scores.

In making admission decisions, ACU Online works cooperatively with the various program admission committees. The minimum admission requirements for graduate programs are:

1. Complete an application and pay the application fee).
2. An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) from previous schools attended. The transcripts must indicate an earned bachelor’s and/or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent.
3. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
4. Programmatic requirements as stated for each program.

Standard admission is for students who may be fully admitted without further conditions. Other admission types may include Provisional Admission or Probational Admission. Details of the conditions for a specific admission type will be outlined in the Admission letter sent to the student.

The application fee is non-refundable. No action can be taken on an application until the fee has been received. No other waiver of this fee will be considered for domestic or international applicants

Unless otherwise specified by a department, applications are accepted year round. Thus, many programs have rolling admissions based on space available. The admission deadline is determined by the term students choose to enter into. Successful applicants are often early to secure their placement and facilitate their eligibility for financial aid, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. Again, the earlier applicants may enhance their opportunity for financial considerations. Please contact your admissions advisor for admission deadlines.

Admissions are made on the assumptions that applicants page will have all required documentation by the time of matriculation, and if not, the program admission is void. All application material submitted must be accurate. Any erroneous, misleading, or incomplete information may be grounds for termination of the application and/or dismissal from the program. Students taking any graduate or undergraduate coursework between the date of acceptance and the date of first course enrollment at ACU must submit official transcripts that reflect degree conferred for that work before beginning their program at ACU.

An acceptance letter shows admission status, but your program director along with the policies outlined in ACU Catalog indicate the plan of study and completion of the degree alongside requirements for continuation and degree completion. Students who wish to change their entry date must request a later start date in writing before the beginning of the semester of the original admission. Application files are only maintained for one year past original admission date. Applicants who delay their start date for more than one year should expect to begin the application process again, including fees and all required materials.

A student can also enter classes as a special graduate, or non-degree student, a situation normally reserved for those who want to take a few classes without any particular program commitment.

Non-degree students must fulfill the same quality standards in class as fully-admitted students. Also, some courses require admission to a program or special permission before a student is allowed to take a course. A non-degree student can take no more than 15 graduate hours without being admitted to a degree program. However, there is no guarantee that the hours taken will fulfill degree requirements. Therefore, it is extremely important to seek admission and follow a degree plan within a program.

Single course students will be asked to submit all documents as outlined for standard admission. ACU Online works cooperatively with the various program admission committees. The minimum admission requirements for graduate coursework are:

1. Complete the ACU Online application and pay the application fee (acu.edu/onlineapply).
2. An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) from previous schools attended. The transcripts must indicate an earned bachelor’s and/or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent.
3. A cumulative undergraduate and/or graduate GPA of 3.0 or above.
4. Programmatic application documents.
5. Single Course Request Form.

• Regular Access to the internet (5 times a week) 
• Laptop or Desktop Computer (5 years old or newer; Chromebooks are not be supported)
• Webcam
• Microsoft Office 365 (free for ACU students)
• Adobe Creative Cloud (free for ACU students)

• Internet Explorer and Edge
• Chrome (PREFERRED BROWSER)
• Safari Firefox (Extended Releases are not supported)
• Flash (used for recording or viewing audio/video and uploading files)

Internet Speed

Minimum of 512kbps. Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been carefully crafted to accommodate low bandwidth environments.

Computers

• Screen Size

Canvas is best viewed at a minimum of 1024×600, which is the average size of a notebook computer. If you want to view Canvas on a device with a smaller screen, we recommend using the Canvas Application

• Windows 8.1 or newer

1.8 GHz (gigahertz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor* 4 GB (gigabyte) RAM (32-bit) or 8 GB RAM (64-bit) minimum

16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

64 MB DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

• Mac OSX 10.10 Yosemite or newer

1 GHz Intel processor (or higher) 2 GB RAM

8 GB available hard disk space Including any Macintosh produced within the past 5 years:

• • MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Pro

Mobile Devices

• iOS 12 or newer
• Android 5 or newer 
• Chrome OS is not supported
  
  

Recommended

• Macintosh: VoiceOver Included with OSX 10.10 Yosemite and newer PC: JAWS Windows 8.1 or newer
• PC: NVDA Windows 8.1 or newer
• There is no screen reader support for Canvas in Chrome OS.

Required Components for Screen Readers

Flash is required in several places in Canvas: media recording/streaming and viewing as well as uploading files to a course or an assignment. Other than these features, Flash is not required to use most areas of Canvas. Please note that some browsers, such as Firefox, may no longer support Flash.

The Java plug-in is required for screen sharing in Conferences. Please note that some browsers do not support Java. Otherwise, there are no other browser plug-ins used by Canvas.

ACU maintains a comprehensive program of financial aid, including financial planning and consultation to help students and their families meet the expenses of higher education. The primary responsibility for financing education rests upon students and their families. Assistance from ACU and other sources should be considered as supplementary to the primary responsibility of the student and the family. ACU strives to supplement students’ needs by awarding a combination of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study for eligible students. ACU attempts to distribute all financial aid resources in an equitable manner and follow the guidelines established for federal, state, and institutional funds.

Financial aid for students pursuing online degrees is available in the form of federal student loans. The following items should be completed during your application process. The federal school code for ACU is 003537.

*Please note that ACU cannot release your funds until all forms are received and processed and your award is accepted.

Contact a financial advisor at (877) 698-2793 or via email at onlinefinaid@acu.edu.

Students must make satisfactory academic progress in order to maintain eligibility for financial aid. The minimum acceptable cumulative grade point average requirements are 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students. Additionally, students must earn passing grades in a cumulative minimum of 66.67% of the hours attempted. (Undergraduate students in their first 45 credit hours attempted towards their degrees must meet 50% pass rate or higher.) Satisfactory academic progress is measured at the end of each long semester (fall, spring, and summer). The full SAP Policy is available on the Student Financial Services website.

ACU is approved by the Veterans Administration to administer educational benefits for eligible veterans, service persons, reservists, widows, and children of veterans. Eligibility and equivalent educational benefits are determined by the Veterans Administration (VA). The VA Coordinator, located in the Registrar’s Office, coordinates the services to the students receiving veteran’s educational benefits. The certifying official collects, completes, and processes the required substantiating documentation. The VA Coordinator also serves as a point-of-contact and direct liaison between the veteran, the university, and the VA. The certifying official is not part of the VA but an employee of ACU. Students receiving VA benefits may reduce or eliminate eligibility for other financial assistance in order to comply with federal, state, or institutional policies. In order to certify a student’s enrollment using VA benefits, Abilene Christian University requires all students to submit the VA Benefits Certification Request Form found here.

Billing statements are available to students via the Wildcat Payment Portal. Students will receive an email to their ACU email address alerting them when a statement is available to view. The statement is provided in electronic format; no paper statements are mailed. It will include all charges (tuition, fees, books, etc) and financial aid awarded. Students should check with their Financial Intake Specialist regarding settlement dates.

1. Pay the current total balance or enroll in a payment plan on the Wildcat Pay Portal. More information regarding the payment plan options available to online students is available here.
2. Tuition Deferral Plan – Students may be eligible for a tuition deferral plan if their employers offer to repay some or all of their employee tuition OR student receives benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs including the following: Montgomery/Top-Up (Chapter 30) benefit, Reserve Educational Assistance program, Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance program and Survivors and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program. 60-day deferral from the beginning of each course. When students select either plan, the University agrees to defer payment for tuition and book fees until 60 days from each course start date and up to two days of processing time. Students are responsible for payment of their tuition and fees regardless of receipt of payment from their employer.

Failure to make proper payment is cause for dismissal at the discretion of the university. Official academic transcripts and diplomas will not be released unless all university-related indebtedness is paid in full.

Students can use their financial aid funds to cover the cost of their bookstore purchases by applying any bookstore charges to their ACU student account. Please note that if financial aid funds are insufficient to cover the cost of bookstore charges, students will be responsible to pay any remaining amount on their ACU student account.

Once students have accepted their financial aid award, an email from Barnes & Noble (BNC Services) will be sent the student’s ACU email with a voucher code. Once logged into their bookstore account, students should select the “Financial Aid/Voucher” option as the form of payment. Students will be prompted to provide their ACU ID and the Financial Aid voucher ID.

Students may not charge more than $1,000 of bookstore purchases to their account per semester.

ACU calculates and returns Federal Title IV funds according to Federal Title IV policy 34 CRF 668.22. The amount of Title IV funds that must be returned to the Title IV programs is based solely on the length of time the student was enrolled before withdrawing. This policy is effective for complete or full withdrawal from a term in which the student receives Title IV federal funds.

If a student withdraws before 60% of the semester has elapsed, a percentage of Title IV funds will be returned to the federal program based on the length of time the student is enrolled prior to the withdrawal. For example, if the student withdraws when 50% of the semester has elapsed, 50% of the Title IV funds will be returned to the federal programs. After 60% of the semester has elapsed, the student is considered to have earned all aid received for the semester.

Withdrawal date is defined as one of the following:

• The date the student began the withdrawal process;
• The date the student otherwise provided the school with official notification of the intent to withdraw;
• For the student who does not begin the university’s withdrawal process or notify the school of the intent to withdraw, the midpoint of the payment period or period of enrollment for which Title IV assistance was disbursed (unless the university can document a later
• date); or
• The withdrawal date is determined from class attendance records.
• If a student stops attending class, federal regulations require that ACU consider the student withdrawn for financial aid purposes.

ACU will:

• Determine date of withdrawal.
• Calculate the percentage of aid deemed to have been earned by the student.
• Calculate the percentage of aid not earned by the student, which must be returned to federal programs.

If the withdrawal date results in a percentage of Federal Title IV aid not earned by the student, then return of Federal Title IV aid will occur in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans 
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Loans 
3. Federal Perkins Loans
4. Federal PLUS Loans
5. Federal Pell Grants
6. Federal SEOG Grants
7. Other assistance under the title for which a return of funds is required.

The student is responsible for paying any tuition/fees balance that remains after funds are returned to the lender.

From time to time, students may experience many stressors ranging from academic difficulty to overwhelming life and personal circumstances to unmanaged physical or mental illness. At times, these stressors impede a student’s ability to function effectively at the University. The responsibility to try to identify, refer, and report (when needed) students who are struggling or who may pose a risk to themselves or the community is one in which we must all share.

The Wellness Referral Form is available to any ACU campus community member who becomes aware of information that suggests concerning or threatening behavior, to report that information as soon as possible. No person who, in good faith, reports threatening or otherwise troubling behavior per this policy will be subject to retaliation.

For more information on this policy, students may contact Abbey Green at alb13e@acu.edu. 

ACU Online, while a faith-based institution, recognizes the diversity of belief and faith practices present among its’ student body. As a result, ACU Online will make good faith efforts to provide reasonable religious accommodations to students whose sincerely held religious beliefs conflict with a University policy, procedure, or other academic requirements unless such an accommodation would create an undue hardship. For the purpose of this policy, undue hardship is defined as more than a minimal burden on the operation of the university. 

Universal expectations for student learning can be found in our ACU Online Student Learning Covenant. 

To request an accommodation, a student must complete the Religious Accommodation Request Form.

ACU Online is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students. Students may request modifications because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. Modifications vary based on the student’s circumstances, but may include academic adjustments, leave of absence or flexibility as needed.

Students who wish to discuss or request modifications based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions should visit our website and/or reach out to the Student Wellness Manager at onlinewellness@acu.edu.

In the cases of short term (less than 14 days) injury or illness, a student may request reasonable accommodations in order to continue in their current course(s). This process is reserved for students who, as a result of their condition, will be unable to participate in class for more than one week. Examples of conditions may include but are not limited to the flu, COVID-19 or other significant illness, surgery, broken bones, and concussions. Students must notify the university of their need(s) within 48 hours of becoming ill or sustaining injury. Accommodation requests may not be granted if they are made outside of this window. Accommodations may also be limited based on the point in the term in which they are requested, course content, course design, or assignment requirements. In some cases it may not be in the best academic interest for the student to try and remain in classes. Students will be advised of this and provided more information to help them make a decision.  

Students are encouraged to work with their faculty members for acute, one-time, or minor injuries and illness which would result in minor or no disruption of course progression. If questions arise around whether or not a situation should be handled through the accommodations process, please contact the Student Wellness Office.

To apply, students must complete the Short Term Injury / Illness Accommodation Request Form and provide documentation from their physician. Guidelines can be found here.

The goal of the Emergency Withdrawal policy is to support students who may be experiencing serious extenuating personal circumstances during a term by allowing a course withdrawal after Week 1 (day 4) of the term. An Emergency Withdrawal, which is noted as a “W” on a student’s transcript, may be granted for extraordinary cases in which a serious and unexpected medical issue or other significant personal circumstance prevents a student from continuing his or her class(es). While the Refund Policy still applies, the University reserves discretion to allow financial consideration for Emergency Withdrawals. 

In order for an Emergency Withdrawal to be considered the circumstance must be serious, unforeseen, and documented, and must not be able to be addressed through a reasonable academic arrangement:

• Serious: Reserved for circumstances that fall well outside the norm of everyday challenges or stresses and are severe enough to reasonably cause disruption to a student’s personal and academic life.
• Unforeseen: Reserved for circumstances that are outside a student’s control and were unanticipated at the time of registration and/or during the term’s drop period. Students applying based on chronic or intermittent issues (including pregnancy) known at the time of registration will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Documented: All Emergency Withdrawal requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation which clearly shows that the student was not able to complete his or her online class successfully.

Examples of serious, unforeseen, extenuating circumstances include unexpected extended hospitalization, death of an immediate family member, severe illness of a dependent, or natural disaster. For the purposes of the Emergency Withdrawal policy immediate family is defined as a spouse, domestic partner, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, parent-in-law, grandchild, or a member of the immediate household.

Emergency Withdrawals are not granted for circumstances that are foreseeable, avoidable, or do not significantly and reasonably impact a student’s ability to complete his or her online class. Examples of Emergency Withdrawal requests that do not qualify as an Emergency Withdrawal include change in employment, relocation, vacation, financial difficulties, or life stresses. Emergency Withdrawals are also not granted if a student does not provide sufficient documentation. Students must withdraw from all current and future courses and may be required to submit additional documentation upon returning to courses. To initiate the return to courses, please email onlinewellness@acu.edu. 

Emergency withdrawal requests must be made and documentation provided in the same 7 week term the student experienced the serious, unforeseen, and documented circumstance. For example, if the event occurred in Spring 2, documentation must be received by the final day of the term. 

Please note that this policy does not negate or overrule other university policies. Students should consult with their Student Success Advisor and/or Financial Intake Specialist for assistance with understanding how completing an emergency withdrawal may impact their financial aid, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Degree Time Limit, etc.

To request an Emergency Withdrawal, students must complete the Emergency Withdrawal request form. Guidelines for documentation can be found here.

Students are responsible for maintaining current and accurate mailing and permanent addresses. Any changes of address should be updated in Banner at myACU or communicated to the Student Success team.

Abilene Christian University’s Alpha Scholars Program provides academic accommodations and individualized support to students with disabilities. These services are designed to help eliminate disability-related barriers in the online environment so that all students have an equal opportunity for success. To get started with Alpha, please visit our website and follow the three steps outlined (application, documentation, meeting). If you have any questions or concerns, email alphaonline@acu.edu. 

Please consult the current university catalog for information about a student’s rights concerning directory information. Directory information includes name, local and permanent telephone listing and address, official school email address, ID card photo, major field of study, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous schools attended, and participation in officially recognized activities and sports. Directory and other public information may be released unless a student requests that this information be withheld. Any requests to withhold directory and other public information can be made with the Student Success team.

ACU Online encourages you to get involved and develop connections in the areas you value most. We seek to support the creation and continuation of all clubs and organizations whose purpose aligns with the mission of Abilene Christian University and adds value to the online student experience. Student organizations are created to allow students to build community, develop leadership skills and contribute to the values set by ACU by fulfilling the mission of educating students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. ACU Online affiliated organizations must adhere to the policies set forth in the Student Handbook. All activities and organizations that engage in any expressive activities or events that infringe on the rights of others are not permitted at ACU.

More information about student organizations

Before you begin the formal grievance process, the Student Ombuds is available to talk with you. The Student Ombuds is an impartial party offering an informal and confidential opportunity for you to express your concerns in a safe space, get guidance, and explore options to address and potentially resolve your concerns. The Student Ombuds does not take sides but is an advocate for fairness.

If you would like to speak to the Student Ombuds, please complete the Ombudsperson Intake Form. Upon receipt of your form, you will be contacted through your university email address as soon as possible.

Specific Complaint or Appeal

To file a complaint or appeal, please select from the list below:

1. Student Athlete Financial Aid – Information about the nonrenewal of a student athlete’s financial aid award may be found in the ACU Student Athlete Handbook.
2. Title IX – Title IX information is included in the University’s Title IX website and in the Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy.
3. Student Success & Engagement – Information regarding student conduct and disciplinary decisions/appeals may be found in the Student Handbook.
4. Alpha Services – Guidelines regarding student accommodations by Alpha Services may be found in the Alpha Scholars Site.
5. Grades – The policy regarding grade appeals processes for undergraduate students may be found in the undergraduate section of the ACU Catalog. Grade appeals for graduate students may be found in the graduate section of the ACU Catalog. The Grade Appeal form is available on the Registrar’s Forms page.
6. Academic Integrity — Academic integrity appeals may be found in the Academic Integrity Policy.
7. University employee violations of policy or law — Reporting processes for financial improprieties, illegal practices or policy violations committed by university employees or agents may be found in the University’s Whistleblower Policy, Policy No. 421 ACU Catalog.
8. Academic policy or syllabus — Students may submit academic complaints using the Complaint Policy regarding alleged violations of university academic policy or course policy. Academic policies are listed in the ACU Catalog, and on the ACU website.

General Complaint

Complaints not specifically addressed by policies in the above areas can be made as follows:

Flow
Employee -> Director -> ACU Online Incident Reporting Form

If you need assistance identifying the appropriate director, you can find the Organizational Chart on ACU’s HR Website.

Process

1. Prepare and Send Statement: The student shall prepare his or her complaint in a written statement that details the circumstances of the complaint, providing his or her perspective by fully explaining the situation, clearly enumerating his or her points, including which policy was violated, and suggesting an ideal resolution. Once prepared, the statement and a request to meet should be sent to the appropriate staff member.
2. Meet with Staff: The student shall meet with the staff member to review the statement and attempt to resolve the matter. If the student feels uncomfortable discussing the matter with the staff member alone, the student should contact their supervisor and request a meeting of the student, staff member and the supervisor. Following the meeting, the staff member will seek to respond in writing to the complaint within 3 working days of the meeting to discuss the studentʼs written complaint. 
3. Appeal to Director: If the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student, he or she shall have the right to appeal to the department’s director in writing within 3 working days. The student request should include any previous statements, new statements, and the decision of the staff member. The director may choose to meet with the student or decide based on the documents provided. The director will seek to respond in writing to the complaint within 7 working days of receiving all complaint materials. 
4. Submit an ACU Online Incident Reporting Form: If the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student, he or she shall have the right to submit an ACU Online Incident Reporting Form. The form will be reviewed by the appropriate staff member, who will seek to respond in writing to the complaint within 14 working days of receiving all complaint materials.

Whistle Blower Policy

To proactively promote legal and policy compliance by encouraging all members of the ACU community to report any financial improprieties, illegal practices or policy violations committed by university employees or agents, and to protect from retaliation those who make such good-faith reports. Violations may be reported anonymously on the ACU’s Whistleblower Website. 

External Complaint

All student complaints must first be addressed internally. If the internal resources have been exhausted and the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, the student may file a complaint with the regulatory agency in the state in which he or she is receiving instruction and/or the institution’s accrediting agency. Contact information for these agencies is below:

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Office of General Counsel
P.O. Box 12788
Austin, Texas 78711-2788

For more information, visit the THECB student complaint webpage.

President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097

(To access the Commission’s complaint policy, procedures, and the Complaint Form, please see Complaint Procedures Against the Commission or Its Accredited Institutions.)