About ACC: Planning for Success

Success doesn't just "happen." Those who are successful in careers, hobbies or educational efforts will tell you that planning and hard work are essential.

Your Advisor
One of the ways you can plan for success is to work closely with the academic advisor who was assigned to you during the admissions process.

This faculty member is experienced in your indicated field of interest, and you are encouraged to discuss goals and make full use of all the educational resources available. Your advisor can help you plan your course of study to meet graduation requirements and keep you moving toward your goals. It is important to notify either the Student Services or Campus Services office personnel if you decide to change programs so that a new advisor is assigned.

Registration — the process of assigning classes to students who have been admitted to ACC — takes place at the beginning of each semester. Returning students wishing to reserve a space in specific sections or classes should register during the designated "early registration" period. You'll extend your vacation, avoid the routine hassle of "central registration" and possibly save yourself from disappointment over full sections during "late registration." New full-time fall freshmen who have taken the required COMPASS test may register during a special early enrollment period held each spring and defer payment until August. All other new, full-time students are required to go through central registration. The advisor's signature must be on the registration form when it is submitted to the Campus Services Office. Please note: no registration is complete until tuition and fees have been paid.

Program Completion
Student progress towards a degree or certificate program is monitored each semester on an individual student basis with a computerized tracking system. Students should request a copy of the Program Progress Review (PPR) from the Campus Services office (VLH 108) or an advisor prior to registering for courses each semester. See Graduation Requirements.

Studying
Another key to your success is a realistic expectation of the time you will need to study for your classes. Generally, you can expect to spend an average of at least two hours per week in preparation for each class hour. Be sure to consider what time commitments you have at home or on the job when planning your course load. Students carrying a full-time class load of 12 or more credit hours may find it difficult to hold a job that requires more than part-time hours. Those who work full time may find that a part-time class load can be accommodated. Nursing students, because of their clinical requirements, are advised against employment while in the program.

Attendance
Students are expected to attend their scheduled classes according to the requirements of the instructor. Be sure to consult your instructor if absence is unavoidable. Nursing students should refer to the Student Nursing Handbook for specific program attendance requirements.

Severe Weather Situations
Alpena Community College draws students from a large geographic area, and has two campuses located 50 miles apart. The weather can vary dramatically in the region. Students are responsible for determining the advisability of travel during severe conditions. In extreme situations, the College may alter its schedule of operation at the Alpena Campus or at the Huron Shores Campus in one of the following ways:

• delay morning opening
• cancel classes only
• close the College (cancel classes & close all offices/services)
  
  When this happens, area radio stations will be requested to assist in notifying students that:
• classes at one or both campuses are being cancelled (for the entire day if the decision is being made prior to 6 a.m., or as of a specified time if the decision is being made during the day);
• the College is delaying morning opening at one or both campuses until a specified time (classes scheduled to begin at or after that time will be held); or
• the College at one or both campuses is closing (for the entire day if the decision is being made prior to 6 a.m., or as of a specified time if the decision is being made during the day). Closure means that no classes will be held and all College offices and services will be closed as well.

The greeting on the College telephone system at 989.358.9021 or 1.888.468.6222 will also inform callers of delay in opening, College closing or cancellation of classes.

In the event of overnight storms, College administration tries to make the decision so that it can be broadcast and put on the telephone greeting not later than 6 a.m. In the event of worsening daytime storms, they try to make the decision regarding afternoon classes by 10 a.m., and for evening classes by 2 p.m. These are general guidelines; however, each situation is
unique.

Be assured that every attempt is made to reach timely and wise decisions and to provide prompt notification of any changes to normal operations. It is important that you understand what the College means by the terms delay, closing and cancellation and that you listen carefully to your local radio station during severe weather for information about the campus
you attend.

Alpena Community College classes held at local public schools are also subject to the situation existing in that school system. If the school district cancels its classes due to weather or other emergency conditions, the ACC classes will not be held. Because the College often remains in session when public schools do not, no additional announcement comes from ACC regarding those off-campus classes to avoid confusion with on-campus classes. Students attending ACC classes at other sites should listen for information about the local school district.

Class Cancellation Due to Instructor's Absence
Alpena Campus
If an instructor's unavoidable absence requires cancellation of a class, "Class Cancellation" signs are posted in several campus locations:

• Van Lare Hall - in the main lobby next to the student lounge.
• Besser Technical Center in the front lobby and in the hall next to the Bookstore
• Center - in the corridor intersection at Room 108
• World Center for Concrete Technology - in the lobby
• Charles R. Donnelly Natural Resources Center - on first and second floors near the elevator.

Daily class cancellation information is also available on the College voice mail system to students using a touch tone phone. Call the College number, 989.358.9021 or 1.888.468.6222, and then press 8 to receive a daily message listing class cancellations.

Huron Shores Campus
A telephone pyramid notification process is used to notify Huron Shores Campus students of class cancellation due to an instructor's absence.