The College Catalog documents the approach to interactions between the College and students, administration, staff, and faculty. It provides guidance on how policies and processes function within the framework of an academic environment and supports students and faculty in understanding the protocols established by governance and regulatory agencies. Given this established purpose, additional guidance may be required for specific situations and events. General information and definitions are provided below.
Alcohol and Drug
No one under the legal drinking age shall be served or allowed to sell, purchase, or consume alcoholic beverages on College property or at College-sponsored events (e.g., Commencement). The College may allow alcoholic beverages to be served to persons of legal age at meetings or social gatherings officially sponsored by the College if approved by the President. Approval is dependent upon adequate measures to preclude the serving of alcoholic beverages to persons under the legal age.
The possession, use, or sale of drugs and other controlled substances is a federal and state offense subject to fines and imprisonment. It is the policy of the College to uphold these laws. In any instance where a violation of the law concerning drugs occurs on campus or in connection with the activities of College students, the disciplinary policy of the College will permit taking action beyond or separate from any which civil authorities may take. This action may range from a fine to an expulsion.
College Emergency Procedures
In the case of national and local emergencies that affect the delivery of education to the student body, the College administration will use the learning management system, email, the College website, social media sites, and telephone to alert students, faculty, and staff to alternate methods of accessing coursework.
Consensual Relationships
American College of Education does not permit consensual relationships between an ACE student and a faculty or staff member in a position of authority over the student. Faculty or staff members must be aware that romantic or sexual relationships with a student may lead to abuse of power, conflict of interest, exploitation, or favoritism. These pose a legal risk to the faculty member and the College. With this in mind, all consensual relationships must be reported by the staff or faculty member to ACE HR. Students wishing to report a consensual relationship may reach our to College Support Services.
Deceased Student
In the very unfortunate instance that a student should pass away, the College will work with the deceased’s family members to close their academic record and assist the student’s family members with any additional requests (i.e. academic/financial records, posthumous diploma, etc.).
The family member should contact the registrar for notification and requests. The requests should include the following: student’s name while enrolled, student’s ID (if known) or last four digits of the student’s social security number, student’s date of birth, student’s dates of enrollment, and death certificate (copy is preferred).
The requester must also provide the following personal information with the written request: their name, their mailing and e-mail address, phone number, documentation of relationship with the deceased (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.), reason for request, signature, and date of request.
Once received, the registrar will coordinate with other departments at the college to fulfill requests and/or communicate with the requester about additional items.
Exception Policy
The College permits a student to request an exception to policies and procedures due to extenuating circumstances. The student should provide any appropriate documentation to support the request. The College, pending on the request and rationale, can grant an exception to policy or procedure.
Gift Acceptance
ACE faculty and staff cannot accept gifts of any kind, cash or otherwise, from students, family members of students, or anyone representing a student.
Inclement Weather
American College of Education will make reasonable accommodations for students who are not able to access their courses due to extreme weather conditions that prevent internet access in their respective cities, states, or regions. ACE considers any weather situation that would cause an individual to evacuate from their home or lose internet access for more than 24 hours as inclement.
Examples include hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms, blizzards, tornadoes, etc. When a student is impacted by such a situation, ACE faculty members will work with the student, without prior notification, by accepting late assignments.
- College faculty will accommodate students through late submissions because of the known event.
- Students are responsible, once they have access to communication channels again, for communicating the situation with their faculty members. Students will provide some sort of reasonable documentation (this can be as simple as an address to verify it is in the impacted area).
- If the situation cannot be appropriately and reasonably handled through late submissions alone, ACE administration will work on a plan to assist students to include the use of the Incomplete Policy.
Natural Disaster and Emergency
American College of Education is an online institution that serves students from across the world. As a result, it is likely that ACE students may be impacted by natural disasters or emergencies that do not result in closure of the College. In these instances, students may be unable to complete assignments or even access the learning management system (LMS). In instances of natural disasters (e.g. hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires) where students lose access to the learning environment, students will be provided extra time for assignments, without penalty. The same applies to emergencies (e.g. disease outbreaks, pandemics, epidemics) where students cannot complete assignments or access the learning management system.
In instances where students are impacted by natural disasters or emergencies, the students will be afforded a 48-hour extension on due dates. Specifically, students will have 48 hours from the time their normal access or ability is restored to complete coursework and assignments without penalty (e.g. discussion boards, assessments, papers) that were due during the time period impacted by the natural disaster or emergency.
In the case of more extenuating circumstances (prolonged period of time without internet access caused by a natural disaster; severity of the disaster and its impact, etc.) or College deadlines coinciding with a natural disaster or emergency (such as a College end of term, etc.), the 48-hour extension for the completion of coursework and assignments without penalty will be modified and extended to accommodate the circumstances. In these instances, the College will provide additional guidance to faculty and students. Furthermore, if the extenuating circumstance extends beyond the term, the student and College may utilize the Incomplete Policy and/or Leave of Absence Policy to best support students during these challenging times.
Preferred Name
ACE recognizes that students may want to use a preferred first name instead of their legal name in selected college systems.
A student who elects to have a preferred first name will have this preferred name used in the following:
- Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). Once a preferred name is approved, it will:
- be displayed in the class list, grade book, and discussion board.
- remain active at ACE in the above system(s) until the student requests that it be removed.
Choosing a preferred first name will not change a student’s legal name. A student’s legal name, as required by ACE, is used in the following areas, including but not limited to:
- Student information system
- ACE transcript
- Financial Documents
- Tax documents
- Student record request
- Official ACE communication
- Diploma
- Other business and legal records
ACE reserves the right to deny or revoke the use of a preferred first name for reasons such as inappropriate or offensive use, attempting to avoid legal obligations or misrepresentation. Decisions regarding the denial or revocation of a preferred name are at the sole discretion of ACE. Additionally, ACE reserves the right to modify, alter, or rescind this policy.
If a student wishes to request a preferred name or remove their approved preferred name, they must contact the Student Services Department at [email protected] or by phone (1-800-280-0307, option 1).
Applicants, current students, former students, or alumni needing to update their legal name must submit the “Change of Student Information” form in their MyACE portal.
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