More than 65 students joined ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart for the Virtual Student Town Hall on Friday, November 14. The open forum allows students to connect directly with the Chancellor, hear updates, and ask about what’s happening at ACC.

Dr. Lowery-Hart opened the conversation with several important announcements, including:

  • A new $500,000 anonymous gift to support student scholarships this spring. To support more students, the ACC Foundation extended the spring scholarship deadline to Monday, December 1. You can learn more about the spring scholarship opportunities here. 
  • The Chancellor also invited his Chief of Staff, Aaron Henry, to provide an update on new state legislation, including Senate Bill 8, which requires higher education institutions and other public entities to designate multiple-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and similar facilities for use by individuals of only one sex. Henry let students know that the College is forming a workgroup to determine what compliance will look like at ACC. More information will be released as it becomes available. 
  • Finally, he issued a reminder to students, encouraging them to take advantage of the resources ACC offers. Data shows students who engage with resources, like advising and tutoring, at least twice a semester are more likely to persist and graduate. You can find all those resources and more at austincc.edu/students. 

Below are a few key topics students asked about during the live Q&A:

Campus Hours, Services & Weekend Support

Question | Students asked if financial aid and other student services would expand their weekend availability.

Answer | The Chancellor shared that ACC is currently reviewing campus hours and staffing models as part of its redesigned “campus purpose” work. The goal is to increase access to services like advising and financial aid, during hours that work better for students, with updates expected for summer and fall.

Basic Needs, Housing & Wellness

Question | Students asked about the support available during holiday breaks and how ACC is helping those facing housing or wellness challenges.

Answer | Riverbat Bites will pause during the holiday break, but community options are available. Students should contact their Advocate as soon as possible for immediate support.

Advocates can also support students looking for housing support through Housing Connector. Additionally, the Chancellor also shared that St. Edward’s University offers residential housing options for ACC students.

Student Voice in College Decision-Making

Question | Students asked how they can be more involved in shaping College decisions.

Answer | Dr. Lowery-Hart emphasized that student voice is essential and encouraged students to:

  • Join or form student organizations,
  • Participate in Student Government,
  • Engage in campus events and open forums, and
  • He affirmed that ACC protects students’ rights to assemble, organize, and share their perspectives.

Other Topics

The Chancellor also touched on:

  • Ongoing improvements to campus accessibility, including parking and automatic doors, are expected to roll out over the next six months.
  • Rising textbook costs and the College’s ongoing work to expand affordable options.
  • The importance of being a lifelong learner—especially in an era of evolving technology and AI.

For more information and to view the entire town hall, visit austincc.edu/studenttownhall.