Basic Policies and General Information
A Note About Career Technical Education Courses
Students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree at New Mexico State University after completing their studies at DACC need to be aware that not all career technical education courses taken at DACC can be used to satisfy degree requirements at NMSU. The number of DACC credits that may be counted toward a bachelor’s degree depends on the major selected and any agreements providing for the acceptance of career technical education courses.
Programs already having such agreements are called “articulated” programs, and are listed at Applying DACC Credit Toward Bachelor’s Degree Programs. It is best for students to consult advisors at both DACC and NMSU early in their associate degree program to insure that the maximum number of credits will apply toward the bachelor’s degree program selected.
Tuition Differentials
DACC students enrolling in courses on any other NMSU campus pay the tuition rate in effect at that campus.
Nondiscrimination
It is the policy of Doña Ana Community College not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in employment or other college-administered programs. This policy is in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended by 11375 and section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and subsequent revisions.
Disability Statement. Doña Ana Community College is strongly committed to providing education to all citizens of Doña Ana County. The college’s faculty and staff are dedicated to the goal of providing equal access to individuals with disabilities and to the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ongoing effort to reduce and remove physical and attitudinal barriers is designed to assist individuals with disabilities to enjoy the college’s facilities, programs, and services to the fullest extent. We are dedicated to developing an educational environment free of discrimination.
Policy of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability. Doña Ana Community College does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities.
The ADA coordinator for DACC, located at the East Mesa Campus in DASR 104A, (575) 527-7548, has been designated to oversee compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Section 35.107 of the Department of Justice Regulations. Information concerning the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the rights provided thereunder, are available from the ADA coordinator.
Technical Standards for Admissions
Some programs may require technical standards for admissions and/or continued program participation. Technical standards may include possessing or acquiring skills or behaviors to complete performance-based tasks. Completion of these tasks may be required for program completion.
Learning Outcomes Assessment
As part of its continuing effort to maintain quality academic programs and to provide strong support services, all DACC programs have established student learning outcomes. DACC/NMSU routinely conducts learning outcomes assessment activities at the classroom, program, and college levels through activities such as general education assessment projects, exit exams, exit interviews, and standardized tests. Students may be required to participate in one or more of these activities. College-wide essential learning outcomes and program-specific student learning outcomes are published on the DACC Assessment of Student Learning website.
DACC Graduation and Retention Rates
Under the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, Public Law 101-542, DACC is required to calculate (using a prescribed formula) and disclose graduation rates for all first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students who enrolled at DACC in Summer and Fall 2020. This cohort consists of 981 students. The number of graduates who earned either a certificate or an associate degree by Summer 2023 was 153. The three-year, Student-Right-to-Know graduation rate was 15.6 percent.
Rates for previous cohorts after three years are as follows:
| Cohort | Rate |
|---|---|
| Fall 2019 Cohort | 16.7% |
| Fall 2018 Cohort | 15.1% |
| Fall 2017 cohort | 14.4% |
The retention rate for first-time, full-time DACC admitted students from Fall 2021 to Spring 2022 was 64 percent.
Student Special Care Policy
To ensure the safety and well-being of our students, DACC/NMSU may, on occasion, require that students receive a particular type of care or treatment (e.g., emergency medical attention, live-in attendants, or vaccinations) as a condition of continued enrollment or eligibility to reside in university-operated housing. When this care or treatment is required by the cognizant DACC/NMSU administrator, the student will be obligated to assume any financial responsibility associated with the treatment.
Furthermore, DACC/NMSU may, on occasion, contact a student’s parents, legal guardian, or spouse in cases of extreme emergency, or where a possibility of imminent harm exists. Such action will be taken only when, in the judgment of the appropriate official, the best interests of the student and the institution will be served.
When practical, DACC/NMSU will notify the student in writing of the institution’s intention to undertake the steps authorized by this policy. This decision may be appealed by the student to the DACC Vice President for Student Services (VPSS) within 24 hours of notification. The appeal should be in writing and should state clearly the reason why the student objects to the proposed action. The VPSS will review the facts in the case and convey the decision to all parties within 48 hours. The VPSS’s decision shall be final.
Jurisdiction for Legal Matters
By applying for admission/enrollment, both the student and parent(s) or guardian(s) agree that New Mexico law prevails and all litigation will be in federal court in New Mexico or in state court in Doña Ana County, N.M.