Policies and Procedures
Use of the ABAC Gold Card
The cardholder agrees that the ABAC Gold Card is the property of
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and can be confiscated from bearer
as a result of inappropriate conduct or abuse. Use of the ABAC Gold Card
is subject to all terms, conditions, rules, and regulations.
You must present your ABAC Gold Card at the time of use in order to
obtain services. Your card and related accounts are non-transferable;
any misuse or illegal transactions can result in privilege suspension.
You are responsible for the usage of your card.
ABAC Accounts
The ABAC Dining Dollars account, which includes a meal plan with
flexible Dining Dollars, is mandatory for on campus residents. Dining
Dollars can be used in the campus dining hall and the on-campus
convenience store. A meal plan will be assessed each semester. Freshman
have the option of choosing one of three meal plans, at the same cost,
but different dining options and Dining Dollar amounts. Upperclassmen
can "upgrade" to one of these larger meal plans as well. Commuter
students may also purchase any meal plan or can purchase Dining Dollars
in $50 increments. No refunds are available for meal plans, including
Dining Dollars. Balances on meal plans expire at the end of each term.
The ABAC General Dollars account is an optional account of
pre-deposited funds accessed by the cardholder for products and
services. General Dollars can be used for laundry services, purchases
from most vending machines, copies made in the college library, and
purchases in the ABAC Bookstore. Funds (cash) cannot be withdrawn off
the card at any time, except for withdrawal from the college or
graduation. (See Closing Accounts, Refunds, Returns.) Only amounts in
excess of $10 will be refunded.
The cardholder’s General Dollars account will be activated
automatically starting with a zero balance. To add funds to the account
with cash, students may visit either the Value Transfer Station (VTS)
located next to the One Stop Shop on the second floor of the Student
Center or the VTS located in Town Hall at ABAC Place. The Value Transfer
Station accepts cash only in denominations of $1, $5, $10, and $20 and
does not give change. Minimal VTS deposits are $1.00.
Deposits can also be made in the Gold Card Office in the One Stop
Shop and can take the form of check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card,
and American Express. Deposits made in the Gold Card Office are a
minimum of $50.00.
In the event a cardholder’s ABAC deposit check is returned due to
insufficient funds, a $20.00 fee will be assessed by the Business
Office. Upon notification by the Business Office, the cardholder's ABAC
Account will be suspended until the returned check and $20.00 fee have
been paid. The ABAC Gold Card Office complies with the campus policy on
returned checks: first offense, six-month cash-only basis; second
offense, one-year cash-only basis; third offense, permanent cash-only
basis.
These funds shall be applied against amounts debited to your ABAC
Gold Card account for goods and services purchased at points of sale.
All vending locations have a $10.00 daily spending limit when purchasing
with the ABAC Gold Card. At all other locations, there is no limit to
the number of purchases that may be made and debited to the account
provided funds are available. Should a department continue to accept
transactions during off-line situations, the department will be
responsible for any losses incurred.
The cardholder understands and agrees that the ABAC Gold Card is not
a credit card, nor can it be used to obtain cash or cash advances from
the account under any circumstances.
If the cardholder's ABAC account balance goes below zero as a result
of the system or one of its readers being off-line, the cardholder
remains responsible for payment of those purchases. In the event of a
negative balance, the cardholder will be notified via mail stating the
negative amount and the location(s) causing the negative balance. The
cardholder will be given 30 days to pay the negative amount. If after 30
days the negative balance has not been reconciled, a hold will be placed
on the cardholder's account in BANNER preventing registration and
transcript requests.
Merchandise will be accepted for return according to the refund
policy in force where the goods and services were purchased. Cash
refunds will not be made for returned merchandise that was purchased
with the ABAC Gold Card. A credit will be made to the cardholder’s
account.
Closing Accounts, Refunds, Returns
Upon complete withdrawal from the institution, the cardholder may
request his/her account be closed. The request must be in writing to the
ABAC Gold Card Office on the second floor of the Student Center in the
One Stop Shop. Only balances greater than $10 will be refunded.
The ABAC Gold Card Office reserves the right to close any ABAC
Account that has been inactive for a period of twelve months.
Refunds on closed General Dollar account will be made at the full
value of the unused balance, except on balances less than $10. Refunds
will be mailed to the last known address within 30 days of the closing
request. All debts on the cardholder’s Student Account in the Business
Office must be satisfied prior to a check being processed for a refund.
Any negative ABAC Gold Card account balances will be charged to the
cardholder’s Student Account account, or billed directly to the
cardholder.
Balances on meal plans at the end of each term, included Dining
Dollars, are not refundable.
When an employee terminates his/her employment with the institution,
the card should be returned to ABAC Gold Card Office. The Office of
Human Resources will notify the ABAC Gold Card Office of all employee
resignations and terminations.
Procedures for Lost, Stolen, or Replacement Cards
Report immediately any lost or stolen card, or unauthorized card
usage in person to the ABAC Gold Card Office located on second floor of
the Student Center or by phone at (229) 391-5010 during the business
hours of 8:00am-5:30pm, Monday through Thursday and 8:00am to 3:00pm on
Friday. After hours, contact Public Safety at (229) 391-5060; then
return to the ABAC Gold Card Office the following business day to
purchase a new card. The cardholder is responsible for all usage of the
card prior to proper notification to the ABAC Gold Card Office or Public
Safety.
If loss is reported within two business days, your liability will not
exceed $50.00 in unauthorized charges. If a report is made within sixty
(60) days, your liability for unauthorized charges may be limited only
to funds available in the account.
ABAC will issue only one active card per individual. If possible, in
all circumstances of card replacement, the old card should be turned in
to be destroyed. There is no charge for the first replacement card but a
fee of $10.00 is assessed for the second replacement, $25.00 for the
third replacement, and $50.00 for all subsequent replacements. NOTE:
Cost may be waived if the card failed/deteriorated due to an initial
defect (as judged by the ABAC Gold Card Office personnel). The number of
replacement cards issued is based on the count provided by Blackboard,
the student ID system.
Error Resolution Procedures
If an error is noticed on a receipt, contact the ABAC Gold Card
Office located on second floor of the Student Center no later than
thirty (30) days after the error appears. If the cardholder reports the
error verbally at (229) 391-5010, a written confirmation may be required
within ten business days addressed to: ABAC Gold Card Office, ABAC 2,
2802 Moore Highway, Tifton, GA 31793-2601. The cardholder should furnish
the following information: (a) cardholder ID name, (b) cardholder
number, (c) a description and dollar amount of the transaction in
question, and (d) an explanation of the discrepancy.
The results of the investigation should be available within ten
business days of notification. However, if more time is needed, the
investigation may take up to forty-five (45) days. If no error is found,
a written explanation will be provided within three days after the close
of the investigation. Copies of the documents used during the
investigation may be requested.
Documentation
If the point-of-sale terminal is equipped to provide a receipt, the
cardholder will receive a receipt at the time of purchase. It is the
cardholder’s responsibility to ensure the receipt is correct and
properly handle the receipt as it contains the cardholder's ID number.
Dining hall receipts will be available upon request.
Activity statements can be generated upon the written request of the
cardholder. Such requests should be submitted to the Gold Card Office.
Disclosure of Accounting Information to Third Parties
ABAC will disclose account information and/or photos to third parties
only:
ABAC has established that the ID photo image is not directory
information without written permission, and, therefore, not readily
available.
Effective Date of Agreement
These terms and conditions are effective immediately and remain so
until written notification is received. ABAC shall mail or deliver a
written notice at least twenty-one (21) days before effective date, any
change in a term or condition if the change would cause increased fees
or changes or increase liability for the cardholder. Prior notice need
not be given where immediate change in a term and/or condition is
necessary to maintain or restore the security of the system or account.
Anyone requiring this document in an alternative format, please
contact the ADA Coordinator at (229) 391-5135.
Archiving
Transaction history will be kept “active” on the system for a period
of one fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). On July 1, the previous
year’s transactions will be archived onto tape and stored.
Reporting of Hardware Problems
Report any problems with Value Transfer Stations and card readers to
the ABAC Gold Card Office, (229) 391-5010.