Policies & Procedures
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.
Gold cards must be worn between the hours on 7:00pm and 7:00am, Monday – Thursday and 7:00pm Friday through 7:00am Monday. Ids must also be visible on campus holidays.
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 Funds (cash) cannot be withdrawn off the card at any time, except for withdrawal from the college or graduation.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 in the John Hunt Town Center or by phone at (229) 391-5140 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 each Fall semester. If possible, in all circumstances of card replacement, the old card should be turned in to be destroyed. There is no charge for damaged cards, but a fee of $25.00 is assessed for a lost card.
Error Resolution Procedures
If an error is noticed on a receipt, contact Student Financial Services 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: Student Financial Services, 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.
