A-B Tech Café. The Café is located in the Coman Student Activity Center. Breakfast and lunch meals, including sandwiches, salads, and soups, are prepared daily. Hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. Vending machines dispensing soft drinks, coffee, and snacks can be found at various locations around campus.

The Culinary Technology, Baking and Pastry Arts, and Hotel and Restaurant Management students prepare and serve lunch and dinner on scheduled Thursdays during fall and spring semesters. See the Student Handbook for times, dates, and reservation information.

Bookstore. A bookstore is operated by the College for the convenience of students and staff members to provide required textbooks and materials. Students should plan to purchase all texts and materials at the beginning of each semester.
Textbook costs vary considerably depending upon the curriculum and semester. Book costs also vary from year to year because of changes in curriculum book prices, texts, and material requirements. Texts and materials will be made available in alternative accessible formats for individuals with disabilities upon request to the Disabilities Services Academic Advisor.

Campus Police and Security. Police and Security Personnel are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each officer is certified to respond to medical emergencies.

Child Care. A-B Tech has limited dollars to assist students with child care services rendered off campus. These funds are provided annually by the state of North Carolina, and funding is therefore subject to annual state budgeting. To be eligible, the student must be approved for federal financial aid, having submitted a FAFSA. The student must have unmet need of greater than $1,000, be taking 12 or more credits, be on campus a minimum of four days per week, and be in good academic standing.

Also on campus is a day care center run by Buncombe County for the general public as well as students and staff. Admission to the facility is on a first come, first served basis. If you have interest in this facility, you may receive further information at 255-5111.

College Closing or Delayed Opening. The College will either be closed or opened on a delayed schedule when inclement weather conditions warrant such a decision. Closing or delaying announcements are placed on the switchboard automated attendant, on the A-B Tech web site at www.abtech.edu, and will be made on Asheville radio and television stations and some surrounding community radio stations. Separate decisions and announcements are made for the day and evening programs.

Dental Clinic. Throughout the year, the Allied Dental Department provides oral health services, such as patient education, dental X-rays, cleaning of teeth, nutritional counseling, and sealants. During spring and summer semesters, limited dental services such as fillings, crowns and partial dentures are also available. A nominal fee is charged for these services. Call the Allied Dental Clinic, Ext. 255, for an appointment and approximate charges for services.

Distance Learning. In addition to a traditional classroom setting, many College courses are offered in an online learning environment. Online and hybrid classes allow for greater scheduling flexibility and may be a good choice for independent learners.

Online and hybrid classes are listed in the College Schedule. Online sections are designated ‘O’ and 100% of the instruction is delivered via the Internet, with the possible exception of exams, where a student may be required to come to campus or select a College approved proctor. Hybrid sections are designated ‘Y’ and combine online instruction with reduced classroom atten-dance. To take an Online or Hybrid class you will need access to a computer, the Internet, and email. 

All instructional formats require student workloads and outcomes comparable to a traditional class. For more information the Distance Learning Website can be found at: http://www.abtech.edu/vcampus/

Educational Technology Services. Educational Technology Services provides support for classrooms and assists with faculty and student media production. It houses an editing suite and a working studio. This area is staffed Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Educational Technology Services is located in Holly, 115; telephone extensions are 304 and 309.

Holly Library. The library provides students with access to print and electronic resources to meet their information need. Unique collections include a North Carolina Collection, audio books, and feature films. The library hours are Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The library has a Research Central area on the main level where students can use the internet and electronic databases. Quiet study zones, group study rooms, and wireless internet access are located throughout the building. The lower level contains a computer lab and Email Central. The library’s circulation telephone ext. is 301.

Honorary Societies. A-B Tech is proud to sponsor the Alpha Upsilon Eta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for two-year colleges. Selection for Phi Theta Kappa is the highest academic honor a student can receive. Membership is by invitation only and is extended to eligible students twice a year, in the fall and in the spring. Students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and who have completed at least 12 credit hours of associate degree coursework at A-B Tech are invited join.

Members are required to pay a one-time fee and maintain a GPA of 3.25. Phi Theta Kappa chapters have goals of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship with an Honors Topic and Service Project provided by Phi Theta Kappa International to become a truly worldwide group of scholars. Active participation in the chapter may lead to earning Phi Theta Kappa merchandise, travel opportunities, the stole and/or tassel to wear at graduation, and possible transfer scholarships. Contact: Lisa York - lyork@abtech.edu

Intramurals. A-B Tech Intramurals are an extremely popular extra-curricular activity. We offer volleyball, basketball, tennis, 2-mile run, softball distance throw, football punt, and golf-closest to the pin. Intramurals are open to male and female, faculty, staff, and students, and beginners to advanced athletes. The activities are on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are one hour or less for each session. The only requirements are that you must dress in proper athletic wear and shoes, and volleyball participants need to have some former experience in the sport. Watch for signs on building entrances, the student handbook, the campus marquee, and the Coman Gymnasium Intramural bulletin board.

Mountain Tech Spa, an on-campus spa facility, located In the Birch Building, provides practical experience for Cosmetology, Esthetics Technology, Manicuring/Nail Technology and Therapeutic Massage students under the direction of College faculty.

Parking Locations. Parking is provided at various locations around campus. Please refer to the campus map located in this catalog for specific sites. Students with disabilities are provided parking at all locations. Parking areas are lighted during evening hours. Spaces marked with yellow lines are reserved for faculty, staff, disabled persons, and visitors. White-lined spaces are reserved for students. 

Placement Service. No reputable College can guarantee jobs for graduates. However, the College will assist students and alumni in every possible way to obtain suitable employment. Applied Science department chairs are particularly helpful with placing their program graduates.

Service-Learning Center. Provides staffing to coordinate class-based projects with community service activities for curriculum classes that require or encourage service-learning as part of the educational experience. The Service-Learning Center is located in Holly, 129; telephone extension 7573.

Small Business Center. The Small Business Center supports the development of new business and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of training, counseling, and resource information. Confidential counseling services and access to resource libraries are free of charge as are the majority of seminar offerings.

Student Incubation. Student’s with an entrepreneurial spirit can apply for the student incubation program managed by the Small Business Center. The program is designed to provide a nurturing environment for students to develop and grow their own business. They receive guidance toward becoming sustainable and contributing members of a strong economic community. It is a 12-month, extracurricular program is located at A-B Tech’s Enka site and is open to all students. More information can be found at www.abtech.edu/sbc.

Student Lounge. A Student Lounge is located in the Coman Student Activity Center for those students with spare time and who wish to socialize. Wireless internet access is available as well as a community resource area.

Student Housing. Students are responsible for their own living accommodations. A-B Tech neither approves nor maintains housing facilities. Students who are looking for housing or roommates may check bulletin boards in the Bailey Student Services Center or the Coman Student Activity Center.

Study Abroad Program. A-B Tech occasionally sponsors Study Abroad opportunities for students. Students who want to participate must be enrolled in the College, must register for the study abroad course, and must purchase health and accident insurance that is valid outside of the United States. Students who successfully complete the study abroad activity and the course requirements will receive course credit.