Frequently Asked Questions

What are my student's chances at TECH?
This is a much-asked question. The TECH student is selected because of his/her high school curriculum, grade point average (GPA) and national test scores. To a much lesser extent, other activities are evaluated since they may indicate a strong probability for good academic achievement. Indeed, TECH has a remarkable record of success in retaining and graduating our students. Every new student can be successful with proper application and support.

What will my student's classes be like?
The courses your student takes will be determined by his/her major and class size will vary depending on the subject. For example, although there may be a larger number of students in the science lectures, there are only small groups in the laboratories where the "hands-on" learning takes place. The English composition classes are small so that personal attention can be given.

Because our average class size is 22, teachers know their students by name. Unlike in some larger universities, our courses are taught by professors, not graduate assistants, and their credentials extend across the board and from across the country. Our faculty hold doctorates from such prestigious universities as Rutgers, Brown, Columbia, UC-Berkeley, and Princeton.

It goes without saying, however, that to be successful in the classes, students need to attend regularly and study daily for each class.

How will my student be graded?
Grades are assigned by class instructors on a letter scale, and each letter carries a numerical value. These are called "grade points." For each credit hour, the student receives grade points as follows: A=4; B=3; C=2; D=1. No grade points are assigned for grades F, I (incomplete), or W (withdrawal).

The student's overall academic achievement is measured by dividing the sum of all quality points earned for a semester (semester GPA) or for the student's entire TECH career by the sum of all credit hours attempted (cumulative GPA). The result is the grade point average (GPA). Transferred credit hours are not included in the TECH GPA.

What if my student is having trouble with classes?
Encourage your student to ask questions in class and to meet with the instructor at the first indication of trouble. Should problems continue, your student should visit the Student Services Office, which will help direct him/her to the correct lab or to the Academic Advising Center. They also maintain a list of tutors in other areas.

What does withdrawing from school mean?
A student who wishes to withdraw from school during a semester is required to follow the official withdrawal procedure which requires reporting to the office the Registrar. Students who withdraw without following this required procedure will have their grades recorded as "F." If a student fails to officially withdraw from school, all charges owed to the University will remain the responsibility of that student.

What does dropping/withdrawing from a class mean?
Students can drop one or more classes without withdrawing from school. To drop or withdraw from a course, a student must obtain a signed add/drop slip from his/her advisor and return it to the Registrar's Office. In some circumstances, financial aid and/or scholarships may be affected.

Will I receive a copy of my student's grades?
Federal law makes it illegal to distribute the records of a student to any person other than the student him/herself. We no longer mail midterm or final grades to any students as they are available on the OneTech portal (https://onetech.atu.edu).  Midterm grades are reported for students with less than 59 earned hours (freshmen and sophomores), and all students’ final grades are posted at the end of each term.

What are TECH's rules on alcoholic beverages?
Policies prohibiting alcohol intoxication, possession, consumption, or furnishing of alcohol are strongly enforced on the TECH campus. Disciplinary action may include completion of the SEPAOD (Student Education Program on Alcohol and Other Drugs) class which is conducted by an area alcohol safety program instructor.

How safe is the TECH campus?
Arkansas Tech University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our students, faculty, staff, and guests. The TECH Department of Public Safety officers are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. These officers have full arrest authority and receive their training from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy as well as from periodic in-service training sessions. As a result, and because of the protective services offered to our University, our crime statistics are extremely low. The Department of Public Safety provides crime statistics to those requesting them. The Russellville Fire Department staff, who are EMTs, paramedics, and first responders, are located within a half mile of the TECH campus. The Russellville Police Department is also about a half mile away.

How many classes should my student take during the first semester?
Generally, a full-time student enrolls in 12 to 17 credit hours (usually four to six courses). A freshman who is working in addition to attending classes should consider limiting his/her class load to approximately 12 hours. The difficulty level of courses should also be considered. If it is necessary for a student to be employed, a maximum of 20 hours a week is recommended. In some circumstances, for instance in order to receive some scholarships, specific numbers of credit hours per semester are required.

How many "credit hours" are needed to graduate from TECH?
Graduating from TECH requires a minimum of 124 credit hours. Some majors require more hours. A "credit hour" is the academic value assigned to a course based on the number of lectures, labs and recitations as well as the expected number of hours spent on class preparation. The majority of classes carry three credit hours.

What is the difference between a "dorm" and a "residence hall"?
In the past, college housing facilities were usually called "dorms." Now, because they provide much more that just a place to sleep, they are often called "residence halls." The residence halls provide a variety of services and programs to assist students in achieving well-rounded and successful college careers.

Are students required to live on campus?
Single students under 21 years of age and with under 60 hours of college work completed are required to live on campus in University-owned housing units. They are also required to purchase meal plans. Exceptions may be requested through the Residence Life Office.

Will my student have assistance in getting a job when he/she graduates?
TECH offers a free Career Services Center which assists students with many activities such as resume writing and interview preparation which are related to the career search process.

If my student needs to work while he/she is in school, is any assistance offered in finding employment?
Yes. The Career Services Center posts part time and summer jobs year around. Most of these jobs are in Russellville.

What if my student gets sick while on the campus?
All students are eligible to be screened, assessed, treated, and/or referred by the registered nurse who staffs the Health and Wellness Center Located on the north side of Dean Hall, the Health & Wellness Center is open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. The nurse on duty can treat any injury or illness that does not require a physician.  Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.

Should your student get sick or injured after hours, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, as well as a number of clinics, will treat TECH students. They will file the student's health insurance claim, however they usually request payment for the first visit. Make sure your student has all his/her insurance information as well as a method of payment such as check or credit card.

For minor illnesses and injuries, a first aid kit is available in each residence hall. The hall director or resident assistant will see that your student gets the care he/she needs.

Will the Student Accounts Office cash checks in any amount?
Students cashing checks in the Student Accounts Office are required to show their TECH ID's and are limited to $50 per day. Personal checks and two-party checks from immediate family, guardians, food service, state/federal government, or TECH are accepted. Returned checks, including two-party checks, will be charged back to the student's account along with a service charge of $10.

May a student who does not live on campus eat in the cafeteria?
Yes. Off-campus students may buy individual meals in the cafeteria. Go to www.dineoncampus.com/arkansastech/ page for more information about dining at Tech.

What is Arkansas Tech's policy on hazing?
Hazing is prohibited. The offense of hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. Upon conviction of any student of the offense of hazing, he/she shall, in addition to any punishment imposed by the court, be expelled from Tech.

Which vaccines are required before college entry?
 Proof of immunization for measles and rubella are required for all students born after January 1, 1957.  2 Measles, 1 Rubella, and 1 Mumps Vaccine is required for all entering Freshmen and Foreign Born Students.  All others must have 1 measles, 1 rubella and 1 mumps.  Measles and rubella immunizations must have been given after January 1, 1968, and after the student's first birthday.

What is considered proof of immunization?
A copy of any one of the following will satisfy immunization requirements:

  • School Immunization Record
  • County Health Department Immunization Record (Well Baby Booklet)
  • International Health and Immunization Record (used by military and foreign travelers)
  • Family physician's record
  • Verified record of blood test showing immunity to measles and rubella

What if my student cannot get proof of immunizations?
Measles and Rubella immunizations are provided free of charge at the Health & Wellness Center or you can get your student immunized by your private health care provider or the Public Health Department and send proof to the Tech Health & Wellness Center. Include social Security Number and date of birth on proof of immunization.
Send to: Health & Wellness Center, Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, AR 82801-2222
Fax to: (479)967-6610
Questions: (479) 968-0329

Should my student  get the meningitis immunization?
The American College Health Association is now recommending that all college students, especially those under 20 years of age who are living in residence halls, consider getting immunized against meningococcal disease. People under the age of 19 are at the highest risk. College students living in dormitories have been found to be at greater risk than others because of close living quarters and more frequent use of shared items. Recent research suggests that students who are smokers or heavy drinkers are at even greater risk due to lowered immune systems.

Where can my student get the meningitis vaccine?
 Every year the Health and Wellness Center provides a meningitis vaccine clinic.  The Health and Wellness Center now offers the Meningitis vaccine.  There is a charge for the injection.  Also the Health Department is offering it now for entering freshmen. Please check with the Health and Wellness center for this information at (479) 968-0329.

Can my student find out about student health insurance?
Yes. Applications are available through the Health & Wellness Center. Call (479) 968-0329 for more information.

Can my student get allergy shots at the Health & Wellness Center?
Yes, however there is a special form which must be filled out and signed by the student's health care provider.