One Card System Aims at Making Life Easier
Jennifer Duncan
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: On Campus
The advancement of technology often makes life simpler. The One Card system started to be implemented this fall at Clearwater Christian College, and system administrators believe it will make campus life a bit easier for students.
Spring semester, 2008, the administration announced its plan to use a new card system. Joe Valentin, Director of Auxiliary Services, is directing the transition and says it will be a convenient tool for College.
"The purpose of the CougarCard is to offer students a greater selection of goods and services, making their transition to CCC easier and more pleasant. The card provider, Heartland Campus Solutions, has built a system that lets us add more features, as we feel we need them. The basic idea is that since everyone needs an ID, let's add value to it to benefit the campus community in as many ways as possible."
According to Valentin, the benefits are numerous, and the card will serve in the following capacities.
1. ID Maker: The card saves time by imprinting the Easter Library barcode on the back. Also, students will not need to go online any more to find their ID numbers.
2. Meal Plan Module: While tracking meals this semester, in the near future several meal plan options will be made available.
3. Event Module: The card will be used to record Chapel attendance, Fine Arts, and picnics on the soccer field.
4. Text Messaging capabilities: The card will provide the ability to send emergency messages to the entire campus body within minutes.
5. Give Something Back Network: Students (and their parents) can now put money on their student IDs and use them to make purchases at Centre Court and select off-campus merchants. They receive 1 percent cash back on all purchases and the College receives .5 percent cash back that goes towards funding student scholarships.
Included with the plan, the Cafe has received updated systems for credit cards and the register. Valentin said that there are many applications for this new card, and is excited for what the future will hold: "Future plans include installing card readers on laundry machines, copiers, and possibly vending machines. Door access is also something that we are looking at for the near future."
Spring semester, 2008, the administration announced its plan to use a new card system. Joe Valentin, Director of Auxiliary Services, is directing the transition and says it will be a convenient tool for College.
"The purpose of the CougarCard is to offer students a greater selection of goods and services, making their transition to CCC easier and more pleasant. The card provider, Heartland Campus Solutions, has built a system that lets us add more features, as we feel we need them. The basic idea is that since everyone needs an ID, let's add value to it to benefit the campus community in as many ways as possible."
According to Valentin, the benefits are numerous, and the card will serve in the following capacities.
1. ID Maker: The card saves time by imprinting the Easter Library barcode on the back. Also, students will not need to go online any more to find their ID numbers.
2. Meal Plan Module: While tracking meals this semester, in the near future several meal plan options will be made available.
3. Event Module: The card will be used to record Chapel attendance, Fine Arts, and picnics on the soccer field.
4. Text Messaging capabilities: The card will provide the ability to send emergency messages to the entire campus body within minutes.
5. Give Something Back Network: Students (and their parents) can now put money on their student IDs and use them to make purchases at Centre Court and select off-campus merchants. They receive 1 percent cash back on all purchases and the College receives .5 percent cash back that goes towards funding student scholarships.
Included with the plan, the Cafe has received updated systems for credit cards and the register. Valentin said that there are many applications for this new card, and is excited for what the future will hold: "Future plans include installing card readers on laundry machines, copiers, and possibly vending machines. Door access is also something that we are looking at for the near future."