Photo by Kanji Takeno

5 questions for … Joe Oster

TU’s OneCard now honored by

Towson restaurants, merchants

By Jan Lucas

How long has TU been planning to expand its OneCard options?

The dialogue has been going on for some time, actually. Students have been asking for this for years, but the implementation costs were too high until now.  Eventually the timing was right: County Executive Jim Smith pushed for it, Goucher, Loyola and Hopkins were already offering similar programs, and, perhaps most important, TU could manage the technical and financial end with existing staff.    

How many OneCard holders have indicated an interest in the program?

About 2,300 students have opted in since the program went live on March 24, and we’re expecting many more to want to take advantage of it. Card holders can go to the OneCard Web site, accept the new terms and conditions, and be able to use their cards at participating off-campus merchants. 

Which local merchants now accept TU OneCards?

At present Ridgely & Ferrens, CVS, Burger Bros., Jerry’s Subs & Pizza, A Taste of Philly and Bill Bateman’s are honoring OneCards.  We’re hoping that many more will come on board in the next few months.

And the transactions are entirely electronic, right?

Yes. Bob Campbell, director of Finance and Information Systems in Auxiliary Services, worked incredibly hard with the state of Maryland to make sure the process met with their approval. We’ve set up a bank account in Towson expressly for OneCard transfers. The transactions go from the merchant to the processing vendor, which then forwards them to TU for nightly payments and reconciliation. The expanded OneCard program is a service to our campus community that we’re hoping they’ll appreciate and use.   

Do any restrictions apply?

We’ve asked merchants not to accept OneCards for alcohol and tobacco purchases. Of course OneCard retail-point purchases are taxable, just like a bank debit card.

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