The Student Government Senate recently passed a resolution that aims to expand TigerCASH in the area surrounding the University.
There are currently 36 off-campus merchants that accept TigerCASH, according to Stephen Barr, University Auxiliary Services director of Contract Management and Technology.
While Barr said he has not heard of the SG resolution at this time, he doesn’t see any negative outcomes resulting from additional businesses using TigerCASH.
“The business gets to partner with the TigerCASH program. We will advertise their location in our office and during orientation sessions,” he said in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille. “It gives them an opportunity that they might not have if not on the TigerCASH program.”
Aaron Caffarel, SG Senate Speaker and co-author of the bill, said the process of integrating additional businesses into the TigerCASH program is still in its preliminary phase.
Expanding the reach of TigerCASH was on Caffarel and running mate Alli Robison’s push card when the pair ran for SG president and vice president last year, Caffarel said.
Christina Grishman, SG senator for the University Center for Advising and Counseling and co-author of the resolution, said the expansion of TigerCASH is essential since it’s an important resource for many University students.
“With more and more local stores accepting TigerCASH, students will be more willing to utilize these particular venues,” she said.
If TigerCASH were expanded, students would have more options of which businesses to purchase from around campus, and businesses would benefit from the additional flow of customers, Caffarel said.
According to Barr, TigerCASH holds the same value to local vendors as any other type of payment in most cases.
“Like a debit or credit card, TigerCASH is located on a piece of plastic, and if you just want to grab and go without carrying a wallet or purse, all you need is the card to make a purchase,” he said.
Barr also said a percentage of the purchase’s cost will be returned to the University to be contributed to a variety of programs on campus.
The next step in the process includes meeting with Barr over winter break to discuss plans, Caffarel said.
“We’re going to look at a map and see what else there is to tackle,” Caffarel said. “We’re going to start at the Northgate area and expand outward.”
Caffarel said he would like Bacio di Roma, the gelato shop on Chimes Street, to become one of the first businesses to accept TigerCASH. He also named College Drive and Acadian Thruway as other potential target areas.
“We want to start a dialogue with businesses and complete the circle around campus,” he said.
The cost to implement the TigerCASH program into local businesses can vary depending on the business, Barr said.
“We use a company, Blackboard One, to handle our off-campus merchant recruitment and set-up,” he said. “The business covers the cost.”
In addition, Caffarel said SG may look into creating a poll in the future to receive student feedback on businesses they’d like to see accept TigerCASH.
 
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Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]