Contracted Auxiliary Services is exploring the possibility of creating a new card that would allow students to use Tiger Cash around town, said Jason Rex Tolliver, CAS associate director.
The office is planning the idea with Higher One, a banking solutions firm, and Campus Federal Credit Union so students can use their ID cards at places like grocery stores and gas stations. However, Tolliver said students would not be able to use their cards at bars or liquor stores.
“This could provide students with more freedom and flexibility on how to spend their funds,” Tolliver said.
He also said parents have expressed interest in the idea because they could place money in their children’s account to be used at off-campus locations.
“People would be surprised at the amount of parents who put money in accounts,” said Tolliver. He also said parents like the security of knowing students are spending money on things like books and food.
Jilian Lunardon, a music freshman, said she thought the idea was nice since she always has her ID card with her when she’s shopping.
However, not all students agree.
“I think [the Tiger Card] should be limited to the LSU area, because people already have enough debit and credit cards,” said Paul Ionescu, a computer science junior.
Tolliver said the Tiger Card Office and CAS are looking for ways to better serve students and the University.
Tolliver said his office will create a student advisory board in the fall to help reshape the services the office provides.
“This is one way to connect to students,” Tolliver said.
He said the advisory board will suggest new programs and ideas and will do taste-testing for the food served on campus. Tolliver said student taste-testing “gives students a voice in what they’re eating.”
Tolliver said the Tiger Card office was looking to meet needs of incoming students at orientation and Spring Testing. He said previously, new students would stand in long lines waiting to have ID cards made. He said the new system allows cards to be made in one minute.
He also said students at orientation now will go to the office to have their cards made in groups, instead of all students waiting in line together.
Tolliver said CAS purchased a hand-held ID scanner which will be used to track attendance at campus events.
Union Director Shirley Plakidas said the Union recently used the scanner at its Late Nite event to collect demographic information on students who attended.
She said knowing demographic information of students who attend — such as age, classification, major, whether students live on or off campus — helps the Union advertise for its target audience. Plakidas said the Union will know where and how to effectively advertise for students.
“It helps us to do a better job to figure out who comes to the programs,” Plakidas said. “And hopefully we’ll use it for more programs.”
Tolliver said the new Tiger Card won best design at a national conference.
“There were some nifty cards there, but we won,” Tolliver said.