Off-campus OneCard to launch this month
Bill Bateman's Bistro, Charles Village Pub among restaurants accepting points
Sharon Leff
News | 3/23/08
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James Sheehan, vice president for administration and finance, said in addition to Bill Bateman's Bistro at 7800 York Road, students will also be able to use their OneCard at Charles Village Pub, 19 West Pennsylvania Ave., and Ridgely & Ferrens Marketplace, 11 Allegheny Ave.
"It has been a challenge to set up a process that works well for the students and is also auditable and meets all the state regulations and requirements," Joe Oster, associate vice president for auxiliary services, said.
Towson President Robert Caret first mentioned taking the OneCard off campus at his Fall Address in September.
Oster said Auxiliary Services started on plans to move the card that afternoon.
"[We have] 10 free setups which means the organization doesn't have to pay to get hooked in and get the equipment," Caret said. "Others would be able to sign on, it would just cost them whatever the start up costs are."
While students will be able to purchase crab pretzels or cheese steaks with their card, Bud Lights and Cosmopolitans will be off the menu.
"The vendors are required not to sell alcohol on the card. There's no other way than the honor system. If we find out a vendor is selling alcohol, we will turn them off," Oster said.
To incorporate the new feature, Towson contracted with Off-Campus Advantage, the same organization that handles the current OneCard contract.
"We really wanted to do it through them because that way we didn't have to [go through] a third-party vendor," he said. "[We could] amend our contract with them instead of going out and starting a whole new contract."
He said the University has considered many possible off-campus locations and is planning a survey to find out other locations where students would be interested in using their card.
"We worked with the Towson Chamber of Commerce and got a list of their businesses and shared that with Off-Campus Advantage," Oster said.
He said the University has no set limitations or restrictions on how many vendors could eventually be included.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 11
towson(university)towncenter
posted 3/24/08 @ 6:19 PM EST
It would be nice if the mall's food court would honor it.
Ben
posted 3/25/08 @ 2:22 PM EST
CHIPOTLE!!!!! This needs to happen. Villa Julie already has there card set up there.
John
posted 3/25/08 @ 8:34 PM EST
This is awesome! They definitely NEED to put Pizans on the list! I cant count how many times I am starving at 2 or 3 am and Pizans is the only place to get food on or off campus. (Continued…)
Thomas
Tom
posted 3/25/08 @ 8:46 PM EST
I was reading the article, expecting a list of 10-20 places signed up with this service, and was very surprised to see only 3! Then I looked closer and I found the reason for the short list: they want it to be auditable. (Continued…)
Ben
posted 3/27/08 @ 8:42 PM EST
You know, I was just looking into this on one cards website, our meals are not accepted, just retail points, what is the point of this. you mine as well just use your credit card or cash. (Continued…)
finally!
posted 3/28/08 @ 11:45 AM EST
It's about time! Bateman's in on campus and they've should have accepted points a long time ago!
it'd be cool if a tanning place accepted points... (Continued…)
Wow
posted 3/30/08 @ 3:56 PM EST
Wow! I can't believe some of these comments.
Auditing: This makes sense because they need to make sure they're not selling alcohol to students under 21. (Continued…)
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