To the Editor,
Response to Understanding ‘Campus Cash’ published 03/01/07.
It is very sad when one takes position on an issue they themselves are not informed of and does not seek to investigate and ask questions in order to gain accurate facts regarding the issue. It is even sadder when that person deliberately takes it upon himself to educate others of his lack of information.
In the 03/01/07 issue of the ‘Stony Brook Statesman’, one of our own has committed this act of deliberate misinformation. Please allow me to provide you the facts, so you may no longer be misinformed: What is ‘Campus cash’? The Laundry Vending debit account is being renamed ‘Campus Cash’ by the Faculty Student Association (FSA). Other then the use for laundry purposes, ‘Campus Cash’ can be used in some printing machines (HSC Library) and is starting to be accepted in snack machines in the Union Lobby. This is simply an expansion of the laundry account. Therefore, your ID card now has three distinct accounts, your meal plan (if you have one), your bookstore account (if you possess one) and ‘Campus Cash.’
What is the Off-Campus Debit Account? Final administrative approval to conduct an experimental plan with off campus vendors to accept ‘Campus Cash’ was obtained on the 18th 0f December and equipment was immediately ordered. An agreement was signed with Dominos (10% discount on all but 5-5-5 and 7-7-7 specials). An agreement was also reached with Subway’s (10% discount). These vendors did not offer this discount prior to the signed agreements.
The experimental program will begin as soon as the equipment arrives and is tested (expected to be sooner than later). Marketing materials have been prepared by the FSA and are ready for release in order to inform students. We thank Kevin Kelly, Karol Gray and the FSA Board of Directors for all their hard work and dedication to this project. The plan is to expand this program in the near future.
The expansion plans goes beyond adding more vendors to the list of approved vendors, it also includes the ability of students to utilize their financial aide awards in order to fund their ‘Campus Cash’ account, just like the book store account. I hope I have provided ample information regarding this Off-Campus Debit Account and ‘Campus Cash’.
Please feel free to email at [email protected]
With many ups and downs and compromises being made by both sides, this current Off-Campus Debit Account plan was reached with the potential to be more beneficial to us than one can imagine. I would encourage all students to take part of this experimental program if possible, because the greater benefits of the Off-Campus Debit Account depends on the success of this current experimental phase. If me spending my entire summer months here on campus in order to start conversations that were necessary to come about an off-campus debit account and all of its future benefits and to address other student life concerns was ‘wasted effort of time and energy’hellip;’, then I’m guilty as charged.
If understanding that as president of the student body I need to advocate for student needs and also understanding when to compromise and not to compromise while not burning bridges with the administrators that are essential in helping to bring about change and reform to campus life is ‘wasted effort of time and energy’hellip;’ I am again guilty as charged.
All of us are attending Stony Brook University, which speaks greatly of our level of education and critical thinking skills. Please, my fellow students, seek to be properly informed and most importantly do not let others deceive you.
Sincerely Yours,
Romual Jean-Baptiste, USG President
(Your Chief Servant)
