CCSU’s Blue Chip Card Connects Campus to Neighborhood Businesses
Amy Magno, Director of User Support Services & Campus One Card

The Blue Chip Card not only helps students stay out of debt, it connects the campus to local businesses. The Blue Chip Card program, instituted in 1997, allows CCSU students and employees to pay for services on and off campus by using a declining balance account or debit card.  Upon joining the University, a debit account is automatically created with a zero balance.  Money can then be deposited online, through a Card Value Center machine or via the Card Office.  According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, the average debt for each student graduating from a public university in 2004 was $17,600.  That number will only increase with rising tuition costs, and does not include credit card debt.  So how does this card help students keep a lid on their debt while attending college?  Since funds available on the card are prepaid, it helps students stay out of debt by allowing them to spend only the money they have deposited into their account.

There are currently 13 off-campus businesses participating in the program.  Last month, new commission rates were approved by CCSU’s Executive Committee, and we are in the process of renewing our agreement with the existing merchants. Ten additional merchants have expressed an interest in joining the program, and we expect many of these new merchants to be on board by the start of the fall semester.  Students can use funds available on their account to purchase books, coffee, pizza and more.  Nearly $2 million are deposited each year.  Since these funds can only be spent on campus or with participating merchants, it serves as a bridge between local businesses and the campus community by enabling local businesses to tap into an additional funding source.

What’s so great about this program?  Revenue generated by the Blue Chip Card program helps to support scholarships and other programs on campus.  It’s also a wonderful convenience to Blue Chip Card holders, allowing them to make purchases without having to carry cash.  As a debit card, it can be used for off-campus purchases and for many University services. On campus it can be used for printing and copying, vending machine purchases, laundry services in the residences halls, discounted meal purchases in the Student Center and much more. The program does not allow for alcohol, tobacco or lottery ticket purchases, so it is an excellent way for parents to give safe spending money to their children attending the University.

The Blue Chip Card is a multifunctional card.  Besides serving as a declining balance account, it is also a photo ID.  It serves as a key to access many doors and parking garages on campus.  It’s a meal plan card.  It can be used as an ATM card with the credit union affiliated with the University. The Blue Chip Card is a necessary and important part of the University experience.

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