Spring Break
Husky Bucks Go Off Campus
Alyse Taub
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: News
Husky Bucks, a debit account that students can use at various on campus venues - not to be confused with points - has gone off campus for the first time. Restaurants, a gas station and even a florist have jumped on this new opportunity for the local business community.
"It's been a long time coming," said Ruth Francis, director of the One Card Office. "Off-campus vendors have been asking for it for years."
According to Francis, it is very common for major universities to allow off-campus vendors to participate in on campus debit programs. As the vendors are charged a fee, "It is a good way for the university to afford to maintain the debit program."
The off-campus vendors seem to really appreciate the new program. "We get a lot of business from college students from both UConn and Eastern [Connecticut State University] and now UConn students can use their Husky Bucks in lieu of cash or credit cards," said Hillary Rake, manager of Angellino's Italian Restaurant in Mansfield. "We believe that this program will make it easier for college students to come down and visit us because not all college students have access to cash."
Rake said it is still difficult to tell how much it will increase their business because the program just started, but they have been getting use out of it. "As more people become aware of it we think it will increase our business," she said.
"It gives students who normally only eat in the dining halls the chance to try something new," said Shawn Luber, owner of Sgt. Pepperoni. "Although I've only noticed a small increase in business, I've noticed that we've gotten a lot of new customers."
"A lot of students don't realize that you can use the Husky Bucks for deliveries. All you need to do is give your peoplesoft number when you place your order and then bring down your [student] ID when it's delivered," he said. "I believe that once students realize Husky Bucks can be used for deliveries, we will see a big increase in business.
Currently students are able to use their Husky Bucks debit accounts at Angellino's, both the Blimpie on North Eagleville Road and the Blimpie on Route 195, Domino's, D.P. Dough, Red Rock Pizza and Café, Sgt. Pepperoni, Tin Tsin, Vickie's Lunch Wagon, Campus Florist and the Citgo at the intersection of Route 44 and 195. Subway, Lizzie's Curbside and Randy's Wooster Street Pizza will be Husky Bucks compliant soon. Students can use their ID card to purchase whatever they would like at these venues, with the exception of alcohol, which must be purchased separately.
Francis encouraged students to inform local merchants interested in Husky Bucks to contact the One Card Office to be included in the program.
Contact Alyse Taub at Alyse.Taub@UConn.edu.
"It's been a long time coming," said Ruth Francis, director of the One Card Office. "Off-campus vendors have been asking for it for years."
According to Francis, it is very common for major universities to allow off-campus vendors to participate in on campus debit programs. As the vendors are charged a fee, "It is a good way for the university to afford to maintain the debit program."
The off-campus vendors seem to really appreciate the new program. "We get a lot of business from college students from both UConn and Eastern [Connecticut State University] and now UConn students can use their Husky Bucks in lieu of cash or credit cards," said Hillary Rake, manager of Angellino's Italian Restaurant in Mansfield. "We believe that this program will make it easier for college students to come down and visit us because not all college students have access to cash."
Rake said it is still difficult to tell how much it will increase their business because the program just started, but they have been getting use out of it. "As more people become aware of it we think it will increase our business," she said.
"It gives students who normally only eat in the dining halls the chance to try something new," said Shawn Luber, owner of Sgt. Pepperoni. "Although I've only noticed a small increase in business, I've noticed that we've gotten a lot of new customers."
"A lot of students don't realize that you can use the Husky Bucks for deliveries. All you need to do is give your peoplesoft number when you place your order and then bring down your [student] ID when it's delivered," he said. "I believe that once students realize Husky Bucks can be used for deliveries, we will see a big increase in business.
Currently students are able to use their Husky Bucks debit accounts at Angellino's, both the Blimpie on North Eagleville Road and the Blimpie on Route 195, Domino's, D.P. Dough, Red Rock Pizza and Café, Sgt. Pepperoni, Tin Tsin, Vickie's Lunch Wagon, Campus Florist and the Citgo at the intersection of Route 44 and 195. Subway, Lizzie's Curbside and Randy's Wooster Street Pizza will be Husky Bucks compliant soon. Students can use their ID card to purchase whatever they would like at these venues, with the exception of alcohol, which must be purchased separately.
Francis encouraged students to inform local merchants interested in Husky Bucks to contact the One Card Office to be included in the program.
Contact Alyse Taub at Alyse.Taub@UConn.edu.
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