ID cards used as cash

The new SUB is not only giving students a variety of eating options, it is also contributing to the way students buy goods and services on campus.

Now students can use their Lobo ID cards, obtained at the SUB, as cash cards, called the Lobo Cash Card System.

"We had been looking at it for several years," said Minerva Carrera, manager of UNM's ID card services. "The opening of the new Student Union Building was a prime opportunity."

The implementation coincided with the July opening of the SUB in the hope that the businesses would benefit from each other, Carrera said. So far about 400 people have put money on their Lobo Cash accounts.

Carrera said that all incoming freshmen have been told about the new way to use UNM IDs at orientation.

Melanie Sparks, director of UNM's ID services and the Bookstore, said the Bookstore has replaced its parental support option on charge accounts with the Lobo Cash system.

"Before grandparents and parents could only put money on students' charge accounts at the bookstore, now those students can use that money anywhere on campus," Sparks said.

Sparks said the new system was created with students in mind and with the help of student focus groups put together by the Student Activities Office. Those focus groups came up with the Lobo Cash logo and the "a new way to pay" slogan that is accompanying the campaign.

She added that many universities across the country use similar programs and that she is hoping the Lobo Cash system proves as successful.

"It's a lot more convenient, but I wish they were implemented at more places around campus," said incoming freshman Daniel Treibel. He said he has only used the Lobo Cash option so far for textbook purchases, adding that many of the vending machines around campus haven't been outfitted with the program yet.

"It's a lot more convenient, and it is good to see that we are keeping up with the times," Treibel said.

Sparks and Carrera said that so far the Bookstore, the SUB, laundromats at residence halls, Dane's Deli and vending machines with high traffic are hooked up to the new system. They hope to add the library and all food venues and vending machines to the system in about a month. They also hope to have an online system of adding money to the card up and running within three weeks.

All locations which use Lobo Cash as the preferred method of payment are on the Lobo Card Web site at www.unm.edu/~lobocard. Interested students can also pick up a brochure in the Lobo Card office located at the plaza level of the SUB.

Lobo ID cards become Lobo Cash cards as soon as a $20 dollar minimum is deposited into a Lobo Cash account, Carrera said. Lobo Cash then becomes a cashless way to make purchases. With each purchase, the amount of the purchase is deducted from the balance.

Money can be deposited into a Lobo Cash account by mail, through the Lobo Card Office, at the UNM Bookstores, the main cashiers office at the Student Services Center or at the Housing Reservation Office.

Sparks said above all she wants students to remember that the change was made for them.

"We're doing it for them," Sparks said. "Students will be able to use one card for everything they need at UNM."