by Paula Bowker
Daily Lobo
Students who live on campus aren't the only ones using Lobo Cash.
Lobo Cash was developed in 2003 when the SUB opened and was used mostly by students on campus. Now, even students who commute to campus deposit money on their card.
"I use it once a day," student Jarrin Solomon said. "I use it mostly in the SUB."
Lobo Cash is a system where students can deposit a certain amount of money on their Lobo Card and use it like a debit card.
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The advantage to the card is that students do not have to carry cash around with them on campus, said Vienna Heindl, an employee of the Lobo Card office.
"You don't have to worry about having cash with you and not having to sign receipts," she said.
Heindl said at least five to 10 students come in every day to put money on their card.
She said the students who come in represent a small amount of students who use Lobo Cash, because many students deposit money onto the cards from the Internet or by phone. They can also go the Cashier's Department.
She said most people add about $20 to their account.
There is no limit to how much students can put on their card.
"There's about $100 on mine right now," student Austin Wetsch said, adding that he has been using his card for a long time.
Javier Gomez said about three or four of his friends use Lobo Cash.
Students can use their Lobo Cash at the SUB, La Posada and 22 other locations on campus.
The UNM Hospital has started accepting Lobo Cash at their cafÇs and cafeterias. The Starbucks in the bookstore also accepts Lobo Cash. Vending and laundry machines on campus are equipped to take Lobo Cash, too.
Students who have meal plans with La Posada and the SUB have a point system on their Lobo Cards similar to Lobo Cash.
Points can have $100 to $600 on them, but they can't be used in as many places as Lobo Cash can.
"Points can't be used on laundry or vending machines, but Lobo Cash can," said Sam Smith, an employee at the SRC convenience store.
Smith sees students come in and use their Lobo Cards quite often, he said.
"Toward the end of the semester, 30 to 40 students, at least on my shift, use cash versus points," Smith said.
Cathy Otero, an employee at La Posada, said many students use their points because of the meal plan.
"Two or three students will use Lobo Cash, but students who live in the dorms use their meal plans," Otero said.
She said points and Lobo Cash are rung up the same.
