Local businesses profit from CatCash

Recent evaluations of the CatCash transition off campus revealed benefits for students, accepting Milledgeville venues and GC&SU.

Director of Auxiliary Services Kyle Cullars said many factors, such as an increase in enrollment and the addition of Einsteins Bagels, make it difficult to determine the effects the university has seen since the transition.

However, profits for the first three weeks of Spring Semester 2006 are up from Spring Semester 2005 by approximately $6,000, or 20 percent. Cullars said he believes the increase in amount of deposits students now make on Bobcat Cards should prevent the university from incurring any losses as a result of added vendors. The system has been growing off campus in recent months, and many managers feel as if the new system provides benefits for students.

Clinton Pitchford, a Milledgeville Zaxby’s manager, said the recent off-campus meal accommodations are for student convenience.

“Students would rather pay with CatCash,” said Pitchford. “It’s better than spending money out of their own pocket.”

According to Pitchford, Zaxby’s profits have also benefited from CatCash. After implementing the new payment method in November, Zaxby’s profits have increased between 15 and 20 percent. CatCash accounts for as much as $500 to $1,000 every day.

“I used my CatCash seven times at Zaxby’s last week,” said James Bentle, freshmen marketing major. “It’s better than the (Sodexho) alternative.”

The students and business owners are not the only ones benefiting from the card’s broadened use, said Michael Haun, marketing manager of Auxiliary Services.

He said parents are guaranteed that money is deposited onto Bobcat Cards is used properly.

According to Cullars, the university also benefits- through varying commissions from contracted venues.

“The card caters to the students,” said Haun. “It is not only convenient and flexible, but it is also safe.”

CatCash is not like a credit card where transactions can accrue interest, said Keeno Weaver, manager of the Bobcat Card Office. CatCash is similar to a debit card that can be suspended and reactivated by visiting the Bobcat Card Office, calling (478) 445-CARD, or visiting www.gcsu.edu/bobcatcard.

Cynthia James, a junior nursing major, said the Bobcat Card working as a debit card is beneficial.

“I like the idea that I can use my CatCash off-campus because sometimes I don’t have any other money,” said James. “I’ve used the card at CVS and Zaxby’s, but I wish grocery stores or Wal-Mart would accept too.”

However, Cullars said the incorporation of some retailers into the CatCash system could actually hurt the university.

“Anytime there’s a merchant that has high dollar checks or bills, we’re not going to make those a part of the Bobcat Card,” Cullars said. “We don’t want to take big chunks of money off campus.”

According to Cullars, allowing large off-campus purchases would eventually result in a loss of profit for the university. Students may begin to deposit less money on their cards and on-campus projects and dining facilities would probably suffer, he said.

Safety precautions are being delved into stores that sell restricted products. The Bobcat Card’s transition to off-campus stores was not intended for the purchase of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, said Haun.

“Any place that sells alcohol is not encouraged to accept the Bobcat Card,” said Haun. “This ensures parents that the money they deposit is not going to alcohol or tobacco products,”

Businesses in Milledgeville began adopting CatCash three months ago, providing students with empty pockets another way to pay.

Blimpie’s, Domino’s Pizza, CVS/Pharmacy, Cuts by Angels, and Zaxby’s offer GC&SU students their services in exchange for a swipe of the Bobcat Card.

Auxiliary Services is still determining the exact affects of the recent accommodations. Haun said the Bobcat Card modifications still have a ways to come. “CatCash off-campus is like a baby in infancy,” said Haun. “We (GC&SU) hope it benefits the students.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 3 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry