Card, mobile credential, payment and security
Three Auburn University students aren’t thrilled with the school’s mandatory meal plan. They’re so “not thrilled” that they’ve filed suit against the university, claiming the plan violates restraint of trade and Alabama law.
The lawsuit claims that the University’s policy to charge a mandatory dining fee in addition to the cost of tuition is unfair.
Beginning with the class of 2012, which started in August 2008, the dining plan was made mandatory. Those who live on campus are charged $995 per semester, while off-campus students pay $300, both in addition to the cost of tuition.
Read more here.
It’s more a students’ photo identification. It’s an all-in-one solution for campus access, services and events. The Mountaineer Card, the official campus card for West Virginia University, is an essential part of student life, according to The Daily Athenaeum, the university’s official student newspaper.
Students may use their Mountaineer Card in a variety of ways, including to access dining services, transits and buses, libraries, athletic events, student health services, select campus vending machines, campus laundry facilities, recreation center, and computer labs.
It is also serves as a debit card, where students can choose to put money on the card in the form of a debit plan called the Mountie Bounty program. The cards remain active and are used by the student for as long as they are registered for classes. The cards can be used to make purchases at a range of dining locations, copy centers, bookstores, vending machines, parking offices and technology support centers.
Schools officials say the card is still evolving. Planned, new features will allow students to make Mountie Bounty deposits online, check their balances and view their past transactions.
To find out more click here.
Kyambogo University, located in Uganda, has introduced smart cards for students and developed a software suite that will organize and track all campus activities, according to the Daily Monitor.
Unlike the campus’ previous manual record keeping methodologies, the new software suite will safely store student records online from the time the join the institution until they leave. Students will now also receive messages on their mobile phones informing them whether their grades have been entered into the system or not, and if they have been released for their viewing.
Additionally, new campus ID cards will be issued to students that will initially contain information their education, allow library privileges and enable administration to know whether the student has paid fees or not.
To read more click here.
Identification Systems Group (ISG), a provider in identification, security, and card personalization, announced in conjunction with Elliott Data Systems the release of a new design for its Command Case Solution.
Traditionally produced based on the customer’s desired configuration, the Mini Mobile Badging Unit and the newly designed Command Case Solutions are now available in a Quick Ship version. The two are produced using a standard configuration and are available to customers with a much faster turnaround.
The new case design includes an improved structure that is more efficient, provides better handling of accessory items, has more flexible PC specification options and is easier to maintain.
In partnership with Google, Columbus State University in Georgia recently developed a mobile application for Android-based devices - that ultimately provides a substitute for the campus ID card. Students can use this app to check out books from the library and access student discounts at participating merchants.
The mobile-based app also allows students to access real-time information, such as course schedules, campus maps, athletic events, immunization records, and campus bus schedules all from the convenience of their Android smart phone.
To find out more about the Mobile App we spoke with Robert Diveley, who is responsible for coordinating the development of the Mobile App, and who is also the executive director of operations at the campus’ Office of Information and Technology Services.
Q. What made you decide to create an Android app?
Q. Is Android the only platform supported? Are there plans to develop a similar app for the iPhone or other any other mobile platform?
Q. What exactly is the Mobile App capable of?
Q. Will this replace the student ID?
Q. Would it be accepted at events and such that require student identification for entry, discounts, etc.?
Q. How many students are currently using the Mobile App?
Q. How does a student obtain the App and Register?
Q. Are there any additional functionality coming in near future?
Western Michigan University has launched the registration for a new emergency communication system, WMU Alert, which is designed to place thousands of phone calls to students, faculty and staff in the event of an extreme campus emergency.
Any member of the campus community can register a phone number - cell phone, office or home phone number - to receive notification of emergency situations. If an extreme emergency is identified, the system’s mass call option will be activated, sending voice messages to all numbers registered to receive them.
The system is capable of making approximately 4,000 calls per minute. Text messaging is not part of the system because text messaging has a lower delivery priority and is not considered fitting for extreme emergencies.
Messages can be tailored to suit any emergency, and there are also several pre-recorded messages to provide clear, concise notification covering several possible situations. The phone messages will offer immediate directions for responding to the emergency identified.
Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma has teamed with Higher One to make the switch from paper check refunds to electronically distribute Financial Aid and other refund disbursements to students.
Previously, refunds to Tulsa Community College students have been exclusively disbursed as paper checks. With the new electronic system in place, TCC hopes to decrease the use of paper and become a more environment-friendly campus. The new system should also reduce student’s wait time for refunds, and cut administrative costs of processing refunds all together. No more time spent printing, stuffing, mailing and tracking checks.
The refund program will give students new options to choose from including direct deposit to a provided OneAccount - an optional, no minimum balance, no monthly fee, FDIC Insured checking account, or students may have funds automatically transferred to a bank account of their choosing.
When it comes time for disbursements to be made, a flat file is sent from Tulsa Community College to Higher One which includes student names and the total amount of each refund. An accompanying wire is also routed for the amount of the total disbursement. Higher One then disburses the refunds to each student based on how he or she chose to receive it.
