Off-campus card usage continues to grow in schools utilizing Blackboard systems, benefiting both merchants and universities. The company reported that 18 schools were added last year to its Off-Campus Merchant Program, giving students greater flexibility in where they can use their cards.

Demand Grows for Enabling Student ID Cards to Make Cashless Transactions

WASHINGTON, DC – Blackboard Inc. announced that it has added eighteen universities to its growing roster of BbOne clients. The most recent BbOne additions include: Binghamton University, Cazenovia College, Cleveland State University, Colorado School of Mines, Creighton University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Georgia College & State University, Hartwick College, John Carroll University, Kirkwood Community College, Olivet Nazarene University, Sacramento State University, Southern University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Trinity College, University of Maine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas and West Chester University. BbOne enables students and faculty at these universities to use their university ID cards as a form of payment with off-campus merchants.

“We are delighted about the addition of these new schools to the BbOne program,” said Michael Chasen, CEO of Blackboard. “It’s particularly exciting to see schools representing such a variety of regions and disciplines. We think this demonstrates the value of BbOne across the board. No matter what the size, location or mission of a school – BbOne will help enhance the educational experience for the campus community members and surrounding merchants.”

Each of these BbOne agreements represents an extension of Blackboard services beyond the central university to the greater community. Several of these universities are active users of the Blackboard Learning System, the company’s flagship e-learning platform for online course development, and also rely on the Blackboard Transaction System for managing student debit accounts online.

“The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is pleased to utilize the BbOne program to expand acceptance of the Rebelcard, to off-campus merchants,” said Alex Herzog, Associate Director of One Card Services, at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “Over the last five years we have partnered with Blackboard to allow for growth of our transaction system and the services we offer at the University. After several rounds of number crunching, it was obvious that the only real solution for UNLV to create an off-campus program was through BbOne. We have found Blackboard solutions to be a great benefit to our students.”

BbOne is part of the Blackboard Commerce Suite, a package of three enterprise software applications supporting cashless transactions on-campus, off-campus and online and allowing for identification and security access. By utilizing an existing student debit account at the university, BbOne provides students with a safe, secure, cashless and convenient way to make transactions on- and off-campus, while assuring parents that their funds will be spent within a university approved merchant network.

About Blackboard
Blackboard Inc. is a leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services to the education industry. Founded in 1997, Blackboard enables educational innovations everywhere by connecting people and technology. With two product suites, the Blackboard Academic Suite and the Blackboard Commerce Suite, Blackboard is used by millions of people at academic institutions around the globe, including colleges, universities, K-12 schools and other education providers, as well as textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve education providers and their students. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe and Asia.