JCash expanded to Charles Village
More than 10 off-campus locations will accept JCash, which replaces the university's two old JCard accounts, including "flex dollars" and "debit dollars."
The new system has been touted by university officials as simpler than cash and more expansive than the previous accounts.
"I think it is a really positive change that responds to issues students were raising before," said Michael J. Kendzjeski, Director of ID Card Services. "Students can now use JCash on and off-campus."
On campus, students will see little difference between JCash and previous systems, but the Office of ID Card Services has placed certain restrictions on off-campus transactions.
Vendors who accept JCash agree not to let students purchase alcohol, tobacco, firearms, pornography or drug paraphernalia with their JCards.
These restrictions exist regardless of the student's age.
Kendzjeski also said that, though items charged on campus will remain tax-free, purchases off-campus will be subject to Maryland's five-percent sales tax.
Some students seemed disappointed about the limitations placed on off-campus purchases.
"If they're going to let us spend JCash off-campus, we should be allowed to buy whatever we want, especially if we're of age," said senior Wheeler Maxwell.
Information about students' purchases will be logged by the Office of ID Card Services, according to Kendzjeski.
The store location and amount of purchase will be among the information gathered.
This information will be "highly sensitive," he said, but he added that parents will be able to call and ask what their children are spending money on. The Office will not reveal purchases they feel are private, such as contraceptives.
"We won't be disclosing if someone bought birth control at Health and Wellness or somewhere else," said Kendzjeski.
The Health and Wellness Center is among the locations on campus that will accept J-CASH. J-CASH can also be used at the bookstore, Cafe Q, the Marketplace at Levering, Terrace Court Cafe, Wolman Station, The Depot, MegaBYTES and The Jay Store.
Students on one of the University's meal plans will receive between $50 and $100 of J-CASH each semester, depending on their meal plan. This allocation will be limited to on-campus food purchases only.
Off campus vendors that will accept J-CASH this fall include Blimpies, Domino's, Donna's, Eddie's Market, One World Cafe, Orient Express, PJ's Pub, Silk Road Cafe, Subway and Tamber's Nifty Fifties.
Kendzjeski seemed optimistic about J-CASH.
"There's been a lot of participation in the program so far and the program looks ready to go," he said.
For more information about J-CASH, visit http://www.jcardonline.com.