Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Digg
Tell us what you think!Send a letter to the editor about this or any other article in The Maine Campus.
Today, students who want to buy food on campus have to use MaineCard or cash. If they have neither, they must go to one of the ATMs on campus, located on the first floor of Memorial Union, while dining operations are all located on the second floor.
Ross Wolland, vice president of Student Government Inc., says students have asked dining services for some time for debit and credit service on campus. Dining services has tried to accommodate them, Wolland said, but due to “software glitches” and issues with service providers, there have been delays.
This January, the era of taking $20 from the ATM to pay less than $2 for coffee is coming to an end.
“We agree [debit and credit service] would be a convenience,” said Janet Waldron, vice president of administration and finance.
According to Waldron, that’s why the Marketplace in the Union and Wells Commons will accept all major debit and credit cards starting in January. The service will expand to other venues from there.
“Students are shocked to arrive at UMaine and see that in the 21st century, we don’t have [debit/credit capabilities],” Wolland said. “I’m glad it’s finally here.”
What makes this development even better is that from what is known right now, this convenience won’t cost students, faculty, staff or visitors anything.
“We’re not anticipating an increase in price,” Waldron said.
Now is a time where most of the news coming from different corners of the administration involves budget cuts, layoffs and the death knell of academic programs. It’s refreshing to know that next semester, members of the University of Maine community will have their lives made a little bit easier by Dining Services.
