Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Nicholas Badger [Click to enlarge]

Aggie Bucks will cease after May 20.

The program was first introduced in the mid-1980s as a meal plan option before being expanded and transferred to Student Business Services (SBS) in 1993. Executive Director of Student Business Services Bob Piwonka said the number of purchases used through the program peaked at the turn of the century and has been on a steady decline since.

"Because of the declining interest in Aggie Bucks and the increasing cost of delivering the old system," Piwonka said. "We decided to move to the new program that offers students the spending flexibility they want."

Piwonka said the program will be called Aggie Bucks Unlimited in an effort to preserve the Aggie Bucks name.

Aggie Bucks Unlimited will essentially be a checking account through Wells Fargo with additional features designed specifically for Texas A&M students. Some of the features associated with the program include, but are not limited to: overdraft resistance, same-day or next-day deposit of University refunds, ability to use the card with vending machines on campus and a card designed solely for A&M.

Piwonka said the program will have benefits for students even after graduation because they will be building a good credit score through the program. It will provide checkbooks for students who wish to use them. The transition process has been over three years now and included communication with the student government and focus groups.

"Students have worked with us every way through this transition," Piwonka said. "We wanted make sure we were listening to what students wanted if we were going to change the Aggie Bucks program."

Piwonka emphasized the importance of the Aggie Bucks Advisory Committee that has been established to monitor the program and resolve any issues students have with it.

Student opinion is mixed on the issue. Some students like the concept and others, such as freshman nuclear engineering major Maegan Griffith, do not.

"I think it's somewhat unnecessary and seems to be more complicated than things need to be," Griffith said. "I like the way the old system works, you just go straight through the school, and there is no middle-man required."

Justin Harsany, a junior supply chain management major, said while there are disadvantages, he thinks it is a good idea for A&M.

"I do like the fact that you can use it anywhere that accepts Visa, but I do not like that it is a separate card instead of on the ID," Harsany said. "But I think this will get more people to use the new system and will be much more convenient overall."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools