Initiative works to expand Purdue I.D. card use

Publication Date: 02/27/2007

A Purdue Student Government initiative could allow students to use their student identification cards to purchase items from off-campus merchants.

PSG College of Engineering Senator Levi Cowsert said the initiative would expand the current BoilerExpress program, which allows students to deposit money on their ID cards and make purchases at University-run businesses.

"The account will work just like BoilerExpress currently does, except with added functionality such as online account management," he said.

Cowsert said the program would have two advantages over a regular debit card.

"A Purdue ID has the card holder's picture on it, whereas a debit card does not," he said. "This assures that only the cardholder can use the card."

"Second, parents will have the comfort of knowing that the money they deposit in their student's BoilerExpress account is only being used for purposes that the University would approve of, and not for things such as tobacco or alcohol."

Cowsert said PSG is using a random sample survey on SSINFO to determine which businesses should be included. The deadline for completion of the survey has been extended until midnight today.

Brian Ballard, PSG President Pro Tempore, said students could make purchases from a variety of off-campus merchants, including restaurants, grocery stores, tanning salons and movie theaters.

He said the initiative would make it easier for parents to send spending money to their children.

"Parents and students would be able to load funds to the BoilerExpress account over the Internet rather than sending cash or a check to the Card Services office."

Ballard said PSG is working with Card Services and the Business Office to develop the program and hopes to have some functionality built into the program by next fall.

"With this feature added to the Purdue ID card, students will not necessarily need a debit card to facilitate a purchase off campus anymore," he said.