Ball State University students already see tuition, health center and technology fees on their bursar bills, but Student Senate is exploring the possibility of adding textbooks costs to that list.
That is, if the Ball State Bookstore and university officials are willing to make that an option.
The project would allow Ball State to join the ranks of Indiana University, Purdue University and Ivy Tech State College in allowing students to pay for their books through their bursar account. University officials, however, are not sure how the system could work. Bill McCune, associate vice president of controller and business services, said such a system would be contrary to the university's long-standing policy against using the bursar's office to collect money for a third party - in this case, Barnes & Noble, which owns the campus bookstore.
"If the university wants to change that policy in that instance, than we would start doing it," McCune said. "I would be skeptical."
Student Government Association President Steve Geraci said he had reservations about whether Ball State would pursue the option but liked the idea.
"It's something that could be very useful for students," Geraci said, "but it's a big financial risk for the university to use their bank for the bookstore. And it's not something that is infrastructurally set up right now."
Ron Sorrell, Ball State Bookstore manager, said he would support the university if it agreed to the system and always tried to support the efforts of SGA. The university, however, might face a challenge in overseeing and maintaining such a program, he said.
"Logistically, it's possible on my end," Sorrell said, "and if the university would decide to go into that direction, I would be supportive of it. But at this time, I don't know what would be involved on the university's end."
Matthew Walker, who became chair of SGA's Academic Affairs Committee on Wednesday, said he would try to speak with university and bookstore officials today about the plan. The athletics department already has a similar agreement with the bookstore for its student athletes, he said.
"It's just a matter of time talking with the administration, talking with the bookstore and with the bursar to see what they are willing to do," Walker said.
The program would allow students to have their financial aid money automatically taken out of their bursar account for books instead of receiving a separate financial aid check, Walker said. Students also wouldn't have to worry about paying separate credit card and bursar bills, he said.
"We already have health fees on there," Walker said. "How much harder would it be to add the bookstore? ... Books are required for class. What makes the health center different from the bookstore?"
However, if a student fails to pay a bursar bill that includes textbooks, the university would have to absorb the cost, which could mean a hike in tuition and fees, McCune said.
"In this day and age, the Ball State Bookstore takes credit cards and Cardinal Cash debit cards that we provide," McCune said. "I mean, there are a lot of ways you can pay for books. I don't see why we would need to add this other way and add another administrative cost to the university."
Walker said if a system is implemented, he hoped it would not cause the university to raise prices at the campus bookstore or hurt competition with TIS and CBX college bookstores.
"We still want competition there, but we want another form of payment that students can use," he said.
Another option would be providing students with a card similar to Indiana University's CampusAccess Card, which is backed by the university's credit union.
A similar card at Ball State could be used at shops and restaurants in the Village, including TIS and CBX. Unlike the Cardinal Cash account, the debit card system would be monitored by a bank - most likely First Merchants Bank - and would be connected to the student ID card, Walker said.
McCune said he hasn't seen this option as a major priority for students, but the university would look into it if enough students expressed interest.
A bursar or debit card system would be available by Fall 2006 at the earliest but most likely not until 2007, Walker said.
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