At some point in the past 5 years, paying for a $4 coffee using a credit or debit card has gone from an oddity to a normality.
In fact, online purchasing, Paypal and credit cards have taken the places of checks, cash and going to the store.
Ball State University has taken a positive step by replacing the cash registers in the Atrium with machines that are credit and debit card compatible. It is good to see students' requests being heard, and the plastic-swiping potential should not stop here.
Other dining facilities will become credit card capable if the Atrium experiment goes well. Bookmark Caf+â-¬, Noyer Retreat and Woodworth Complex's eatery will be equipped with the registers following their installation in the Atrium. This, too, deserves applause.
Although it is great that students no longer have to run to an ATM if they are out of cash and want a candy bar, Visa and Mastercard are still not options for standard tuition payment.
It might mean more investment for the university - both financially and in terms of equipment. However, students might be willing to pay a small charge for being able to use their credit card at the bursars office - or better yet, set up QuickPay to automatically charge a credit card to pay tuition.
Just think of those airline bonus miles and cash back.
Distance and independent learning classes can already be paid for with credit cards. That department is leading the way, and the Bursar's office should follow.
We appreciate that snack breaks can be paid with credit cards, but tuition - involving greater amounts of money - could be far more convenient if it could be paid for via a little piece of plastic.
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