Remember that flimsy piece of plastic that you have to get out and flash to a librarian to check out books once a semester?
That same Student ID can now be used at a variety of businesses in Muncie, from oil change shops to restaurants.
Student Government Association and Student Savings Club have come together to offer a multitude of discounts for Ball State University students all around Muncie.
SGA has done a great job in working with Student Savings Club to secure discounts across Muncie, but a quick look at the club's Web site signals potential problems.
Out of 27 businesses that offer discounts, barely half offer deals that are good after the end of the year. Meanwhile, there are 13 discounts that expire on the 31st of January. The discount card is looking less and less appealing.
SGA finalized the agreement, but so far there hasn't been much in the way of advertising that students can save a boatload of money at Muncie businesses.
Hopefully this isn't a sign that the discounts won't be around for long.
Fortunately, the discounts that expire in less than two weeks could be renewed and other discounts can be added, according to the Super Savings Club Web site.
At the very least, any deals that expire need to be replaced with comparable new discounts.
SGA has done well in securing the discounts for students, but unless the discounts continue to be available, SGA's efforts will be diminished.
Student Savings Club and SGA will be responsible for insuring that new discounts replace any that do not renew, and it would be best if someone with an eye for student interests was involved.
Businesses should seek out the chance to offer discounts as well. Not just chains, but exclusive local establishments.
The biggest benefit of the deal might not be to the students, but rather to the businesses who see a possible increase in revenue.
Discounts might lure students into Muncie to begin with, but if they disappear, students will likely go back to spending money at their usual local hangouts, like the Village.
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