College Relations

August 9, 2005

Contact: Margo W.R. Steiner (978) 542-7505

"One-Stop-Shopping" Card Allows for a Nearly Cashless Existence on the SSC Campus

Salem, Mass. - Commencing this fall, Salem State College students will be able to lead a nearly cash-free existence on campus, when the College's new ClipperCard is rolled out.

More than just a photo identification card, the ClipperCard also replaces the commuter meal plan and the residence student declining balance meal plan for continuing students, and also serves as a board plan card for those students on regular meal plans.

But that's not all. In addition to setting funds aside for dining, students will also have the ability to use the funds contained on the card for other college spending needs, including purchases in the College's bookstore and at on-campus vending and laundry machines. Students' ClipperCards will also serve as their library cards and allow them access to the dorms.

A new feature for students this year is the establishment of a "Flexible Spending" account. Essentially a prepaid debit spending account, money can be added to the card at any time. For students on campus, the new ClipperCard will eliminate the need to carry cash and take the hassle out of carrying enough change to operate vending machines and other ClipperCard-enabled facilities around campus.

Eventually, the College expects to work with merchants and businesses in the greater Salem area who serve Salem State students, making it possible for them to accept the debit card as well. Chief among these businesses will be restaurants and pizza parlors, gas stations, grocery stores, clothing stores and other retail outlets frequented by the College's student body. It is hoped that this element of the card will be rolled out in the spring of 2006.

Also looking ahead, other features planned for the card will be the ability for students and their parents to add funds to their account or check balances over the Web. A website has already been established for the ClipperCard and it's anticipated that a regular email newsletter will be developed to publicize promotional events or other facets of the card worth noting to the college community.

It is expected that the new ClipperCard will be a boon for everyone. For students, there will no longer be a need to carry a great deal of cash. For merchants accepting the ClipperCard, there will not only be a way to track the percentage of traffic they get from the College, but the opportunity to link their businesses to the College's website and vice versa, making it an ideal marketing tool for reaching a significant segment of Salem's population.

Following quickly on the heels of the ClipperCard roll-out to students, variations of the card will be issued to faculty and staff, trustees, conference attendees, vendors and alumni. Each category of card will be easily identifiable - and distinguished from others - by a unique color code.

Salem State College President Nancy Harrington received the first ClipperCard in brief ceremonies at the College on August 9.