ETSU, along with local off-campus merchants, has added a new service to the ID BUC$ system. Beginning in March as a way to keep food prices down and provide more options to students, ETSU contracted with local merchants near campus in a deal that will now allow them to accept ID BUC$.

Merchants now accepting ID BUC$ include Zaxby’s, Cici’s Pizza, Kroger, Cost Cutters Family Hair Salon and CVS. Expanding to an off-campus system is modeled after those of Vanderbilt and the University of Mississippi.

 ID BUC$ is money that can be added to the ID card, but it is different from the meal plan and advantage system, because once those things are out, they are gone.

 ID BUC$ works much like that of a bank’s debit card but with one difference.

 “You can’t go into a credit situation with your ID BUC$ card, so there is no penalty, no overdraft fee,” said Charles Forrester, ETSU’s director campus ID services, which oversees ID BUC$. “Money to be spent as ID BUC$ must be added ahead of time.”

This is a feature that Tyler Scissom, a freshman business major, appreciates. “I like how you can’t over charge because sometimes I forget to check the bank and I forget how much I have left,” he said.

 There is also another distinct difference over a regular debit card.

 Using ID BUC$ to pay for something saves about 10 percent because you don’t have to pay sales tax.

 “It’s nice for those who don’t have the meal plan as well, because of the better prices,” Forrester said.

 The system, which was set up in February and was in place in March, has already had an increase in the number of deposits into the ID BUC$ accounts. And depositing money into an account will soon be even easier.

 “You can deposit money in the office, by phone, or on the Web site,” Forrester said. “The Web site is getting a facelift at the moment, and will be easier to use when it’s completed.”

 Ian Shaw, assistant manager at the West State of Franklin Road Zaxby’s, is pleased with the new deal.

 “Anything that makes it easier to pay, we’ll give it a try,” Shaw said. “We’ll take your money any way we can, and this is a fast and easy way for college students to pay.”

But the new ID BUC$ system will not take away funds from the university. ARAMARK, which provides food services on campus, will lose funds, but that loss is being offset.

 “The university gets around 30 percent of each sale,” Forrester said. “We are actually making more money than we will lose because we are providing more options, and a way to support the university.”

 More faculty and staff are using ID BUC$ because of the new system as well, Forrester said.

 “We’ve seen an increase in faculty and staff payroll deductions,” said Forrester. Payroll deductions are deposited from a pay check and onto the ID BUC$ card, and the amount can be set as needed. “I’ve doubled my payroll deductions because I buy my groceries from Kroger, and now I can buy them and help the university too.”

 ID BUC$ are also designed to be safer; the money cannot be lost. “If someone graduates, the remaining money can be cashed out,” Forrester said.

 And if the ID card is  lost or stolen, the owner can go to the ID services and cancel the old card or get a new one.

 While Forrester thinks there are a lot of advantages to the system, there are still some questions and issues left unanswered.

 “I don’t really know much about how it works, or where it works,” Scissom said.

Still others are reluctant to use the new program because of the lack of choices. “If I know more about it and they had more choices I would probably use it,” said Nick Kolinsky, a sophomore biology major.

Shaw also noted that Zaxby’s has had problems with insufficient funds on cards. “One girl knew she didn’t have enough, but she still tried to use it,” he said.

“We are looking for ways to get the word out, but it’s a slow process,” Shaw said. “We have signs and when people ask what they are, we’ll tell them.”

 Window decals and upcoming promotions, such as merchant of the week and film clips are planned to get the word out, according to Forrester, who said he welcomed ideas about spreading the news.

 To offer suggestions or to get more information about the ID BUC$ program and a complete list of on- and off-campus merchants, visit www.etsu.edu/id or contact Forrester at 423-439-8316.