Some students use it daily, while others only whip it out for special occasions. Some let it collect dust, and others use it until it is bent and broken. Tiger Cards are the "official LSU identification for all students, faculty and staff" and provide access to an array of University resources - dining on and off campus, checking out library books, printing in labs, using the University Student Recreation Complex, taking computer-based tests, attending athletic events and accessing on-campus residence halls. Every student is given a Tiger Card to start their tenure at the University, said Stephen Barr, Tiger Card office manager. But surviving eight or more semesters with the same card is a feat for some, and the $15 replacement fee sounds steep at first. "It seemed a little expensive to replace," said Eddie Lane, chemical engineering junior. "I have to have it to take tests and eat." Lane, like 6,600 others who had replacement cards printed this past fiscal year, lost his Tiger Card and had to pay. While some students think they are being ripped off, the Tiger Card office pays a bulk of the price - $11.49 per card, Barr said. The remaining $3.51 revenue per card is set aside for future software and equipment upgrades. "There's not much of a profit margin," Barr said. "And the only time you ever get charged for a new card is if you lose it or misuse it." More than 15,000 Tiger Cards are printed every fiscal year, Barr said. The Tiger Card office assumes the replacement costs if a card has reader damage, laminate peeling, fading ink, manufacturing defects or if the cardholder changes names or University status. A Tiger Card with Tiger Cash - a pre-paid debit system - can be used as dollar-for-dollar currency at more than 35 off-campus locations including restaurants, convenience stores, health and beauty service centers and entertainment venues, Barr said. The Tiger Card office contracts a third party, Blackboard One, to negotiate contracts with off-campus locations using Tiger Cash. Vendors negotiate the equipment rental costs with Blackboard One, which provides training and technical support. The process is contracted out because the Tiger Card office lacks sufficient funding and manpower to do the work internally, Barr said. When Tiger Cash is used off campus, a small percentage, which varies depending on the agreement between individual vendors and Blackboard One, is taken from the vendor and split between Blackboard One and the Tiger Card Office. The percentage cut Blackboard One takes is the only compensation for their services, Barr said. Tiger Cash also may be used on campus at dining locations, laundry machines, copy machines, the Student Health Center and high-traffic vending machines, Barr said. Tiger Cash rolls over from one semester to the next, and upon graduation or withdrawal from the University, money in the account may be refunded if requested, Barr said. Victoria Bui, psychology freshman, said she only uses her Tiger Card once a week to eat on campus and to print in the library. Bui said her card is cracking and thinks it is a manufacturing problem as she has only used hers "like it's supposed to be used." G.P. Baker, physics sophomore, said he uses his card at least once daily. He said he puts money in his account weekly so he can eat at on campus. He said he carries his card everywhere, and it has endured the use with no problems. Barr said he said he does not expect the costs of using a Tiger Card - for replacements or depositing surcharges - to rise unless the costs on his department's end rise first.
---- Contact Nick Persac at npersac@lsureveille.com
