SUNY and Citibank to Implement Multi-Purpose Card System on Campus

Strategic Insights -

The State University of New York (SUNY) and New York-based Citibank have announced plans to implement a multi-purpose identification and transaction card system on campus. The system, known as the SUNYCard, aims to streamline and update campus services by consolidating various functions on a single card. The card will be used for identification, library and information services, entry to residence halls and academic facilities, and will also offer optional banking and telephone calling card services. The system has been extended to the City University of New York (CUNY) and Cornell University, with the potential to include over 800,000 students, faculty, and staff.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SUNYCard system will consolidate various services on a single card, including identification, library and information services, and entry to residence halls and academic facilities.
  • The card will have a unique design for each campus, with a digitized photograph and a unique identification number.
  • Each card will have an individual bar code for scanning, and two magnetic stripes: one for standard information and a second stripe for an "electronic purse" for transactions.
  • Banking services will be based on decrementing a student's bank account, and will be used for tuition, food service, residence hall rentals, and other services. Major purchases will require a PIN.
  • The card will also be used to link information services across multiple campuses, enabling students to access information from other campuses.
  • Citibank's technology partners in the implementation include MCI, Diebold, and Digital Equipment Corp.
  • The contract is still under negotiation, but campus officials expect card production systems to be installed at a few campuses in early 1995.

Statistics:

  • Over 800,000 students, faculty, and staff could use the SUNYCard system if all three campuses (SUNY, CUNY, and Cornell University) are included.
  • The system will consolidate various services on a single card, reducing the need for multiple cards and increasing efficiency.

Sources:

  • State University of New York (SUNY)
  • Citibank