Marquette Student Government is looking to expand MarquetteCASH to more businesses both on and off campus.
The university does not actively seek out companies to accept MarquetteCASH. That is something MUSG senator and junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, Roberto Santos and the Student Life Committee will handle.
“We’re trying to go to popular businesses on campus that students go to,” Santos said.
Santos said he and the committee are considering looking at businesses on campus such as Starbucks and Real Chili.
The foot traffic is a benefit for the business owners and accepting MarquetteCASH will attract more students.
“The more people that go through an establishment, the more business they’ll get,” Santos said.
The move to expand will not only be an advantage for the businesses on campus, but Marquette as well. When students spend MarquetteCASH, even at non-Marquette-affiliated businesses, part of the money makes its way back with 7.5 to 10.5 percent of sales going back to the university.When using a standard debit or credit card, 3 to 4 percent of sales go back to the company.
Santos said when students spend MarquetteCASH at a business off campus, the rate is 10.5 percent, but it continues to drop every year.
Although the committee is currently looking at businesses on campus, Santos said they may look into more businesses in the downtown area as well. There are already some that accept MarquetteCASH, such as Miss Katie’s Diner, MyYoMy! Frozen Yogurt and Pizza Shuttle.
Madeline Rose, a sophomore in the College of Engineering, said she often uses MarquetteCASH at Marquette-owned businesses like the Brew Cafes and Spirit Shop. She also said she would be glad to see it expand to more businesses.
Although there are a number of places that accept MarquetteCASH, some students do not realize they can use it at non-Marquette-affiliated businesses.
Ben Pettee, a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences, said he uses it frequently but was also unaware it could be used at places off campus.
“I would definitely use it,” Pettee said. “The only downside is you can’t convert it back to cash.”
Santos said one of the committee’s goals is making people aware of the places MarquetteCASH can be used. He said he plans to use social media to inform students and potentially provide freshmen with a list when they first arrive on campus.