2008 Woodie Awards
New debit card causes confusion on campus
Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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While trying to solve problems, Webster has instead created new ones. Case in point: the new Higher One debit card.
Simply, most students don't know what to do with the card meant to obtain university refunds. Despite the distribution of fliers across campus, some students still don't know about the university's new refund option and others just don't get it.
Perhaps the university should have taken a more active role when informing students about the new debit card. Instead of posting signs and hoping students would stop to read them, the Webster University/Higher One task force should have visited classes and answered student questions firsthand. While a Q-and-A might have cut 10 or 15 minutes off a professor's lecture on witchcraft in Southeast Asia, the time would be well spent. Students could ask questions and know just what to do when their debit card arrived in the mail - or what to do if it didn't.
If the university is so dedicated to helping students obtain their refunds faster and easier with this new debit card, they should have taken the time to better inform and educate students. By now, most students have received their Higher One/Webster University envelope in the mail. Although the envelope advises students not to throw it away like another piece of junk mail, most probably ignored that warning and pitched it anyway, not knowing it costs $20 to replace a lost card.
If the card was mailed to the wrong address, the student must pay a visit to the registrar's office to change their address and then go to the Business Office to be issued a new card.
Some students remain confused as to whether or not they need this new, shiny piece of plastic. Not all students get a refund from the university, but everyone gets a Higher One card regardless. Thus, students who do not receive refunds might still get tangled in the activation process for a card they probably won't need.
So which is it - debit or credit? If a student chooses to activate an account and wants to avoid fees, the card must be used as "credit." According to the Webster University Higher One Web site, the old "swipe and sign" method ensures no additional fees will be charged to the account.
Simply, most students don't know what to do with the card meant to obtain university refunds. Despite the distribution of fliers across campus, some students still don't know about the university's new refund option and others just don't get it.
Perhaps the university should have taken a more active role when informing students about the new debit card. Instead of posting signs and hoping students would stop to read them, the Webster University/Higher One task force should have visited classes and answered student questions firsthand. While a Q-and-A might have cut 10 or 15 minutes off a professor's lecture on witchcraft in Southeast Asia, the time would be well spent. Students could ask questions and know just what to do when their debit card arrived in the mail - or what to do if it didn't.
If the university is so dedicated to helping students obtain their refunds faster and easier with this new debit card, they should have taken the time to better inform and educate students. By now, most students have received their Higher One/Webster University envelope in the mail. Although the envelope advises students not to throw it away like another piece of junk mail, most probably ignored that warning and pitched it anyway, not knowing it costs $20 to replace a lost card.
If the card was mailed to the wrong address, the student must pay a visit to the registrar's office to change their address and then go to the Business Office to be issued a new card.
Some students remain confused as to whether or not they need this new, shiny piece of plastic. Not all students get a refund from the university, but everyone gets a Higher One card regardless. Thus, students who do not receive refunds might still get tangled in the activation process for a card they probably won't need.
So which is it - debit or credit? If a student chooses to activate an account and wants to avoid fees, the card must be used as "credit." According to the Webster University Higher One Web site, the old "swipe and sign" method ensures no additional fees will be charged to the account.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Charlie Pavlovsky
posted 1/24/07 @ 2:46 PM CST
We are all adults. Where is the individual accountability? If you want your refund take some initiative and call the business office. They have been very helpful. (Continued…)
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