PennCash aims to fill QuakerCard void

Last month when the QuakerCard unexpectedly went out of business, thousands of University students forfeited the popular debit card that had allowed them to eat cash-free at dozens of University City locations. But from where the QuakerCard left off, the University's alternative PennCash system is ready to step in -- and indications are that students won't have to resort to cash for their cheesesteaks and salads for much longer now. Using the gold "smart card" chip located on their PennCards, students have been able to make photocopies at University libraries, do laundry and make purchases at a number of area stores -- including Baskin Robbins, both Campus Copy Centers, Papa John's, Eyeglass Encounters, Gaeta's College Pizza and Smart Alex -- since earlier this year. But according to Director of Campus Card Services Laurie Cousart, the University has been actively courting former QuakerCard affiliates to join the PennCash system. Cousart said that each of the merchants that accepted the QuakerCard has been contacted and that several have inquired directly about signing up for the program. "We are hopeful that there will be an expansion of PennCash," she said. Though no agreements have been finalized, Cousart said she expects several to be signed before the end of the month. In the wake of the QuakerCard's demise, many merchants expected to join the University's program. "If the PennCard comes, it comes," said Steve Grant, manager of Wawa on the 3600 block of Chestnut Street. "Anything that's good for the school is good for me." "I'll certainly explore the possibilities," said Steve Malamut, director of operations for CosCo Management, which owns the Philly Steak and Gyro Co, La Pastabilities and Eat at Joe's Express in the 3401 Walnut Street food court, along with the yet to be opened Eat at Joe's Diner on the 3900 block of Walnut Street and Salad Creations, also located in the food court. Cousart emphasized that unlike the QuakerCard, the PennCash system has a ready-made market. "The real attraction will be that we have 30,000 PennCards out in service," she said. She added that PennCash, unlike the QuakerCard, is not meant to make a profit for the University, but to "cover costs." The PennCard's debit feature was unveiled in March 1997 as a joint venture between the University, PNC Bank Corp., MBNA Corp. and the University of Pennsylvania Student Federal Credit Union. Students can deposit up to $50 at a time on their cards at any of the Card Value Centers located across campus, with the value of their purchases deducted from their cards at the time of sale.