Restaurants participate in DPU program

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

GREENCASTLE -- DePauw University students can use a portion of their meal money in Greencastle restaurants with a simple swipe of a card, under a new program being implemented for the 2009-10 academic year.

The new "DePauw Tiger Express" card will allow students to use DPU Plus dollars ($150 per year of fees which are included in the University's meal plan that can also be used for meals, vending and copy machines and laundry) or Tiger Dollars (funds they put on their card separate from meal plan) at ten nearby restaurants.

Eventually, parents and students may purchase additional funds for the Tiger Express card by visiting a soon-to-be-launched Web site.

"This is designed to be a win-win for students and local merchants," says Brad Kelsheimer, vice president for finance and administration at DePauw. "Our students will now have much greater choice when it comes to spending their discretionary meal dollars, and the DePauw Tiger Express card will make the transactions easy. Local restaurants will benefit from the business they receive. This underscores our commitments to serve our students in the best ways possible and to enhance the many bonds which connect DePauw and Greencastle."

All students may participate in the program. The card may be used to pay tips, but no alcohol or tobacco products may be paid for using Tiger Express dollars.

"Dr. Casey and I have been talking about the possibility of working out a swipe card system since last summer," says Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray. "This new program offers students more dining options and brings new customers to some of our great restaurants."

Effective today, the following local merchants will accept the DePauw Tiger Express card:

* ABC Gyros

* Almost Home

* Cavern Club

* Chief's

* Domino's

* Los Martinez

* Mama Nunz

* Marvin's

* Pizza King

* Treasures on the Square

Talks are continuing with other restaurants.

The economic impact of DePauw University on the local economy was the subject of an independent study in 2005. The report found that DePauw provides more than $176 million in benefits to Central Indiana on an annual basis and its activities create jobs employing 2,335 people.

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  • Brilliant idea. Definite win-win program. My only question is this -Why is ABC Gyros on the list, when they aren't even open? I loved the place, but I must have missed the news on why they haven't been open. Anyone know the answer?

    -- Posted by Light in the Dark on Wed, Aug 26, 2009, at 8:02 AM
  • Yes, a brilliant idea that greencastle merchants have been begging DePauw for for YEARS. Thank you Sue Murray and Brian Casey for finally getting this done.

    -- Posted by just a local on Wed, Aug 26, 2009, at 1:07 PM
  • This does sound wonderful. However, I have waited on students using their Tiger Cards, and in the majority of cases, I was not tipped AT ALL. And they are not permitted to tip on their card. So as long as the students realize that this is an additional benefit to them, that they are not eating at the Hub, and they should compensate for the bonus, this will be beneficial to all. It's absolutely not fair to servers, who make less than minimum wage (because tips are figured in as part of that MINIMUM wage) to spend time serving students who repeatedly don't tip, and yet arrive in groups of 10-15, and monopolize the server's time with appetizers, entrees, dessert and separate checks. I don't mind the work, but like everyone, I just like to be paid.

    -- Posted by diaspora on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, at 11:43 PM
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