Long in Development, Claremont Cash Debuts
By Caitlin Collins
Staff Writer

In the culmination of years of student initiative, the Claremont Cash system is ready to be implemented.

The Claremont Cash system, similar to flex dollars, allows students to use their ID cards for purchases. Range of uses for Claremont Cash will also be expanding in the next few years.

‘Whereas board plus or flex dollars can only be used at the dining halls, the Coop Store, the Café or the Coop Fountain at Pomona, Claremont Cash is in a sense cash you put on a card that you can use for anything at chosen establishments,’ said Frank Bedoya. ‘It’s used similarly to a debit card with the exception that you’re not allowed to make cash withdrawals from your Claremont Cash account.’

Students can now put money into their accounts, but use is currently limited to the Café, the Coop Store and the Coop Fountain. In the next few weeks, however, that will change.

‘What we are doing this fall is a laundry pilot program that will be in four laundry rooms, two down south and two up north,’ said Bedoya. ‘The hope is that it reduces students having to carry around quarters or looking for quarters at night.’

Specifically, students will be able to use ID cards to pay for laundry in Mudd-Blaisdell, Walton Commons and Walker.

‘I think it’s a good idea because a lot of times I don’t have enough quarters, and I have to take some from my roommate without asking,’ said Tom Hartwell ’07. ‘The change machine is in a really inconvenient spot, two floors up from the washing machine.’

Another part of phase one is being able to use Claremont Cash in vending machines, as there will be eight vending machines strategically located throughout the campus.

Phase two of the plan, which will be implemented in the next two years, includes expansion to off-campus venders.

‘Its going to be great for business because its going to get more students out in to the village,’ said ASPC president Ari Greenberg.

‘That sounds like a good way to get more eating opportunities in the Claremont area besides our own lovely dining halls,’ said Katie Jones ’07.

Furthermore, Claremont Cash is a 5-C system.

‘Pomona could have gone ahead with the plan like a year or two years ago, but they decided that they wanted to do it as a 5-C system,’ said Greenberg. ‘That’s what the hold up was.’

Flyers advertising and explaining how to put money into Claremont Cash accounts will be circulating shortly.

‘I think it’s great that this was started as a student initiative and now we get to see the benefits of it,’ said Greenberg. ‘It’s a great reminder that when students push hard enough, the administration listens closely enough.’

‘Its exciting that we are now at a point where we are able to move forward with it,’ said Bedoya.