The Ram e-Card is more than just the picture ID of the past. It grants access to the residence halls, it has declining balance debit card that allows for cash-free purchases all over campus and the all-new system also includes a community of off-campus merchants that treat the card as a standard debit card. The Ram e-Card has three accounts present on it: RAM Bucks, RAM Flex, and RAM Books. Deposits can be made into any of the three accounts via one of four easy and effective systems. Deposits may be made online at www.ramecard.com. The online office processes Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards and funds may be added to the Flex or Bucks accounts. The Ram e-Card office is located on the ground floor of Sykes, across from the SSI Bookstore.
Deposits may be made with personal checks, cash or credit cards via the card office. Across from the card office is the CMC, the “ATM” of the Ram e-Card system. The CMC, or card management center, allows cardholders to deposit funds anytime Sykes is open, using credit cards or cash. Finally, cardholders or their parents may use custom-printed deposit slips, located in the Ram e-Card office, to deposit money into an account via personal check. Deposits should be mailed to the address located on the deposit slip.
The RAM Bucks account can be used anywhere on campus to purchase food, copies, snacks and drinks from vending machines and laundry services. It can also be used to pay dues at the fitness and health centers as well at the SSI Bookstore. Additionally, the account is the one and only account used for making off-campus purchases. RAM Flex can be used solely to purchase food on campus. It is accepted as payment for many vendors in the Ram’s Head dining facility as well as the Side Caf.All meal plans include $100 of RAM Flex dollars that act as cash in all WCU dining facilities.
The RAM Books account may only be used to purchase books at the SSI Bookstore. This account makes it easy for parents to assist in the purchase of their sons or daughters books without giving them a credit card and without giving them unlimited spending ability.
New this year are the many off-campus merchants in the Ram e-Card community. RAM Bucks can now be used at the following locations: The Bistro on W. Nields Street; both the Miles Road and the Paoli Pike CVS Pharmacies; Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant on W. Gay Street; King Chef Chinese Restaurant on W. Nields Street; Las Vegas Pizza on E. Gay Street; New Haven Style Pizza on S. Church Street; Papa Johns Pizza on S. High Street; Sprazzo on the corner of High & Gay Streets; and West Chester Diner on W. Chester Pike. Additional merchants may sign onto the program soon, so be on the look-out for updates as to where the RAM Bucks may be used.
Also new this year, is the 24-hour swipe system, which requires cardholders to swipe their Ram e-Card to gain access to their residence hall. Each card is configured uniquely, so that the cardholder is granted access only to his or her residence hall. This is done for security purposes; every swipe is recorded and it is known to public safety officials who has entered a specific building and at what time.
The Ram e-Card serves so many more purposes than just granting access to the residence halls and getting the student ticket price at the nearest Regal Cinemas. It serves as an invisible security guard prohibiting visitors from entering restricted buildings, and it serves as the main source of spending money for both on and off campus purchases.