I wanted to let you know that West Chester University of Pennsylvania has selected Blackboard Inc.’s BbOneTM program to enable students to make secure, cashless transactions off campus using their student ID cards. This new system will make it possible for West Chester University students to soon purchase everything from meals to toiletries at off-campus locations.Blackboard has already signed ten merchants up for the program including two CVS locations, Papa John’s, The Bistro, King Chef, Las Vegas Pizza, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, New Haven Pizza, Sprazzo’s, and the West Chester Diner.
Please let me know if you can use this information or if you have any questions. The press release is below.
Best,
Marie
MARIE FARRAR Senior Account Executive
T. 202.298.7600 x.214 C. 202.368.8235
DBC Public Relations Experts
1050 Thomas Jefferson Street
Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20007
www.dbcpr.com
West Chester University selects BbOneTM
to Manage Off-Campus Merchant Network
Students Can Now Make Off Campus Purchases with Student ID Card
Washington, DC, – August 15, 2005 – West Chester University of Pennsylvania has selected Blackboard Inc.’s (Nasdaq: BBBB) BbOneTM program to enable students to make safe, secure, cashless transactions off campus using their student identification (ID) cards. Through BbOne, more than 10,000 students, faculty and staff at West Chester University will be able to make purchases off campus using their campus ID at university-approved businesses. Students already regularly use their Ram E Card (named for the university mascot, the Golden Ram) for most on-campus purchases.
A core part of the BbOne program features an aggressive outreach effort by Blackboard, in partnership with the University, to potential merchants who might be interested in participating. Through BbOne, participating merchants gain access to student funds, program marketing, and the convenience of easy acceptance. Merchants are supported by Blackboard 24 hours a day, and receive fund reimbursements daily by direct deposit. Blackboard has already signed ten merchants up for the program including two CVS locations, Papa John’s, The Bistro, King Chef, Las Vegas Pizza, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, New Haven Pizza, Sprazzo’s, and the West Chester Diner.
“We’re extremely excited to provide more convenient and flexible spending options to our student body by taking our card program off-campus,” said Mell Josephs, Executive Director of Student Services, Inc. at West Chester University. “BbOne is the type of program our students are looking for, and we’re glad we can deliver it to them.”
“We are delighted to help West Chester University build its network of off-campus merchants and offer new, expanded benefits to its students, faculty and local business community.” said Michael Chasen, CEO of Blackboard. “BbOne brings tremendous value to the local community by linking students with local businesses to drive incremental sales and offer the security and convenience that students want.”
Merchants interested in joining the BbOne network at West Chester University may call 800-576-9279 for more information.
West Chester University, the fourth largest university in the Philadelphia region, is one of the 14 public institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
BbOne is part of the Blackboard Commerce SuiteTM, a package of three enterprise software applications supporting cashless transactions on-campus, off-campus and online and allowing for identification and security access. By utilizing an existing student debit account at the university, BbOne provides students with a safe, secure, cashless and convenient way to make transactions on- and off-campus, while assuring parents that their funds will be spent within a university approved merchant network.
About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard is a leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services to the education industry. The Company’s product line consists of five software applications bundled in two suites, the Blackboard Academic Suite TM and the Blackboard Commerce Suite TM. Blackboard’s clients include colleges, universities, schools and other education providers, as well as textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve education providers and their students. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices and staff in North America, Europe and Asia.
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