Dear Sir/Madam:Please find a press release for your consideration for the student paper about the new BbOne Program at West Chester University. Please feel free to contact me if you’d like to interview someone from Blackboard for a quote.
Thanks,
Melissa Chotiner
(202) 463-4860 x2404
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 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 14,000 students, faculty and staff at West Chester University will be able to purchase food, groceries, personal services, gas, necessities and entertainment using their ID at university-approved off-campus businesses. Students already regularly use their Ram Card 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 campus services 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.
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.
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent 10-Q filed with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of August 15, 2005. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company’s views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to August 15, 2004.
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Blackboard Public Relations Manager:
Melissa Chotiner
Blackboard Inc.
+1 202 463-4860 ext. 2404
Mchotiner@blackboard.com