Difference between revisions of "Flex"

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Add money to your Flex account using [[SSOL]] or at the [[Hartley Hospitality Desk]]. You can use Flex to buy stuff at most on-campus [[dining locations]], [[vending machines]], residence hall [[laundry]] machines, and the [[Columbia Bookstore]]. You should try to use tax-free [[Dining Dollars]] at dining locations because Flex transactions are taxable. However, Flex is fantastic for purchasing your books since additions to Flex on [[SSOL]] will show up on your Columbia Bill, and therefore most likely be paid by your parents. Flex is also an alternative to cash or credit cards if you don't have one.
 
Add money to your Flex account using [[SSOL]] or at the [[Hartley Hospitality Desk]]. You can use Flex to buy stuff at most on-campus [[dining locations]], [[vending machines]], residence hall [[laundry]] machines, and the [[Columbia Bookstore]]. You should try to use tax-free [[Dining Dollars]] at dining locations because Flex transactions are taxable. However, Flex is fantastic for purchasing your books since additions to Flex on [[SSOL]] will show up on your Columbia Bill, and therefore most likely be paid by your parents. Flex is also an alternative to cash or credit cards if you don't have one.
  
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== History of off-campus flex ==
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==Off-campus flex==
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=== History ===
  
 
At least since Fall [[1995]]<ref>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccscsurvey/</ref>, a year after Yale introduced a similar program for its students<ref>[http://www.yale.edu/opa/ybc/v25.n17.news.04.html Three New Haven restaurants enlisted in rejuvenated Flex Dollars program - Yale Yale Bulletin and Calendar News Stories January 20-27, 1997]</ref>, Columbia students have been pushing for the ability to use Flex dollars at local businesses, especially restaurants. In [[2003]], the [[Division of Student Affairs]] even included a questions about off-campus in the [[Enrolled Students Survey]], with a question asking which locations students most desired to have flex at. [[Wayne Ting]] made off-campus flex a central part of his [[2004]] CCSC election platform, even though he knew it wouldn't come to campus for years.
 
At least since Fall [[1995]]<ref>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccscsurvey/</ref>, a year after Yale introduced a similar program for its students<ref>[http://www.yale.edu/opa/ybc/v25.n17.news.04.html Three New Haven restaurants enlisted in rejuvenated Flex Dollars program - Yale Yale Bulletin and Calendar News Stories January 20-27, 1997]</ref>, Columbia students have been pushing for the ability to use Flex dollars at local businesses, especially restaurants. In [[2003]], the [[Division of Student Affairs]] even included a questions about off-campus in the [[Enrolled Students Survey]], with a question asking which locations students most desired to have flex at. [[Wayne Ting]] made off-campus flex a central part of his [[2004]] CCSC election platform, even though he knew it wouldn't come to campus for years.
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Off-campus flex wasn't implemented for many years largely because the [[CUID]] system uses the owner's Social Security number in its barcode and magnetic strip, a fact that was announced in fall 2004. This could allow malicious hackers to exploit any weaknesses in the system to harvest SSNs. As of 2004, Columbia was the only [[Ivy League]] University still using SSNs with it's ID cards. <ref>[http://media.www.columbiaspectator.com/media/storage/paper865/news/2004/09/21/News/Security.Hole.Means.Flex.Wont.Move.OffCampus.Yet-2033440.shtml Security Hole Means Flex Wont Move Off Campus Yet] The Spectator 9-21-04</ref> While security was an important concern, others observers suggested that Columbia was reluctant to consider the program in the past because it would undercut on-campus [[Dining Services]] sales.
 
Off-campus flex wasn't implemented for many years largely because the [[CUID]] system uses the owner's Social Security number in its barcode and magnetic strip, a fact that was announced in fall 2004. This could allow malicious hackers to exploit any weaknesses in the system to harvest SSNs. As of 2004, Columbia was the only [[Ivy League]] University still using SSNs with it's ID cards. <ref>[http://media.www.columbiaspectator.com/media/storage/paper865/news/2004/09/21/News/Security.Hole.Means.Flex.Wont.Move.OffCampus.Yet-2033440.shtml Security Hole Means Flex Wont Move Off Campus Yet] The Spectator 9-21-04</ref> While security was an important concern, others observers suggested that Columbia was reluctant to consider the program in the past because it would undercut on-campus [[Dining Services]] sales.
  
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== Off-campus flex ==
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=== Reality? ===
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Off-campus flex finally became possible once the university's [[CUID#Secure Identity and Access Control Project|ID replacement project]] was completed in late 2007.<ref>[http://media.www.columbiaspectator.com/media/storage/paper865/news/2007/03/07/News/Cuids.To.Come.In.Late.07-2762085.shtml CUID's to Come in Late '07 - The Spectator 3-7-07]</ref> Columbia has sub-contracted implementation to BB1, with the off-campus flex system scheduled to open up at several [[Morningside Heights]] locations on April 1, 2008. Some locations have, however, started to accept flex earlier than this. [[Nussbaum and Wu]] accepted flex as of March 25.
  
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Off-campus flex finally became possible once the university's [[CUID#Secure Identity and Access Control Project|ID replacement project]] was completed in late 2007.<ref>[http://media.www.columbiaspectator.com/media/storage/paper865/news/2007/03/07/News/Cuids.To.Come.In.Late.07-2762085.shtml CUID's to Come in Late '07 - The Spectator 3-7-07]</ref> Columbia has sub-contracted implementation to BB1, with the off-campus flex system scheduled to open up at several [[Morningside Heights]] locations on April 1. Some locations have, however, started to accept flex earlier than this. [[Nussbaum and Wu]] accepts flex as of March 25.
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Problems struck later that month as [[HamDel]] rejected Flex, claiming its slow processing time led to longer lines that angered regular customers.<ref>http://www.bwog.net/articles/rip_off_campus_flex_2008_2008</ref> As of May 2008 only a handful of businesses accept the off-campus Flex system. It appeared to have some life left when [[University Hardware]] adopted the system in late April.<ref>http://www.bwog.net/articles/off_campus_flex_back_from_the_dead</ref>
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Revision as of 15:57, 29 April 2008

Flex is dollar for dollar money on your CUID. It's a bit like having a charge account, since the funds you put on it are charged on your monthly Columbia bill.

Uses

Add money to your Flex account using SSOL or at the Hartley Hospitality Desk. You can use Flex to buy stuff at most on-campus dining locations, vending machines, residence hall laundry machines, and the Columbia Bookstore. You should try to use tax-free Dining Dollars at dining locations because Flex transactions are taxable. However, Flex is fantastic for purchasing your books since additions to Flex on SSOL will show up on your Columbia Bill, and therefore most likely be paid by your parents. Flex is also an alternative to cash or credit cards if you don't have one.

Off-campus flex

History

At least since Fall 1995[1], a year after Yale introduced a similar program for its students[2], Columbia students have been pushing for the ability to use Flex dollars at local businesses, especially restaurants. In 2003, the Division of Student Affairs even included a questions about off-campus in the Enrolled Students Survey, with a question asking which locations students most desired to have flex at. Wayne Ting made off-campus flex a central part of his 2004 CCSC election platform, even though he knew it wouldn't come to campus for years.

Off-campus flex wasn't implemented for many years largely because the CUID system uses the owner's Social Security number in its barcode and magnetic strip, a fact that was announced in fall 2004. This could allow malicious hackers to exploit any weaknesses in the system to harvest SSNs. As of 2004, Columbia was the only Ivy League University still using SSNs with it's ID cards. [3] While security was an important concern, others observers suggested that Columbia was reluctant to consider the program in the past because it would undercut on-campus Dining Services sales.

Reality?

Off-campus flex finally became possible once the university's ID replacement project was completed in late 2007.[4] Columbia has sub-contracted implementation to BB1, with the off-campus flex system scheduled to open up at several Morningside Heights locations on April 1, 2008. Some locations have, however, started to accept flex earlier than this. Nussbaum and Wu accepted flex as of March 25.

Problems struck later that month as HamDel rejected Flex, claiming its slow processing time led to longer lines that angered regular customers.[5] As of May 2008 only a handful of businesses accept the off-campus Flex system. It appeared to have some life left when University Hardware adopted the system in late April.[6]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccscsurvey/
  2. ↑ Three New Haven restaurants enlisted in rejuvenated Flex Dollars program - Yale Yale Bulletin and Calendar News Stories January 20-27, 1997
  3. ↑ Security Hole Means Flex Wont Move Off Campus Yet The Spectator 9-21-04
  4. ↑ CUID's to Come in Late '07 - The Spectator 3-7-07
  5. ↑ http://www.bwog.net/articles/rip_off_campus_flex_2008_2008
  6. ↑ http://www.bwog.net/articles/off_campus_flex_back_from_the_dead
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