Modern Day Scrip?
When students purchase meal plans, part of what they pay becomes Rowan Bucks and Dining Dollars. This money is transferred on to their student IDs. This money can then be used at select locations on campus and within Glassboro. Rowan Bucks can be used on campus, on Rowan Boulevard, and at select places in town, such as many retail stores or restaurants. Dining Dollars can only be used at dining locations on campus or on Rowan Boulevard. While Rowan Bucks last as long as you are a student at Rowan, Dining Dollars expire at the end of each academic year, meaning if you do not spend all your dining dollars by the end of the Spring semester, you lose them, futher encouraging students to spend their money at Rowan.
While Rowan money has the same value as US currency and is accepted at businesses the same way a debit card or gift card is, its similarities to the scrip currency of the glassworks cannot be ignored. Students who purchase any sort of meal plan are forced to also purchase Rowan money. Rowan actually breaks down the cost of meal plans on its website. Students pay for the meal plan and then pay the value of the Rowan Bucks and the Dining Dollars that come with that meal plan.
For example, if a student were to purchase a meal plan in which they get 14 meals a week, $200 of Rowan Bucks, and $100 of Dining Dollars, they would pay $2,105. On their bill, it would be broken up as $1805 for the meal plan, $200 for Rowan Bucks, and $100 for Dining Dollars. Often, students who purchase meal plans don't have a choice about it. Students who live in freshman dorms are required to purchase a meal plan, and consequently Rowan Bucks and Dining Dollars.
As you can see, Rowan forces its students to "purchase" their company money that is accepted only at select locations. In the same way that the glassworks would ensure that workers spend their money only at the company store, Rowan has ensured that its students must spend money at Rowan or in Glassboro. This benefits the University and the town by ensuring that students are spending their money at local businesses. However, it prevents students from spending this money elsewhere.
In my experience, the fact that this money is only accepted at certain locations actually encourages spending. Because I know that I have money that I can only spend at or near Rowan, I actually spend it. I will readily spend money on dinner on Rowan Boulevard or pay for an exercise class at the Rec Center because I know that I have to spend the money somewhere, or I will lose it. It also encourages students to take advantage of all that Rowan offers, such as on or off-campus trips and activities, or group fitness classes at the Rec Center, which can be all be paid for using Rowan Bucks.
