University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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A DAY IN THE LIFE ..

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This is the first semester that ser- vices from Cutler Health Center and the Maine Center for the Arts have been included on the Vali-Dine system, and representatives from both institutions have high hopes for the success of the process. Betsy Allin, Cutler’s associate director, said that although the system is not operating yet, she thinks it will work out well. “We arc always running behind if we rely on printed rosters or lists for information, she said. The all-purpose Vali-Dine card Don’t leave without it by Jaime Osgood Staff Writer The Vali-Dine card isn’t just a meal card anymore. It is now UMaine’s official identification card, giving students access to more ser- vices through it. Paul Pangbum, Residential Life’s coordinator of operations, said that students this year will be able to use the card for not only food and library services as in the past, but also for recreational athletics services, sports passes, Maine Center for the Arts tickets, theater and dance admissions, and health services. Pangbum said the advantages of widening the scope of the Vali-Dine card are twofold. On one hand it will eliminate a lot of running around for the students, and on the other, it will save the university a great deal of time, ” he said. Pangbum said allowing students access to those services with their card will help boost the efficien- cy of each area. We (Residential Life) feel that this is going to improve services all across the board,” he said. David Ames. UMaine recreational director, said that since the card began to be used for admission to recreational facilities two years ago, things have become much simpler. “We use it mainly for checking students who want to use Wallace Pool, the weight room, reserve ra- quetball courts, rent recreational equipment and that sort of thing,” he said. Ames said that before the Vali- Dine system was used, students were required to pay cash every time they visited any of those facilities. “Now it is all covered in the recrea- tional fee, and the card allows us to determine if students are entitled to use the facilites, whether they are really students, and whether they have paid the SIS fee,” he said. “This benefits the students as well. It is a lot easier than signing in, and usually takes less time. ” Allin said she expects the ValiDine system to help the health center and the students themselves keep track of their actual status as to whether the health fee option has been paid, or whether students have health insurance. Brenda Henderson, box office director for the arts center, said that the system has been in operation since classes began. “It saves a lot of labor,” she said. Henderson said the Vali-Dine system has already been an improve- ment over the issue of a separate am cards last year. It makes it much easier for ui determining how many free tickets students are eligible for, and why,” she said. Each of the new services have bought access to the system, and rent card readers, similar to the ones us- ed in the dining commons. Pangbum said the exact cost of the expansion could not be given now because the it is not complete!) finished, but he did say redesign estimates were between $40,000 aad $50,000. Pangbum said that hopefully b the end of October, students will be able to use their Vali-Dine cards as sports passes as well. “ ? Ate» 0 sutl •Ofranpa $aead:tf juud »£ Parking u