Surprised students are finding out their CougarOne card may actually be charging them.
Several students have been caught off guard by fees for debit use and inactivity. However, before activating their OneAccount, users must check a box indicating they have read and agreed to the terms of agreement. Utilizing a credit or debit card and managing money are important skills to have-as is knowing to thoroughly read anything that requires a signature or bank account number.
Outlined in the agreement are stipulations for inactivity: a $19 fee will be charged each month after nine months of inactivity. The agreement also links to the OneAccount’s fee schedule, which includes the inactivity fee and the 50-cent fee for PIN-based transactions.
The laundry list of fees for this "free" service also includes those for wire transfers, lost card replacement and paper statements, among others.
It’s hard to take sides with a company that charges college students for not using a credit or debit card, but the issue is not whether the fees are just. Unlike those tacked on to tuition, the University does not require these.
Students do not have to utilize the OneAccount function of their Cougar One cards, nor do they have to agree to the terms if they don’t agree with them. Acceptance is entirely optional, and those unhappy with the charges should never have signed on in the first place.
Complaints like these highlight a problem that plagues many college students: irresponsibility. And unfortunately, it isn’t limited to finances.
Many students are not permitted to register for classes because they missed the cut-off date or are dropped from classes for not paying tuition on time. While PeopleSoft 8.9 can be blamed for a number of registration problems, students who do not check their accounts or the University’s Web site only exacerbate the situation. The University provides this information in a timely manner, but can only hold students’ hands for so long.
At some point, students must be responsible for themselves, especially when all it requires is a little bit of reading. And for those who still haven’t read the terms of agreement for a OneAccount, don’t be surprised if your card is denied. The company reserves the right to restrict or terminate access to the service at any time for any reason.
