Flex Points Come Downtown

by: Jordan Wales

A student walks into Eclipse and orders a milkshake before handing over a little plastic card. Their method of payment? Flex points off their Montevallo student I.D. What has long been a part of larger universities, such as Alabama or Auburn, is finally coming to grace the doors of the University of Montevallo this spring- the ability to pay with flex points at restaurants on Main Street.

Montevallo Main Street Courtesy-Martin J. Reed

Deanna Smith, vice president of Business Affairs, said that this has been in the works for a while for the university and when the dining provider changed to Chartwells, they included a provision to bring the software necessary to do “Downtown Dining” in the contract.

Local restaurants will be given the opportunity to enroll in the program and the university expects the system to be functional before this semester ends. For senior Julia Erwin, that means more options than just Moe's and the ability to support the local businesses.

"I'm very excited that we're going to have flex points on Main Street because I feel like it is a much better and effective use of our flex dollars, especially for some people that don't like to eat in the caf a lot. And I think it's going to be a much better bridge to connect the gap between the university and the town of Montevallo itself," Erwin said.

UMOM Courtesy-Frank Couch

   When a student swipes their I.D card at a participating merchant the points will come off the card just like at Moe’s. However, there are some restrictions. When the meal plan is purchased, the money put on the card becomes labeled as state funding. This means that no alcohol or tobacco products will be allowed to be purchased with the flex points.

           The college hopes to eventually have a one card system, where vending machines, groceries, and services, such as haircuts, will be available for purchase with flex points.
          For more information on where and how flex points can be used and the "Downtown Dining" program, contact the Business Affairs office at (205) 665-6012.