Just say, "Charge it"

SIUE is one of only two schools in Illinois that offers its students the option of paying tuition with a credit card.

According to the acting bursar, Emma Christensen, policy changes were discussed regarding this option because of the extra costs incurred by the university each time a credit card is used. These charges are not unique since every organization that accepts a credit card as payment must agree to pay the company issuing the card a fee that averages from 2 percent to 5 percent of the total transaction

"Dr. (David) Werner and the chancellor's councils' support of the credit card program was essential to our being able to continue offering this type of service," Christensen said. Christensen admitted that determining how many students pay tuition with a credit card and how much this costs the university each year would be nearly impossible.

"Our current system doesn't allow us to determine those types of numbers," she said, adding, "We hope to have the capability to do that soon though." Students have complained about the bursar's office for years, with the main complaint being the amount of time students stand in line.

"It takes time to respond to complaints and to implement changes," Christensen said. "We are really looking toward responding to students' needs and coordinating our efforts with other departments to come up with viable solutions to problems."

The office recently updated its cashiering system, which should decrease the amount of time students spend standing in line. "We're hoping that with our new cashiering system in place the whole realm of student services will improve," Christensen said.

Christensen said she hopes that if students do have a complaint, they will make the bursar's office aware of the problem as soon as possible.

"Talk to us," she said. "We're here to help the students in any way we can."