UMC refuses to pay fee, cuts All Aboard

Don Cox, director of support services for UMC, said the cafeteria is no longer willing to pay a percentage of its revenues from All Aboard purchases to the student unions.

"Basically, I was told that we are charged for the 'privilege' of accessing the All Aboard accounts. We tried to get them to get rid of the charge, but they would not," Cox said.

He said the cafeteria cannot afford to pay 8 percent because the hospital is a not-for-profit organization. Cox was told the fee is non-negotiable.

Mike Low, associate director of the Arizona Student Unions, said the fee is necessary because UMC is an independent corporation and its dining services are not a part of the UA.

"It's not unusual to expect a commission to be paid back for the use of a meal plan. Our theory is that if students didn't spend their money there, they would spend it with us," Low said.

Jennifer Hill, a biochemistry senior, said she used the All Aboard card at the cafeteria every night while living in Babcock Residence Hall.

"It's great that they took All Aboard, especially for students that live around there, like in the dorms," she said.

"I don't think the hospital should be charged for using it. It's not really fair."

Low said UMC takes in around $65,000 a year on All Aboard transactions, and the Student Unions receive 8 percent of that amount. Domino's Pizza also pays a percentage of its profits from deliveries to residence halls that are paid by All Aboard accounts, he said.

The 8 percent fee pays for the transfer of funds between UMC and the unions, the upkeep of the machinery involved and other administrative costs, Low said.

"It's not like we say gimme, gimme, gimme," Low said.

He said the hospital has been allowed to use All Aboard because it is adjacent to Babcock and the medical school complex, and because a large number of UA students live in the area.

"I think it is unfortunate that they've decided to terminate the agreement," Low said.

In place of the All Aboard cards, Cox said the UMC cafeteria will introduce its own debit card as early as the end of April.

"Anybody can put money onto one of these cards, like dorm students who live near here. We want students to know this so they can put a portion of their All Aboard money into one of these accounts," he said.

Hill said the new UMC card is a good idea, however, she thinks students should be able to use the same card when they are on campus.

Cox said the cafeteria will offer a 5 percent bonus to people who sign up for the program in its first 60 days.

"For instance, if you deposit $100, we'll put $105 in your account," he said.

Cox said the goal of the new cards is to speed up the lines in the cafeteria so people will not have to fumble around for cash. A $20 minimum deposit will be required to open an account, he said.