Chowan University, Murfreesboro, N.C., has tapped Blackboard Transact to provide its campus-wide, one-card system that involves a contactless student identification card that can be used for both commerce and door access.

The Hawks Card enables students a cashless way to make purchases, including dining hall meals, books and supplies and laundry services. The card also operates electronic door controls to campus buildings, creating centralized building management for college officials. The university plans to eventually integrate all card features onto mobile devices via NFC-enabled phones.

“We wanted to get aggressive in providing our community with an enterprise-wide card system that not only enhanced campus security, but also provided convenience when navigating the college,” said Brandon Zoch, assistant vice president of Student Affairs. “By partnering with Blackboard, we were able to prepare our campus for growth with a technology that not only meets the expectations of today’s student, but also sets us up to grow alongside industry innovations.”

“Utilizing an electronic credential as the center of a student’s interaction across campus directly supports the strategic goals of an institution,” added David Marr, president of Blackboard Transact. “Contactless technology, including ultimately mobile devices as virtual student IDs, is an innovative way to not only enhance a student’s on-campus experience, but also establish a base from which universities can keep pace with a rapidly changing industry.”

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