Fairfield University has it. A lot of colleges have it. Now it's our turn.

That's right. Forget spending down your meal card money with FLIK. Starting next semester, meal card money has a new use (and a new definition).

"Starting next semester, students will be able to purchase other things beside food with their meal cards," said Larry Wielk, Dean of Students. "This has been a project waiting to happen for six years. We [Sacred Heart] have the software to be a 'one-card' system.

"Right now, Sacred Heart uses the one card as an ID and a meal card. Last September, we put laundry services on the card and this September, the use of the student ID and meal card is expanding." Michael Moylan, director of the Student Union, explains that the card will be able to be used at the bookstore as a debit card, among other things.

"Students will be able to use their cards at the on-campus vending machines,and throughout the next year, more services will be added, like off-campus stores," said Moylan. "The way the system will work is that you will have separate accounts on your card. The accounts will consist of a general account, a bookstore account, a laundry account and the meal plan."

Student cards will act in the place of "FOB's" to gain entry into residence halls, as well. Also, students will be able to pay parking tickets and purchase new ID cards with the cards.

So many uses in one card. So are all the assets on the new and improved student card really a good idea?

Wielk thinks so for all aspects of college life.

"Parents can give students money and make it easy for students to keep track of and have some control over," said Wielk. "It's a good tool for both students and parents to manage the cost of education."

According to Wielk, both students and parents will be able to track where the money goes via the Internet. Also, a machine will be located near the ATM where students will have the ability to add money to their card.

But the use of the new card hopes to extend way behind these campus walls.

"In January of 2008, Sacred Heart hopes to expand the use of the card to local, off-campus establishments," said Wielk. "We are trying to enable students to have access to places which they use frequently.

"These places might include Stop and Shop, Mario the Baker and the establishments in downtown Fairfield. Locations where the shuttles go."

What do students think about this?

"Even though I'm moving off campus with my friends, I'll probably get some kind of plan," said Tori Cotugno, sophomore, Keene, N.H. "I wish they had this during my first two years here, though. It would have made spending down my meal money a lot easier." Moylan explained that with many student college cards, various establishments participate in programs that allow students to receive incentives, like discounts, when shopping at certain places.

In downtown Fairfield, restaurants like Chef's Table and boutiques like Swim N Surf, have offered SHU students discounts for some time.

"Having everything on one card is a useful tool," said Moylan. "It will help eliminate the need to carry cash around campus and will give you the security of not having to carry cash at all."

"Our world is becoming a 'cashless' society; we're just going with the flow. I'm very excited and very hopeful. This is an attempt for Sacred Heart to be responsive to the needs of our students."

Catharine Oehm, sophomore, Staten Island, N.Y. said she believes the new uses of the students cards will make it easier for the campus as a whole.

"The best part of the card changes is the convenience of having everything in one place," said Oehm. "It's the biggest hassle having to pay for things around here and the new cards will make everything so much easier."

Wielk stresses that Sacred Heart wants to know where students would like to use their cards.

"We are planning on asking the student government to do a survey to find out where and at what establishments students would like to be able to use their cards," said Wielk.

Locations where cards would be used have already been brought to the school's attention.

"I've heard of a lot of places from students," said Moylan. "Mostly the mall, Merritt Canteen, Super Duper Weenie, Blockbuster and other locations on Main Street. "The university gets input on card usage from two sources: students and vendors."

Cotugno already has places in mind.

"I would like to see the cards being able to be used at a variety of places, like tanning and for taxis," said Cotugno. "It would be great to have some restaurants, too."

According to Moylan, the response towards the new cards has been positive. "About 50 percent of colleges nationwide have systems like this," said Moylan. "Parents with older children at other colleges love the system and parents with children coming here for the first time are curious about it.

"The new card system would be accessible 24-hours a day for parents to add money to their students' card. Parents will be able to add the money, but they won't be able to see the transactions."

So if parents can't see the purchases, who monitors what can and can't be bought with the card?

"A concern that has come up is the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products with the cards," said Wielk. "Sacred Heart will not allow such purchases to be made on the card through strict methods."

Don't rule out on-campus activities. Being able to purchase tickets for events like the spring concert is a possibility in the near future.

"Basically, the entire system will make things easier for students, parents and the school," said Moylan. "What could be better than that?"