With a little ingenuity, a new card reader and
existing software and computer, Peggy Hoos of the
Cashier's Office and programmer analyst Larry Johnson of Distributed
Computing Analysis and Support created a new service for students in
December: a kiosk for checking their university balances without having
to stand in line for the Cashier's Office.
The kiosk, which sports a registration card reader,
is rolled out into the downstairs Mrak Hall
lobby daily. Since the machine was installed, it has averaged 50
"swipes" a day as students check to see how much they owe for
registration fees or library dues by running their reg card over the
card reader. The machine has proven a big time saver: On the last day
to pay winter-quarter fees some 500 students used the system.
