Students and other patrons paying with a credit card may have noticed an expedited check-out process at on-campus eateries lately.

As of March 19, improvements made to the system have allowed once frazzled employees and customers alike to rejoice in quicker credit card charging.

“It’s the equivalent of going from a dial-up connection to DSL or T1,” said Ann Benson, manager of Parking and Card Services.

Benson said that Parking and Card Services has worked on setting up the new system, but nothing was installed until processing and authorization was Payment Card Industry compliant.

“PCI compliance is for security issues,” Benson said. “We had more and more hoops to jump through.”

In order to prevent credit card fraud, lines need to be secure when processing and authorizing credit card purchases.

According to Benson, the switch was motivated by the length of time the old system took to complete credit card transactions.

“This system will be used in the new arena, and it needs to be fast,” Benson said.

With the construction of Chaifetz Arena nearing a close, the concession stands will open for business next week.

The new system is intended to speed up the halftime wait at concession lines.

“The first person to swipe went through quickly, but the rest were slowed down,” Benson said of the old system. “Now everyone has their own outgoing line, which allows for faster processing time.”

The new system, which cost $6,100 to install, is functional wherever there is a cash register on campus, including arena concessions.

Residence hall dining facilities, such as Griesedieck and Reinert, were also equipped with the new system.

“It is helpful all around and beneficial to everyone,” said Martin George, acting director of Dining Services. “More and more people are using credit cards.”

Employees who work in the various dining facilities agree.

“It’s a lot nicer,” said freshman Stacie Turner, a barista at The Bean. “I’d encourage people to use their credit cards more often now that [the system] is faster. Sometimes it would take up to two minutes [with the old system].”

Benson added that Parking and Card Services is working to install other useful systems in the future.

“A system called [Black Board] Community will be implemented by fall 2008, at the very latest,” Benson said.

This new system will allow students to buy tickets for student activities online, and to add more Billiken Bucks or Flex Points.

BBCommunity will also provide more security for students using their student ID cards to make purchases, since it gives them the ability to deactivate their card themselves on Banner if it is lost or stolen. Currently, students must go to Parking and Card Services in DuBourg Hall to cancel their ID card when they lose it.