Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Jcards and Printing

During intersession many students stop by the library with a need to print forms for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately most of the time their Jcards are not activated to pay for the copies. Thanks to Ann from Clarkston, we have instructions that might help us help the students.  She writes:

I just spoke with the JCard Admin office. I was told that between semesters, JCards are in a dormant state, i.e. deactivated and without access to Print Management Funds (Paw Prints).
If you have students who need to print or photocopy, they/we can call the JCard office at x3330 (678.891.3330) and JCard staff will activate the card right then. Students will still not have access to Print Management funds, but they will be able to add money (JBucks) to their cards either at V-machines or online, https://eapps.gpc.edu/managemycard/.
JCards for fall students will be reactivated around August 12 (Convocation) when financial aid funds are released.

Today we had an immediate need to test this system, which demonstrates that the Jcards are very complicated.  Deactivation between semesters is one reason the cards won't work, but there are many others:  funds in negative balance; students not really registered, though they think they are; Jcard policy hasn't been approved, etc.  The process Ann outlined above will only work if deactivation is the only reason the card isn't working.  What's more, the reactivation is very temporary--for printing with Jbucks money on that day only.  The system load overnight will deactivate the card again until the new semester starts when all student cards are activated with new PawPrints money.

Jcard "fun" facts:
  • PawPrints is the $7.50 technology money put on the student card each semester to be used only with the Pharos system. Money accumulates on the card through fall, spring, and summer semesters, but is purged after summer semester. So a student registered for all three semesters would lose $22.50 if they don't accept the Jcard policy and use that card!
  • JBucks is added money from the v-machine or online site which can be used for print/copy plus vending machines, cafe, and bookstore. This money does not get purged, but the account will be closed after 12 months of non-activity.
  • Financial aid funds (up to $1000, after tuition and fees) can be linked to the Jcard, but that is only available the first two weeks of a semester, mostly for book and supply purchases.
The bottom line is that Jcards are the ideal option for printing and copying during the semester when a student is registered. At other times, purchasing a Vcard and adding value is a viable alternative.

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