Careful with that card, Eugene

As many of you know the credit card companies are out to sign you up for a great deal at a low interest rate, with next to nothing monthly payments. And if you believe that then the world is flat and global warming is caused by methane released from a cow’s dumper.

Throughout the past school years, these credit card companies have been allowed to invade the campus, mainly the Student Union, inviting you with prizes and t-shirts. These t-shirts have such words as Philly Blunts or 4:20: “Do you know where your bong is at,” obviously promoting the use of tobacco or the wacky green stuff that will make you eat until you are bored with eating. The most common shirt bears the face of John Belushi, from the movie “Animal House,” sporting a shirt that says “college.”

Well, I must say that this is exactly how the credit card companies would like you to act. Either, by getting so stoned you do not remember where you used the card when you were munching on a seven-course meal. Or, by forgetting about what it is you are here for (education) and purchasing large amounts of mind buzzing liquids and lose your rationality at wild frat parties.

As interesting as both of these options may be, itOs important to think about the use of these credit cards for such events. I have heard the statement, “I am only going to use it for emergencies,” then seen these emergencies become six packs of coke, or a box of doughnuts and a pint of milk. And that is why the student government here at this institution of learning have now made it more difficult for credit card companies to perform their rituals in the SUB.

No longer are these companies allowed to have you sign contracts with their promise of gifts in the Student Union. Also, if the credit card companies do happen to set up their booths elsewhere on campus, they have to have more information available to the students that will better educate them about the cards, with data such as interest rates, annual fees and computation methods clearly displayed.

And to make it easier for clubs and organizations to work with these credit card companies, BSU has enacted a policy in which the companies must pay a flat rate to the club or organization, instead of working based on the number of applications collected. So, we as the students here at BSU, need to be more aware of the dangers involved in getting credit cards. And we as students need to pay more attention when giving these companies personal information, to avoid them sending a card in the mail with an outrageous interest rate, and putting you in debt that will take most of your life to pay in full.

Be cautious of anyone with a smile soliciting plastic money. They only act like friends.

-Trevor Klein is the student relations coordinator for ASBSU

Trevor Klein

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