UW News

June 24, 2010

Off-campus uses for Husky Card end Aug. 1

After Aug. 1, faculty, staff and students will no longer be able to use their Husky Cards to pay for purchases at off-campus, non-UW affiliated businesses, UW Housing & Food Services has announced.

That’s because the UW is transitioning its U-PASS program to become part of the regional transit agencies’ ORCA fare-collection system. As a result, the Husky Card will soon include an ORCA radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. “Combining the Husky Card Account Program and the electronic ORCA payment system into one card, while continuing to allow use of the card for payment at non-UW entities, could raise additional compliance requirements under federal banking regulations,” the HFS website states.

“Regrettably, in light of these considerations, the UW has decided that it must discontinue the use of the Husky Card Account Program for purchases made at off-campus retailers that are not directly affiliated with the UW.”

There were many off-campus retailers in the Husky Card program, including BBQ Chicken, Cafe on the Ave., Chipotle Mexican Grill, Delfino’s Chicago Style Pizzeria, Guanaco’s Tacos, Ichiro Japanese & Korean Restaurant, Jamba Juice, Northwest Fish & Chips, Papa John’s Pizza, Pita Pit, Safeway, Seattle Sun Tan, Starberry, Udublicious, University Teriyaki, Which Wich, Wing Zone and Yunnie Bubble Tea.

The Husky Card Account will continue to be accepted at the University Book Store and for campus services including HFS dining, copy services and parking.

To learn more about the Husky Card and the end of the off-campus merchant program, visit online here.