Students’ responses to ASB credit card policy

Bill Cheng • February 9, 2017

Photo courtesy of 401kcalculator.org, used with Creative Commons

On Feb. 2, Legislative Council members reported back to their fifth period classes asking survey questions regarding what kinds of policies the school should implement. Among these was one that seemed to garner mixed responses from the student body. ASB, according to legislative council, was considering accepting credit card as a form of payment in addition to cash and check.

There is an obvious convenience factor that comes along with credit cards. At the same time, though, credit cards aren’t necessarily common among high school aged teenagers. 28 out of 52 students surveyed did not have a credit card. Would it make sense for ASB to set up this system, when only a few people would be able to utilize it?

Junior Sophie Lian got a credit card when she went to a summer program that her parents thought would require her to have a non-cash means of payment.

El Estoque: What do you feel about ASB potentially implementing a policy to accept credit card payments?

Sophie Lian: I feel like it’s a good idea, but I would probably end up paying check anyway because it’s easier. But an alternate method of payment always seems convenient.

EE: Do you think students would actually use a credit card?

SL: I’m not sure how many students have a credit card, but I don’t think that many people would actually use it. I’m pretty sure most people are able to pay with cash or check even if they have a credit card; it doesn’t really seem necessary.

Senior Divya Adem thinks it will be a useful change to the school system, despite not having a credit card herself.

El Estoque: Do you think people will use the system?

Divya Adem: I think people would, because a lot of the times, people end up borrowing money from friends, and there’s this huge ‘I haven’t paid you back’ debt system that occurs in groups. And also, like half the population owes the lunch lady some money because people just get food and be like ‘I’ll pay you back!’ but they never do.

EE: Do you think enough students own credit cards at MVHS to make [the policy] useful?

DA: I don’t think a lot of people do. Some people have debit cards because they have jobs and stuff. And especially when you’re an upperclassman, people tend to have debit cards, but I don’t know anyone that has a credit card.

EE: So, in that sense, do you think it would make sense for them to invest in and accept credit card payment, or should they stick with cash and check?

DA: Maybe if they allow it more, more students will get credit cards because they’ll have more of a use for them and parents would allow it because they have more of a use.