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MBNA may be allowed to restart telemarketing
Kelly Underman
Staff Reporter
Undergraduate students are no strangers to telemarketing. During recent weeks, there has been concern over an increase of calls from credit card companies. In light of this, USG is considering allowing the credit card company MBNA to again contact students. An ad hoc committee met on Feb. 19 to discuss the possibility of permitting telemarketing.
According to assistant director of Alumni Affairs Kimberly Watts, USG did permit MBNA to contact in the past. However, that was ended three years ago. Said Watts, “At this point, there’s a possibility” that MBNA will allowed to resume its telemarketing. She noted that MBNA is the credit card currently endorsed by CWRU.
The endorsement is in the form of a partnership. “There are funds that are donated back to the university,” Watts explained. For every student purchase made with an MBNA credit card, a certain percentage is given to USG and other student organizations. Watts said she “can’t provide percentage by contract,” but mentioned that over $10,000 was given to USG by MBNA from student purchases.
“The more funds that are available through student card use, the more funds for student activities,” Watts explained. USG is not the only group or activity sponsored by these funds. Springfest and Homecoming, were made possible in part through the funds returned by MBNA. The company also offers a seminar during orientation week for parents and students. This seminar covers the basics about building credit.
Other credit card companies have accessed student information through other places besides the university. “These companies find ways regardless,” Watts added. MBNA would be different because it would be sponsored by CWRU and would make donations to student activities. Like other telemarketing calls, students “can just say no,” as Watts pointed out. While these calls might annoy students, Watts placed emphasis on the funds returned by MBNA, which does not occur when students use other credit card companies.
“There are some goods things involved in holding a card,” Watts pointed out. “In this day and age, most students have a credit card.” However, the outcome will be determined by USG, through student input. Watts hopes that students “recognize that there is some benefit” from allowing MBNA to contact students.
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