ATMs: Access allowed

Thanks to the efforts of IU Student Association, Bank One ATMs will soon be installed at limited locations around campus.\nIUSA treasurer Emily Kolles said bringing Bank One ATMs back to campus has been a project IUSA has been working on since April, the beginning of their term. \n"This was a campaign promise," Kolles said. "So by doing this we'll be fulfilling a promise."\nKolles said Bank One coming back to campus is "pretty much" all set up, and all the work has been done. She expects that this will not be carried through to the next IUSA term. \nKolles said Bank One will be installing at least two ATMs.\n"They are going to put one in the Union and the Business school," Kolles said. "They will possibly put one in Ballantine, too."\nBank One ATMs used to be set up around campus, but were taken out about two years ago and replaced by University-owned ATMs. Incoming students, including Kolles, joined Bank One because they believed it would be the most convenient. With ATMs around campus, Bank One customers would not have to pay the extra surcharge to withdraw money.\n"When I was a freshman and I came to school, Bank One was there," Kolles said. "And one of the reasons I joined because there were a lot of Bank One ATMs around."\nWhen Bank One withdrew from the campus, the University bought the ATMs, IUSA president Jake Oakman said. Now IU ATMs incur up to a $3.00 user fee from students.\n"The University owns them now," Oakman said. "So no matter what, you'll get a user fee. We want to bring back the Bank One ATMs back to campus somewhere to give students more options."\nBoth Oakman and Kolles said the reason Bank One left campus was because of a misunderstanding that led to the contract ending before renewal. IUSA has been acting as the intermediary between the University and Bank One to re-establish the connection and get Bank One ATMs back on campus. \nThe process is not without its red tape. IUSA is working with the physical plant, and the architectural office to install the ATMs into the academic buildings. Oakman said to bring the ATMs back, Bank One will buy the current ATMs from the University, with each one costing up to $15,000. \nKolles said both groups have cooperated and a conclusion should be seen soon. This was a sentiment shared by Oakman.\n"The union (ATM) should come along any time now," Oakman said.\nOakman and Kolles see no disadvantages to having Bank One ATMs back on campus, except that not every student is a Bank One customer. Those students will still pay more to withdraw money.\n"That's probably the only major drawback," Oakman said. "It just gives more options."\nSophomore Meredith Snook, a Bank One customer, is definitely in favor of Bank One ATMs returning to campus. \n"I could get cash on campus without being charged two fees or having to walk to Kirkwood just to get cash if I need it," Snook said.