University of Maine drops minimum purchase for credit cards

ORONO, Maine — After a week of having the program in place, University of Maine Dining Services decided to drop the $5 minimum retirement on credit card purchases.

“It wasn’t getting the results we were looking for,” said Daniel Sturrup, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services. “What we were looking for was an awareness of the banking fee charges as well as our promotion of Black Bear Bucks, but the results were negative.

“We tried to relay to folks to realize when you use your debit card for small transactions, a huge chunk of that money goes to the bank,” Sturrup said. “And that was the intent; that wasn’t the message that was going out there, so there was no sense to continue it.”

Workers in the Oakes Room, located in Fogler Library, said that they received multiple complaints from students about the $5 minimum because many of the items there are sold for less than $5.