Class of 2016 Senator Jon Jacob has initiated a project that would add local businesses to the University's WhoCash program.

Currently, Cappy's Pizza, the Prime Deli and the Village Market in Waltham are all participants in the WhoCash program. However, Jacob wrote in an email to the Justice that he would like to see the program expand "to all our favorite Waltham restaurants [and] businesses."

Jacob began to push for this initiative over the summer, during which he met with administrators such as Dianne Qualter and Muriel Bolio of University Services.

According to Student Union Vice President Charlotte Franco '15 in an email to the Justice, Senior Vice President for Administration Mark Collins is also aware of the idea and "has not stopped it so far." Collins was unable to be reached for comment by press time.

According to Jacob, the administrators he met with seemed to be "on board."

"The [U]niversity does seem to be seeking such possibility but they still need more research," Jacob wrote. Therefore, Jacob created a survey to show that there is a demand to expand the WhoCash program to other Waltham businesses.

Student Union Secretary Sneha Walia '15 sent out the survey in an Oct. 7 email to the Brandeis community.

The survey asked participants if they use WhoCash, what they use WhoCash for, how often they go into Waltham and whether or not they would use WhoCash at other locations. The survey also asked students to suggest local businesses that they would like to see involved in the extended program.
According to Jacob, the results of the survey are "very much in favor of the initiative."

Jacob wrote that 501 responses had been collected as of press time, and 82 percent of students indicated that they use WhoCash, 98 percent are in favor of its implementation and 90 percent would use WhoCash more often because of this service. A majority of students indicated that they would like to see Hannaford, Asia Wok and Baan Thai on WhoCash, according to Jacob.

After the survey, Jacob wrote that he plans to visit local restaurants and businesses to present them with his finding from the survey and see if they are interested in joining the WhoCash program.

According to Jacob, he will then meet again with Collins, Qualter and Bolio. Should the initiative pass, the University would issue swipe devices to the interested locations.

"I feel that this is an important implementation that has to be made since most universities are heading towards this direction. As Brandeis students, we should be able to enjoy this service as well," wrote Jacob.

Although Jacob wrote that he is aware that WhoCash has the same value as regular cash, Jacob wrote, "I see this as a step for Brandeis to strengthen its relationship with Waltham by supporting its local businesses. It is also a first step into perhaps, implementing the meal plan along with Waltham restaurants."

According to Jacob, Waltham restaurants such as Sabatino's and Prospect Caf?(c) have already expressed interest in joining the WhoCash program. "I can't speak for the Senate but I'm confident that my colleagues are in support of my initiative," he wrote.