Client Success Story - University of Western Ontario
Founded in 1878 by Bishop Isaac Hellmuth and the Anglican Diocese of Huron as "The Western University of London Ontario," Western is one of Canada’s oldest and best universities. The first students graduated in arts and medicine in 1883. Through its 12 Faculties and Schools, and three affiliated Colleges, the University offers more than 60 different degree and diploma programs.
Today, The University of Western Ontario is a vibrant centre of learning with 1,164 faculty members and almost 29,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Through its 12 Faculties and Schools, and three affiliated Colleges, the University offers more than 60 different degree and diploma programs.
The University of Western Ontario upgraded their campus card system to CBORD’s Odyssey PCS system in February, 2003. The school uses a Western One Card, which is the students photo ID, library card, declining balance debit card for on and off-campus retail food service, vending card and after hours access card for residence halls. The campus card is accepted at over 188 POS locations, including 92 vending machines and 11 off-campus dining locations. .
Prior to the Odyssey PCS upgrade, the University of Western Ontario had CBORD's OmniAccessTM system and had basically pushed it to its limits. Margaret Eldridge, Accounting Administrator commented, “we were bursting at the seams, we could not add any more terminals whatsoever. With Odyssey PCS we were able to add so much more and look at future web capabilities, as we were ready. That is one of the reasons we chose CBORD over 18 years ago, they have grown with us, and are always able to accommodate our needs. UWO Students & Faculty love the convenience, flexibility and number of menu choices available in their residence meal plan.
Besides the wide selection offered in the residence dining halls, the UWO plan recognizes that residents sometimes like to order in home delivery, or enjoy a meal on or off campus with their friends. With Odyssey PCS, students are able to use their meal cards to purchase meals at a number of local establishments as well as in the franchise/snack bar operations on the main campus.
The University of Western Ontario continues to pursue additional campus card offerings for their students, including future plans to add additional off-campus merchants such as pharmacies and taxi services.
