UNCW OneCard to switch to mobile application

Chamiya Campbell, News Editor
November 15, 2021

On Nov. 2, the Student Government Association met to discuss changing the OneCard system from a physical card to a mobile ID.

According to director of Auxiliary Services Gino Galutera, the changes to OneCard will replace the physical card to a mobile ID allowing faculty, staff and students to have continued full range of transactions, including dining and building access. The planned changes to OneCard would allow users to add their OneCard to existing applications such as Apple Wallet and Google Pay.

Students leave Wagoner Dining Hall. (Kaylin Damico)

Faculty, staff and students can expect to use already existing applications such as Apple Wallet and Google Pay to add the mobile OneCard to their iPhones and Android phones. This will provide a continued full range of transactions, including dining and building access.

Galutera believes switching the OneCard system to a mobile expansion will be beneficial and provide convenience. He says, “Students use mobile devices in just about every situation, and they expect that convenience in all aspects of their lives.”

Long lines at Panda Express and Chick-fil-A. (Kaylin Damico)

Galutera says there is not an exact timeline on the change of the program, although existing access to the “Transact eAccounts App can be better marketed and expanded to include more mobile credential functionality.” Faculty, staff and students can currently use the Transact eAccounts App to check the balance of accounts including Seahawk Bucks, Food Dollars, Bookstore Dollars and Aramark Dollars. They can also view account statements and past transactions. 

Students stand in line at Einstein Bros. Bagels. (Kaylin Damico)

The change to switch the OneCard system will be long-term and will require the collaboration of several campus resources and services, including Information Technology, Finance, Facilities, Auxiliary and Business Services. Further steps include hiring a new OneCard manager that would have primary ownership of the program, as well as educating the campus on these changes with effective marketing and communication. Determined to see this plan succeed, Galutera says, “With the teamwork of the greater Seahawk community, I think we can get this project accomplished.”