Phone app buys food on campus
By Spencer Trotman
On March 13, 2013
Chartwells dining services has a new phone app, giving students a faster, easier way to pay for food.
The app is called Level Up and can be downloaded on any smart phone, iPhone or Android. Once
downloaded, the student registers their credit or debit card to the app. When ready to make payment,
the app presents a barcode which can be scanned at several of the dining outlets on campus and in the
Union.
"I'll tell all my friends who don't have a meal plan about this," said Haslee Cameron, a junior from
Brooklyn. "They can use it on their phones instead of using their credit cards. Sometimes they forget
their credit cards at home so they could always have lunch on their phone."
According to Marissa Dinello, marketing director for Chartwells, students are becoming more familiar
with the app as more transactions come through.
"Last week we did a marketing promotional event speaking to students and it's been catching on since,"
she said.
Buffalo State and Northeastern University are the only colleges in the country to add this system into
their school dining halls, Dinello said.
"We are a guinea pig for Level Up," Dinello said. "Buffalo State is one of the first colleges to test this."
Manny Lezama, food service director of Chartwells said he plans on being an innovator.
"I submit for all the new testing products we get offered," he said. "My goal is to put Buffalo State on
the map."
Lezama said the main reason for the app is to benefit the student and make it easier for them to pay for
food on campus.
"We're not making money from Level Up Right now. We're losing money, but its a benefit to the
students," Lezama said. "Because of the demand of the students with social media, we have to keep up
with modern technology and we have to educate."
Lezama also said the app will help speed up service and shorten lines, especially during Bengal pause.
Instead of printing each receipt, Chartwells will email it to the customer.
"Level up will maximize the time waiting in lines because of quicker transaction," Lezama said. "The
ultimate part is to levitate the transactions from the cashier. You're protecting your business because
they can no longer do cash handling. It limits the shortage of financial human error."
Level Up is the United States' leading mobile technology payment provider, according to Dinello. She
said it has over one million users.
Lezama said students can feel safe in using the app. He said if any suspicious activity occurs with the
application, he will be able to track it with security cameras and transactions that go through the system
and report it to the University Police.
"The security bridge in here is intense, I trust it," he said.
Dinello said Chartwells hopes that businesses on Elmwood Avenue will also utilize the app in the near
future so students can have more options.
Spencer Trotman can be reached by email at trotman.record@live.com.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Record News Articles
Students donate shoes, raise money for Boston bombing victims
Buffalo State's Evergreen program is teaming up with the nonprofit Herding for the Hurting in collecting donated shoes to raise money ...
Chartwells plans campus food truck
The food truck phenomenon has made its way to campus as the route, menu and name of a new Chartwells truck will be decided on by ...
USG sens motion 'no confidence'
Correction: In light of new information learned following the publishing of the original version of this story, The Record would like ...
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE RECORD NEWS
- We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
- Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
- Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
- SUNY appoints Cohen interim president
- President Podolefsky announces leave to fight cancer
- Rappers put Pepsi in a bind
- Congrats to grads: take next step with gratitude
RECENT THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Infinity Kings: Final Book In A Favorite Fantasy Series
- What You Need To Know About Keratoconus and the iLink...
- Your Child’s Tomorrow Begins Today
- Choose Beer Grown Here: Anheuser-Busch is First to Adopt...
- Helping Alleviate Children’s Anxiety
- Vitamins and Minerals: Fortifying Against Poor Oral Health
- Do you PHIT? Why A Career in Public Health Informatics...
- Do you PHIT? Why A Career in Public Health Informatics...
- Shining a Spotlight on Kidney Health: Get to Know Your...
- Phony Investment “Opportunities” Can Cost You Big, Say...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Ash Carter Exchange Showcases Innovation and National...
- AI Expo for National Competitiveness Announces Key Sponsor
- 2102: PRETENSE, THE PLAY: New Literary Novel Overlays...
- Why It's Important to Talk About Inheriting Wealth
- 100% of Latino Grads Start Trades Careers With Centro...
- Sound Solutions: How Generative AI is Enhancing Business...
- Wow Your Easter Guests With A Very Easy Spring Surprise...
- Tips to savor springtime and reflect on li...
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Captivating Reads
- Wow Your Easter Guests With Easy Spring Surprise Cake
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK
- BLUMHOUSE AND AMC THEATRES LAUNCH FIRST-EVER HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN FILM FESTIVAL
- THE GEN Z IMPERATIVE: LISTEN TO FEELINGS AND GIVE GEN Z A VOICE
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- State Department Announces 2023-2024 Fulbright Top Producing Institutions