The new BG1 Card has brought changes to the way some students spend money at the University.

Last year with the B!G charge system, students could purchase textbooks, school supplies and clothing at the University bookstore and then pay for the items later, when their Bursar bills came.

This year, things are different.

Students must first deposit money into their BG1 account before they can make purchases at the bookstore or other locations on campus. The new system runs like a debit card.

For some students, the new system has deterred them from making purchases aside from essential textbooks and supplies.

Jessica Early, a senior in interpersonal communications, remembers having nonchalant attitude toward buying BGSU clothing and other unessential items from the University Bookstore.

“When I was a freshman I was like ‘Oh yeah! I need this sweatshirt and this and this,’ and I was like ‘Oh Mom, it’s on the bill, don’t worry about it.’ “

But this year, Early said she hasn’t purchased anything yet.

“I liked it a lot better when it just went to your bursar,” she said. “I haven’t actually put money on [The BG1 Card] yet.”

For Justin Bryson, sophomore, the new system has been an inconvenience.

“It was a lot easier last year because I could just use [the student ID] as a credit card,” he said.

Bryson said his mother used to pay for almost everything on his bursar bill, and though he thinks she’d be willing to deposit money into his BG1 account this year, he would rather not ask her to. Instead, Bryson used his personal debit card to buy his textbooks.

“I won’t impulse buy as much, I guess,” he said.

Jean Coffield, manager of BG1 Card Service Centers, said she thinks students have had a positive response to the card.

“It’s a new system, so they’re used to doing things a different way,” she said.

Coffield said students should benefit from the new card because it will help them to become more responsible with their money.

Early said she also thinks the new system will help students be more careful with their money, and therefore buy less extras like clothing at the University Bookstore.

“I don’t think they’ll be selling as much,” she said.