Bookstore Purchases Complicated by Technical Error

Credit card charges made at the Howard University Bookstore from August 16 to 23 were not processed due to a technical error.

A week before classes, the bookstore's register system was upgraded to meet credit card industry standards and provide a new online book voucher interface, but it wasn't until August 23 that the error was discovered.

This left many students unable to purchase their books for classes, since the bookstore is not taking credit card purchases until the problem has been resolved.

"I had a quiz today that I needed to study for and I went to go find my book, but I couldn't buy it," said Cameron Filer, senior economics major. "It's quite upsetting because this is Howard University and I've never heard of this happening at any other university."

Another problem, Filer said, is that students who don't bank with Bank of America may not want to pay the extra fee to use the campus ATMs.

"Howard lost a lot of money today because of that," he said. "They always complain about money; money they could have had, but they're always messing up."

Notices about the error are being distributed to customers in the bookstore and with the assistance of the Office of Communications and School of Law. 

Students who made purchases during the period of the glitch were not charged for books, but the university is in the process of reviewing transactions and charging customers for the amount of the original purchases. The charges will be reflected in future credit card statements.

While it is too early to estimate the net loss that may result, Antwan Clinton, director of University Stores and Trademark Licensing, believes that with students' cooperation, funds will be recovered from most customer transactions.

"Students and other customers have been very cooperative in helping to correct the problem," said Clinton.

Customers who voluntarily bring their receipts and credit card information to the bookstore by September 3 will be offered a $5 gift card and be entered into an iPad giveaway.

Clinton said the new system was implemented to eliminate the storage of customer credit card data and reduce the risk of customers' credit card information being compromised.

"Previously, students had to wait in line to complete a manual book voucher process," he said. "Although we had the unexpected credit card error, the new book voucher process has been a great success and made it easier and more efficient for students to purchase their books."

Students making purchases with book vouchers found the process to be smooth and efficient.

"I've had no problems with the book voucher and getting my books," said Tochi Odocha, senior physical therapy major.  "I've been able to by all my books. I just walked in, turned my paper in and it took like two seconds."

But the campus Internet outage also shut down book voucher purchases temporarily on September 1. Book voucher purchases resumed later in the afternoon.