Dawg Dollars: A new way to pay

Calling all Huskies — Dawg Dollars launched in June of 2017 and is ready for you to use on campus and at select participating locations around UW Tacoma.

Dawg Dollars works similarly to a debit card. A student’s school identification card has the functions of Dawg Dollars already set up, and once funds are loaded through the student’s Dawg Dollars online account, it can be used at participating nearby locations.

Dawg Dollars is similar to the previous experience of using a Husky card. However, with the roll-out of the Dawg Dollars program, there are some notable differences. Prior to Dawg Dollars being launched, the Husky Card allowed students to store funds in a similar way, and the program was ran by UW Seattle Housing and Food Services. Now that UW Tacoma has their own program — Dawg Dollars — students’ remaining balance on their Husky Card will not work.

“That money can be used in Seattle, but if students know they will not want to use their balance in Seattle, they can request a refund from the Seattle Husky Card office,” said Food Services Manager, Angela Zurcher.

“The purpose of the Dawg Dollars program is simply to improve the students’ dining experience and the options available to them around campus,” said Zack Hasemann, Husky Card Manager and Auxiliary Services Program Assistant. “We are excited to offer many affordable lunch and dinner options through the Dawg Dollars program.”

UW Tacoma has teamed up with surrounding restaurants and cafes to provide discounts for students who use their Dawg Dollars at the time of purchase. The use of the Husky Card can provide users with exclusive deals and up to 15 percent discount. Dawg Dollars can be used at the West Coast Grocery located in the Academic Building, as well as the Market Street Cafe located at 1717 Market Street inside the Court 17 Apartments.

The Market Street Cafe offers an exclusive deal for students who use their Dawg Dollars.

“The Market Street Café is currently offering a lunch special that includes a delicious sandwich, chips and drink for less than $6 when you use your Husky Card,” Hasemann said. “Our convenience store also offers many ‘on the go’ options that are even more affordable with the Husky Card discount.”

There are several locations surrounding UW Tacoma that have teamed up to participate in this program and to offer discounts to students. Currently, Indochine and the Tacoma Art Museum Cafe are accepting Dawg Dollars. However, in the near future students will be able to use Dawg Dollars at numerous delectable options including: Anthem Coffee and Tea, Bubbles, Cafe Amasia, Elemental Pizza, Happy Teriyaki #4, Harmon Brewing Co., Poke to the Max, Renaissance Cafe, Savor Tacoma Creperie and Subway.

“There has been a lot of interest in the program from local businesses, and we are really excited about working with some of Downtown Tacoma’s favorite restaurants and cafés,” Hassmann said.