Nelnet Campus Commerce has announced a new partnership with GradGuard on a tuition insurance policy designed to benefit both higher education institutions and their students. Tuition reimbursement, particularly related to room and board fees, has become a hotly contested issue in recent months after early campus closures last spring forced students away from universities and out of on-campus housing.

After more than 50 years, the Datacard name is being retired from the company moniker as the company continues expansion in digital security realms. Card issuance will remain a major focus, but the new name reflects the world’s rapidly rising need for trust and security in all things digital.

Card system vendor, Transact, will host a webinar detailing a number of mobile solutions suited to helping university campuses re-open and manage the new normal. With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact higher education, universities have needed to quickly adopt new and creative practices to keep their students, faculty, and staff safe.

Arizona State University is the latest institution to turn to robot delivery from Starship, with a fleet of 40 autonomous robots being deployed on the Tempe campus. Assisting in the initiative is ASU’s food-service provider, Aramark, who has partnered with delivery robot provider Starship Technologies to provide the program to higher education institutions.

Vanderbilt University is now enabling students, faculty and staff to add their Commodore Card, the Vanderbilt student ID, to Apple Wallet for use via their iPhone and Apple Watch. Vanderbilt, a CBORD campus client, is leveraging CBORD’s GET app to add student credentials to Apple Wallet, as well as reader hardware from HID Global to support the full range of transactions across the Nashville campus.

HID Global’s new Signo line of access control readers has been awarded New Product of the Year for 2020 by Security Today magazine. Recognized in the Access Control Devices/Peripherals category, the new access reader line was chosen for features that foster an adaptable, interoperable and secure approach to access control.

Virginia Commonwealth University has installed campus vending machines stocked with personal protective equipment for its campus community to access via their student ID card. VCU now joins a host of other universities, including New Mexico State, now using campus vending machines and the campus card to dispense masks, sanitizer, gloves and other PPE items.

The University of Arkansas is leveraging its student ID card and an automated dispenser system from Cintas to issue and return student lab coats. The system is being used, in part, to create new lab procedures and practices that ensure a safe and sanitary environment for students, faculty and staff.

Ohio’s Miami University has taken the decision to go cashless for all payments on its Oxford campus this fall in an effort to limit the passing of plastic cards and cash tender between students and cashiers. Alongside card system vendor, CBORD, the university is leveraging the GET app for payment and mobile ordering, as well as its contactless campus card to create a secure, convenient and potentially healthier transaction experience.

Oklahoma State University has created its own contact tracing system that leverages the university Wi-Fi network and the student ID card. The contact tracing measures are being utilized to proactively reach out to students who may have come into contact or been exposed to individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19.