Collection of short message cards

Q:

Regarding the abolition of the Gakushoku Pass service.
It seems that the Gakushoku Pass service will be discontinued, but I feel there has been insufficient explanation as to why. Please explain the rationale for discontinuing it, what advantages the app has over the Gakushoku Pass service, and why the Gakushoku Pass service cannot replace it. Also, while there are likely a small number of subscribers who do not own smartphones, it is unfair to unilaterally discontinue the Gakushoku Pass service and ask them to switch to the app without providing any alternative measures for them. I believe an explanation is needed for this as well. I look forward to your sincere response.

A:

We apologize for any inconvenience caused regarding the transition from cafeteria pass to cafeteria money

The Gakushoku Pass system was linked to a POS register (Toshiba TEC) that was used jointly not only by the University of Tokyo Co-op but also by many other university co-ops in the Tokyo area. As part of a large-scale system overhaul across the nationwide university co-op group, including the Tokyo area, the registers will also be changed, and the Gakushoku Pass system, which was only used in the Tokyo area, will be revamped and made into a smartphone app. Since the services that have been provided through the Gakushoku Pass will continue to be available even after the overhaul, we have decided to ask members to switch to Gakushoku Money. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this system switchover will cause our members

As mentioned above, the transition from Gakushoku Pass to Gakushoku Money is part of a nationwide system renewal. However, the existing functions (cashless use at the Co-op cafeteria, use limited to eating, and viewing usage history and nutrition information on the My Page) will remain the same. In the future, we plan to implement point rewards for single items, events, fairs, etc.
Furthermore, alleviating congestion at cafeterias during peak lunch hours at the University of Tokyo Co-op, particularly at Komaba, is a pressing request from members.
We believe that the increasing number of Gakushoku Pass holders and the fact that the Gakushoku Pass is limited to cafeteria menu items are also contributing to this congestion. Since the Co-op sells food items such as bento boxes and beverages not only at cafeterias but also at its stores, we hope to expand the use of the pass to include food items at the stores after the transition to Gakushoku Money, further supporting on-campus dining. By promoting the spread of use of cafeterias and stores, we hope to contribute to reducing congestion.

Finally, we would like to consult with and provide individual support to members who do not have smartphones but are currently using the Gakushoku Pass. From a
system perspective, we believe it is necessary to consider methods of use and payment other than smartphones.