Tower Card

The little card inside the wallets of all SJSU students has more to offer then many know about.

The Tower Card, which serves as a student identification card, has its perks on and off campus.

“The card is provided free along with tuition,” said Claudia Gonzalez, a student assistant at the Bursar’s Office. “If the card is lost or stolen, a replacement is five dollars.”

With the economy in its current state and Student Union fees going up $30 every semester after this one, the Tower Card offers free access to events and facilities on campus and discounts at off-campus businesses.

Some of the perks on campus include extra hours at the library after closing time, extra library services, access to facilities and student services on campus, such as the Student Union, Event Center, Student Health Center, Admission and Records, and other frequently used student services.

The Tower Card also offers free rides on the VTA light rail and buses with the Associated Students Eco Pass sticker. The card also serves as a debit account, in which students can pre-deposit money into their account called Gold Points, which then can be used to purchase various goods and services on campus.

Pamela Tiscareno, a senior hospitality major, said she typically adds $10 to her Tower Card each semester for services.

“I use it for the light rail, the writing center and to print papers in the Clark building,” Tiscareno said.

Lao Phan, a senior advertising management major, said she has used her Tower Card for numerous services on campus.

“I think the Tower Card is convenient for students to have, because they can borrow books, videos, CDs and also print,” she said. “When I needed to print, all I had to do was add money to my card.”

Not all students know about the services that are offered with the Tower Card. A student can use the card to print out a term paper at the last minute at the A.S. Print Shop or to swim laps on a hot day at the Aquatic Center.

Students can also use the card to work out for free in the Event Center Sport Club fitness center to get into shape for spring break or to purchase summer swimwear. Another service students can benefit from is health care from the Student Health Center.

“Regularly-enrolled students pay a mandatory health service fee that entitles them to receive primary health care services at no additional cost,” said Marisa Tregrossi, an administrative assistant at the Student Health Center.

There are students who use their Tower Card to take advantage of the deals and discounts on and off campus.

Damien Tran, a junior accounting major, said he has used his Tower Card to get discounted games at the Student Union bowling alley.

“I feel that the discount reduced the price a lot,” he said. “It made me feel more comfortable playing a few extra games than I normally would.”

Tran said he is more likely to return to businesses that offer student discounts.

Darren Coelho, the assistant athletic director for ticket operations, said on-campus sporting events are always free with the Tower Card. Ashley Perreira, a senior psychology major, said she attended a Spartans football game using her Tower Card, and that she is aware that businesses offer student discounts with the card. She said she thinks it’s great.

“But for those of us who don’t spend much time in San Jose and commute to school, we don’t get to take advantage of the discounts,” said Perreira, who commutes from Fremont to SJSU.

Cherisse Toves, a junior sociology major, said she has used her Tower Card to purchase discounted tickets to play performances but has not used her card for other services.

“I think it’s more beneficial for the people who live on campus who pretty much use the services and discounts.”

There are numerous businesses that surround the university that offer all types of discounts to SJSU students with the Tower Card. Some of the businesses have advertised around campus to get the word out on their student offers, but not every deal is well publicized. From food to movies to haircuts, the card allows many perks.

Ballet San Jose, which has upcoming performances of “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” and “Song and Dance,” offers discounted tickets to students at $10. The company uses the Tower Card as student verification. The $10 price tag for students is $75 dollars less than general admission.

“It is some of the most amazing performers dancing the most amazing roles you’ll ever see,” said Debra Weber, an outreach coordinator for Ballet San Jose.

Ron Regalia, office manager of Camera Cinemas, said discounts are offered to students at all four of their locations, including the Camera 12 and Camera 3 theaters downtown.

“Since we’re only blocks away from campus, we want to bring students in to see some movies,” Regalia said.

Camera Cinemas offers discounted student movie tickets at $7.50 and a student night every Wednesday after 6:00 p.m., in which for any movie is $6 with a Tower Card.

Robin Finney, manager of Asqew Grill, said his restaurant offers discounts all day.

“Typically students don’t have a lot of money,” Finney said. “We just want to give them a hand.”

There are more than 25 businesses that offer discounts to students with the Tower Card every day, and not many students take advantage of the deals. From goods and services, to places of interest and food, there are perks, discounts and deals for any student with a Tower Card.

Rick Fleming, general manager of Flames Eatery and Bar on Fourth Street, said he offers discounts to students because they don’t have that much money to spend.

“We’re there for you. We want people to come down and have a good time,” Fleming said. “We want to make sure all of us are happy, faculty too.”

Below is a list of the perks, discounts and deals which can be found on campus and off campus. Valid with Tower Card.

On Campus Goods and Services:

• Aquatic Center, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192, (408) 924-6341, http://www.union.sjsu.edu/Aquatic_Center/aquatic_center.html. Discount: The pool is accessible for current enrolled SJSU Students. Valid with Tower Card.

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, CA, 95112, (408) 808-2000, http://www.sjlibrary.org. Discount: Extended study hours for SJSU students, study rooms, computers and printing, course reserves and more.

• Spartan Gold Points, http://www.spartanshops.com/goldpoints. Pre-deposited dollars in your individual account, which enables students to purchase various goods and services on campus. These points are accessed with your SJSU Tower Card.

• Spartan Sporting Events, various venues which include Aquatic Center, Event Center, Municipal Stadium, Spartan Stadium, Spartan Gym, Blethen Field and other venues. Discount: Free admission. Valid with Tower Card. Darren Coelho – assistant athletic director for ticket operations.

• Sport Club Fitness Center, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192, (408) 924-6368, http://www.union.sjsu.edu/ec/EC_Sport_Club/ec_sport_club.html. Discount: Free use of fitness center which includes gym, dance studio, courts and lockers. Valid with Tower Card.

• Student Health Center (408) 924-6120 http://www.sjsu.edu/studenthealth. Regularly-enrolled students pay a mandatory health service fee that entitles them to receive primary health care services at no additional cost. Valid with Tower Card. Marisa Tregrossi – administrative assistant.

• Student Union Bowling Center, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192, (408) 924-6400, http://www.union.sjsu.edu/su/Bowling_Center/bowling_center.html. Discount: $1.80 per game, $1.50 for shoe rental. Valid with Tower Card. Roger Aquino – front desk.

Restaurants

• Cafe Yolicious, 110 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 279-8867, http://www.cafeyolicious.com. Discount: every Tuesday 50 percent off on frozen yogurt. Valid with Tower Card. Raquel Tumber – manager.

• Dandelion Vegetarian Cafe, 322 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 288-6788, http://www.dandelionvegetariancafe.com. Discount: 10 percent off. Valid with Tower Card. Frankie Cheah – owner.

• Extreme Pizza, 30 E. Santa Clara St., Suite 130, San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 293-8008, http://www.extremepizza.com. Discount: 10 percent off regular items only, not valid on specials or alcohol. Valid with Tower Card. Louise Tang – general manager.

• Flames Eatery and Bar, 88 S. Fourth St., San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 971-1960, http://www.flameseatery.com. Discount: 10 percent off all day, including 10 percent off during happy hour 3 p.m.-6 p.m. M-F. Valid with Tower Card. Rickey Fleming – general manager.

• Hally K Ono, 312 S. Third St., San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 295-4010, Discount: 10 percent off for all students. Valid with Tower Card. Madeline Manaligod – owner.

• Hawaiian Drive Inn, 304 E. Santa Clara St. Suite B, San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 275-9888, Two Discounts: $1 off regular plate of fried shrimp or buy one Spam Musubi, get one free. Valid with Tower Card. Susana Li – owner.

• Hoagie Steak Out, 304 S. Third St., San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8811, http://www.hoagiesteakout.com. Discount: Hoagie Steak Out pays your taxes, which is 8.25 percent. Valid with Tower Card. Chris Lim – owner.

• Iguanas Burritozilla, 330 S. Third St. Suite A, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 271-9772, Discount: 10 percent off menu items except for the dollar menu and drinks. Valid with Tower Card. Jimmy Orozco – president.

• Laurel’s Delights, 138 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 292-5211, Discount: 10 percent off on regular menu items. Valid with Tower Card. Billie Uy – owner.

• Nha Toi, 460 E. William St., San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 294-2733, Discounts: 1) 15 percent off any regular meal; 2) pho beef soup with filet mignon for $3.95; 3) curry chicken or rotisserie chicken over rice and soup for $5.75 and more. Valid with Tower Card. Susie Bui – owner.

• Penguin Froyo, 30 E. Santa Clara St. Suite 110, San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 280-0808, http://www.penguinfroyo.com. Discount: 40 percent off with frequent buyer card combined with Tower Card. Nikita Haddad – owner.

• Pita Pit, 151 S. Second St. Suite 185, San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 694-3200, http://www.getpitas.com. Two Discounts: 50 cents for a 22 ounce soda with free refills, Hot Date Night package available on M-W: get two free movie tickets to Camera 12, two regular pitas, two drinks, two chips and two cookies for $26.98. Valid with Tower Card. Justin Houde – manager.

• Silk Road Bistro, 87 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 286-3969, Discount: 10 percent off. Valid with Tower Card. Sajid Amin – owner.

• Tandoori Oven, 150 S. First St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 292-7222, http://www.thetandoorioven.com. Four Discounts: 1) Chicken tikka masala with either rice or naan bread; 2) a chicken wrap with potato or cucumber salad; 3) spicy seek kabob wrap with either cucumber or potato salad; or 4) side vegetable of the day with dal (lentil) soup with either rice or naan – all are $5 weekdays after 3pm, weekends all day. Valid with Tower Card. Jason Fernandez – manager.

• Zanottos Family Market, 38 S. Second St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 977-1333, http://www.zanottos.com. Two Discounts: 10 percent off on any purchase over 25 dollars. 10 percent off catering. Valid with Tower Card. Serena Doneilo – shift supervisor.

Goods and Services:

• Bally’s Total Fitness, 150 S. First St. Suite 123, San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 924-0500, http://www.ballyfitness.com. Two Discounts: Half off enrollment fees for students for a 3 year membership; OR no enrollment fee $34.99 month to month basis with access to any Bally’s nationwide. Valid with Tower Card. Francisco Martinez – fitness coach.

• Cartridge Express, 115 N. Fourth St. Suite 102, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 275-8099, http://www.cartridge-express.us. Discount: 15 percent off with Tower Card and newspaper coupon which expires 3-10-09; or 10 percent off all year. Valid with Tower Card. Roberto De Silva – owner.

• Gaming Collection and Toys, 856 N. 13th St. Suite 20, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 295-GAME (4263), Discount: 10 percent off. Valid with Tower Card. Bobby Navasca – owner.

• Kamera Korner, 545 Meridian Ave. Suite E, San Jose, CA 95126, (408) 292-7468, http://www.kamerakorner.net. Discount: 20 percent off special till the end of month for SJSU photo students and then 10 percent off starting in March for photo students. Larry Santaga – owner.

• Tangerine Hair Studio, 119 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 998-0433, http://www.tangerinehairstudio.com. Discount: 10 percent off. Valid with Tower Card. Penny Park – salon coordinator.

• University Art, 456 Meridian Ave., San Jose, CA 95126, (408) 297-4707, http://www.universityart.com/sj.htm. Discount: 10 percent off. Valid with Tower Card or SJSU class syllabus. Jeff Bramschreiber – assistant manager.

Places of Interest:

• Ballet San Jose, 40 N. First St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 288-2820, http://www.student.balletsanjose.org. Discount: Performance tickets $10, regularly $85. Shows take place at San Jose Center for Performing Arts on TH – SAT 8:00 p.m. Valid with Tower Card. Register online, scan and upload, mail a copy, or register in person at their office. Debra Weber – outreach coordinator, Renae Klein – college liaison.

• Camera 12 Cinema, 201 S. Second St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 998-3300, Camera 3 Cinema, 288 S. Second St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 998-3300, http://www.cameracinemas.com. Two Discounts: $7.50 admission any day or $6 every Wednesday after 6:00 p.m. Valid with Tower Card. Ron Regalia – office manager.

• Cinequest Film Festival, movies are shown at Camera 12, California Theatre and San Jose Repertory Theatre in downtown San Jose. (408) 295-3378 (FEST), http://www.cinequest.org. Discount: Students pay $5 for movies.

• Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, 1664 Park Ave., San Jose, CA 95191, (408) 947-3636, http://www.egyptianmuseum.org. Discount: $7 admission. Valid with Tower Card. Nancy Leonard – museum and retail sales manager.

• San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S. Market St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 271-6840, http://www.sjmusart.org. Discount: $5 admission. Valid with Tower Card

• San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 367-7255, http://www.sjrep.com. Discount: Half off on all performances for any seat. Valid with Tower Card.

Dan Lu

-Contributing Writer