Anne Virginia KoeppREPORTER

All students at SDSU get an ID card upon enrollment. This card allows access to a meal plan, laundry, printing, campus events and hobo dough.

The university website says “Hobo Dough is a prepaid stored value fund on your Student ID. Loaded funds are spent debt style allowing you to simply swipe and go. There are no fees to start or maintain a Hobo Dough account, simply add funds.”

Students are able to deposit money onto their ID card for convenience at Card Services in the Student Union, load stations at Briggs Library or Larson Commons and online at hobodough.com.

Card Services now lists the businesses around Brookings that take Hobo Dough to include: Arby’s, Backyard BBQ, Bagel Works, Bozied Gas Stop, Burger King, Cinema5, Culver’s, Dairy Queen, Perkins, Pizza Ranch, Qdoba, Subway in Village Square, Taco Johns and Z’Kota Grille.

Student ID cards are not only used for storing Hobo Dough. They allow students to receive discounts around town as well.

“We started to initiate the club in the fall of last year,” said Eric Haiar, state and local government chair for the Students’ Association.

SA contacted businesses around town while some businesses came directly to SA. Each year, different businesses around Brookings offer discounts to current students when they show their SDSU ID card.

“We started the club because students were interested in starting a program like this,” Haiar said.

Some of the discounts require that students use Hobo Dough for payment.

“It’s awesome that businesses are showing their support for SDSU students by sponsoring this type of program,” said Thijs Hammink, 22, EET Major. “I like free stuff and it is easy to add Hobo Dough.”

Hammink said he has used his card for various discounts including his favorite at Qdoba.

“Last year I could get a free order of chips. This year I can get a free drink.”

Other students find the discount club a fun and easy reason to get off campus.

“I’m glad I can use my ID card at local businesses,” said Michele Story, an early childhood education major from Sioux Falls. “It gives students a stronger tie to the community and gives them an option to use their ID card for more than just school stuff.”

Story’s favorite discount last year was getting $1 off the buffet at Pizza Ranch. She said she is looking forward to the new discounts this year.

“It is a great way to bond the city with the university,” Haiar said.

Discounts offered to SDSU students

The following local businesses provide discounts for all card bearing SDSU students. The SDSU Discount Club has a Facebook page too. Discounts change every year. Look for updates and new promotions.

A to Z Used Furniture and Appliances – $10 off over $59.00

Bartling’s Shoes – 30% Discount

Brookings Barbershop – $1 Off Haircuts

Dakota Compounding Pharmacy – 10% off any supplement

Fergens Clothing & Shoes – 20% off any regular priced items (certain brands excluded)

Looks by Leah – 15% off

Mary Kay: Rina H. Reynolds – 605-695-7378, 10% discount with ID

Mix Dry Cleaners – 10% Off An Order (excludes leather and alterations)

Papa Murphy’s – $3.00 off any Family Size pizza

Party Depot – 15% Off Everything (excludes costumes and accessories)

Pro Lube – 10% off Oil Changes

Qdoba Mexican Grill – Free 22oz drink with the purchase of an entrée using hobo dough as payment.

Quiznos – Free cookie with ID

Riddles Jewelry – 5% Off

Ritz Hair Studio & Whole Body Retreat – Purchase all 3: Haircut, Highlight, Brow wax and save $10.

Snap Fitness – $29.95 month to month/ no contract

Sports Connection – 20% Off Regular Shoes and Clothes (some exceptions apply)

Sun Dried Tomato Pizzeria – 5% off

Trendz – Spend $15 or more and get 15% discount

#1.1654828:3696936036.jpg:SDSU ID cards hold more than Hobo Dough.:SDSU ID cards hold more than Hobo Dough.:Collegian Photo by Aaron Stoneberger