Terrier Cards Not Accepted Here

Our BU Terrier ID cards are pretty damn cool. They not only scan us into our dorms and feed us in our dining halls, but will also do our laundry, check out our books from Mugar, order us a pizza from Papa John's, get us a Monster at the vending machines on campus, and pay for tickets to movies and special events. If the BU ID were a knife, it would be this one. If it were a train, it would be this one.

With this little plastic card doing so much, I have slowly, yet unintentionally, begun testing the limits to see just how much this little card can do.  To save you from embarrassment that has befallen me, I present to you three things that your BU ID will not do.

1. The BU ID will not check out books at the Boston Public Library. It is not a Library Card.

Instead, the tired and grumpy BPL employee will frown and grimly say, "And what do you suggest I do with this?"  You'll treat him like the idiot and reply that scanning it would be a good place to start. He'll reply that a library card would be an even better place.

2. The BU ID will not buy a Yuppie burger and Reeses Frappe at Uburger. It is not a Debit Card.

"Oh, I go to BU too," the friendly Uburger employee will say. Before you can ask how he knew you go to BU, he will add, "but I'll still need you to pay for your food."

3. The BU ID will not open the gates to get on the T. It is not a Charlie Card.

It is no more likely to work the second time you try. Odds will not improve when you go to the MBTA security guard and insist that you just added $10 to it the day before.


What have you tried to make your Terrier Card do?