Marketing of Credit Cards to Students

Scope

Students

Policy Statement

Pursuant to the requirements of the New York State Educational Law 6437 (Art. 129-A), the following policy is adopted to promote the best interests of students who have little or no experience managing debt, credit, or any other personal finances.

  1. Prohibited Conduct. Syracuse University prohibits the advertising, marketing, or merchandising of credit cards to students on University owned, operated, or controlled property, and at any University-sponsored events without prior approval from the Office of the Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, specifically the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students or his or her designee. This prohibition applies to all banks and other commercial entities (including their third-party representatives) that engage in the on-campus marketing of credit cards to students through solicitation activities.
  2. Prior Approval. All banks and other commercial entities (including their third-party representatives) shall be required to register Office of the Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs before engaging in any solicitation activities (e.g., “tabling”) for the purpose of on-campus marketing of credit cards to students. Such activities shall be restricted to specific sites and times designated by the Office of the Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs.Upon approval and appropriate registration all banks and other commercial entities (including their third-party representatives) are required to display appropriate signage identifying the bank or other commercial entity they represent. Additionally, all banks and other commercial entities (including their third-party representatives) must verify they have registered with the University, display and make available a copy of this policy, and provide debt education materials noting the responsible use of credit cards.
  3. Conditions. All banks and other commercial entities (including their third-party representatives) are prohibited, while on campus, from collecting personal information from students specifically for credit card application purposes (including, but not limited to, completed credit card application forms and similar material), either at the time of solicitation or subsequently. Such completed application materials may be mailed or hand-delivered by students, once they have read and considered the materials and are in a position to make an informed decision, to an off-campus office of the bank or other soliciting entity.Additionally, all banks and other commercial entities (including their third-party representatives) are prohibited from offering gifts to any student in exchange for completing a credit card application.

Policy Administration

Date: June 2006
Amended: 8/20/10
Amended: 10/8/13