Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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ashigc for studei By SCOTT DERKS Cashing checks can be a tough business. Gene Long, owner of Cornell Arms Pharmacy, says so. So does Howard L. Rhodes, USC treasurer. Check cashing is a part of their daily lives. So is the problem of bad checks. Rhodes says most of the checks pre just Insufficient funds and are not "bad" until they are uncollectable, until the University loses the money. That happens occasionally. Once is too often. Long, who claims he "probably cashes more checks than anyone in town," sees the business of cashing checks as a drawing card for his business. "People come here," he said and handed a petite USC coed a $20 bill, "because they can buy a pack of cigarettes, a magazine and get some money." Long figures he cashes about 600 checks a day which keeps a stream of students lined-up at his counter. "I really don't make any money directly because of the administrative costs. The bank charges me, there is a fee from Wells Fargo, I have to have additional employees...excuse me... Can I see your ID? he asked a long-haired student. "Have you got a dime?.. .cause you see I have to keep someone employed just cashing checks," Long said. Cornell Arms stays open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, handling mostly student checks -- 4,200 a week. The charge is one percent of the amount -- a percentage that can be costly on a large sum. But students must have cash and some would prefer to take the loss than suffer the suspicious scrutiny they must endure when paying by check uptown. One student recalls that a major department store recorded her driver's license number, her student ID number, her home and school addresses, her telephone number and even the registration number on her bicycle registration card. Long thinks that most merchants don't want to mess with checks because of the time it takes, the capital outlay necessary and the fear of bad checks. "I have a book here and I can tell you back 10 years about people who wrote bad checks. Its just not worth it to most mer chants to cash the checks. I cash mainly for the University but I do it for other people. You just have to know what you're doing and you have to keep records," Long said. Rhodes agrees. The 14-year USC veteran leaned back in his padded chair and explained that since the depository began keeping a list of students who had written checks that had bounced, their problems had been reduced. A framed edict of check cashing rules in the poorly lit hallway at the depository. No checks will be cashed over the counter in excess of $75.00 for any interval of 10 days. A fee of $5.00 will be charged for each check returned. After one check has been returned, no further checks will be cashed. Going To Tmhe Beach? Come On In - We've Got It All! L EVI'S - BLUE DENIM OR CORDUROY STRAIGHT LEG OR BELL DENIM JACKETS - ALL BRANDS LOW CUT BELLS, TANK TOPS OR MOST ANYTHING. MOE LEVYS CORNER LADY & ASSEMBLY CHARGE CARDS WELCOMED hecks is tough it, businesses. It is signed by Howard L. Rhodes. "We really don't go by that," Rhodes said. "If a student will come and talk to me about it, we won't stop cashing his checks. We try to be fair." Rhodes claims the depository, which is open from 9:30 to 1 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, cashes 2,000 checks a week -- half the number Cornell Arms handles. The University depository provides the cheapest check cashing service in the area, just 10 cents per check, no matter how large. But many students insist they would prefer to get their money elsewhere. The hours and rules of the depository are among the most restrictive of the establish ments that cash checks as a practice. But the most resentment seems to rise from the current fee card requirement and the attitude of some of the personnel. "If you are not currently enrolled, you are not a student," Rhodes explains. "Besides, if we didn't do that we'd have people coming in off the streets to cash checks." A senior said he does not go there because "of the way they treat you. They act like they are doing you a big favor to cash your check. Besides you have to pull out 13 IDs to get your money." Rhodes explains that he has tried to impress upon "the girls" to be nice. "But it is hard to smile all day long," Rhodes says. "It is difficult for everyone to feel good everyday. But you won't believe what some people call them. You can't hire someone and expect them to put up with that kind of obuse. "A lot of times it is the same ones that talk like that to the girls that come complaining about the way they are treated," Rhodes pointed out. Rhodes said he hopes that once the Depository is moved from the administration building in December the at mosphere of the new location will be better. The destination is still undecided, but the USC bank may relocate in the soon to be vacated business school. Rhodes has reacted to the bad check problem by making the check cashing rules more restrictive, if the rules could have been considered lenient in the first place. A major part of the depository's job is handling student/faculty checks. Rhodes himself admits that the depositity is useless as a student bank. Bad checks are a problem and just last week one man cashed seven bad checks with the University before leaving town. Long had $140 worth of checks returned last Friday -- in sufficient funds. It was an average day. "I get it back most of the time," Long said. If a student makes a habit of writing bad checks at Cornell Arms (and Long has the records to know < >Y who and how many times) he stops his service. Normally the threat of the magistrate is not needed to bring most folks around. Long lost $1,000 out of several million dollars worth of checks cashed last year. Tickets to go on sale Tickets go on sale in Myrtle Center box office, telephone 448 Heach Monday, June 19, at the 3041, and tickets may be purchased Convention Center for the South there beginning Monday. Carolina Summer Theatre Russell Green, director of production of the comedy musical theatre at the University of South "Oklahoma" Carolina, is directing the show The show opens June 26 and will here ateicntodMl run for 36 performances through HahCneto etr h ~~~ ~ Aug. 11. Curtain time is 8:30 p.m., UCsme rga ee h SMonday-Saturday except for June scn nuloe loicue 30, .July I and .July 27-29.cus feig ntete Ticket prices are $3 for adults pouto facide' aie and $1 for students. Reservations adpeetto fsui Long may bermadetaththeConventioniproductions MNthuTsecn annul2on,aloicue may bmad oat lue Rovnibon rafutith. c CLAM BEER T~N~ 2005 Green Street In Five onts