The Columbia purchasing card, a credit-like card designed to make Columbia's small purchases quick and easy for both purchaser and vendor, has successfully concluded a six-month pilot program. Pending a review by the internal audit division, the purchasing card is expected to become available to faculty, administrators, researchers and staff who regularly make departmental purchases beginning in July.

The purchasing card program brings a dual benefit to both Columbia and businesses in New York City. Not only does the card streamline Columbia's small purchasing procedures, making it easier for individuals to purchase inexpensive departmental supplies, but it also enables Columbia vendors to receive payment within 72 hours of a purchase, which will make doing business with small vendors more feasible. The purchasing card is a part of Columbia's overall initiative to spend more locally, thus supporting New York City's economy and neighborhood businesses.

"From all preliminary indications the purchasing card program, which has provided a subset of Columbia employees with a new level of purchasing convenience, is a success and I look forward to bringing these benefits to the greater Columbia community when the review process is completed," said Kenneth Knuckles, vice president for support services. "It is our hope that the card, which facilitates purchases over the phone and online, will also encourage people to make departmental purchases closer to home, thereby assisting the University in its efforts to contribute to the economy of New York City and our neighboring communities."

The card can be used for purchases of up to $500 per transaction. Individual departments set their own monthly limit. There are also restrictions regarding the type of purchase; the card can not be used for travel, entertainment, restaurants, services rendered or for personal use.

Administrators, faculty and staff in four University departments—The Columbia College dean's office, the pathology department at Health Sciences, purchasing and institutional real estate—have used the purchasing card over the past six months for small purchases with positive results. Card use has risen incrementally from $2,000 in the first month to $9,000 in the final month of the pilot program.

"The purchasing card has made my life much easier," said Nicole Ogden, a Columbia College financial officer, who has used her card for online, telephone and local purchases. "I can purchase what we need the day we need it."

For IRE, a department constantly purchasing supplies for off-campus building repairs and renovations, the card has helped staff save time, money and headaches. This winter when several snow blowers broke down or required repairs during the heavy snowfall, parts were scarce. IRE's wholesaler said it would be several weeks before they could obtain spare parts. But using the purchasing card, IRE staff were able to locate parts from a new retailer that were delivered in a matter of days.

"The purchasing card is another purchasing tool for employees to use when making small purchases. It is similar to EZPOs in that the departments have the authority to make purchases and we receive reporting on those purchases," said Helga Strobel, associate director for purchasing and administrator for the program. "And vendors have been very enthusiastic. Many small businesses appreciate the benefit of payment within 72 hours. The purchasing card offers a new alternative and businesses are signing up."

The purchasing card will also enable the University to better track patronage of local businesses by Columbia employees.