In a move reflecting broader trends in cashless payments, the University of St. Gallen (HSG) has announced that its main campus cafeteria, known as the Mampf, will no longer accept cash payments starting in the fall semester of 2024. The decision, confirmed by university officials, applies specifically to the HSG-operated dining facility, while cash remains accepted at other campus food outlets, including those at the Ostschweiz Fachhochschule (FHO) and certain HSG-affiliated locations.
The shift aims to streamline operations, reduce handling costs, and improve transaction speed during peak hours. University administrators cited student feedback and internal audits showing a steady decline in cash usage over recent years, with electronic payments now accounting for over 85% of transactions at the Mampf. The change aligns with similar initiatives at universities across Switzerland and Europe, where contactless and card-based payments have become the norm in campus dining.
Students and staff will be able to pay using debit or credit cards, mobile payment apps such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, or the university’s prepaid campus card, which can be topped up online or at designated kiosks. The university emphasized that no student will be excluded due to payment method, noting that campus cards can be obtained without a bank account and loaded with cash at select locations if needed.
While the Mampf’s cashless policy marks a notable change, it does not reflect a university-wide ban on cash. Officials clarified that other dining venues, including the FHO cafeteria and select student-run cafes, continue to accept both cash and electronic payments. This distinction has been important for students who rely on cash for budgeting or who prefer not to use digital payment methods.
The decision follows a pilot program conducted during the spring 2024 semester, during which the Mampf operated on a cashless basis for two weeks to assess user response and system reliability. Feedback from that trial indicated high satisfaction among users regarding speed and convenience, though some raised concerns about accessibility for international students or those without immediate access to banking services.
To address these concerns, the university has partnered with its student services office to provide guidance on obtaining campus cards and setting up mobile payment options. Information sessions were held in September 2024, and multilingual guides are available online through the HSG student portal. The university also noted that its financial aid office can assist students facing barriers to adopting electronic payments.
Industry experts note that the HSG’s move mirrors broader shifts in institutional dining, where efficiency and hygiene considerations have accelerated the adoption of cashless systems. A 2023 study by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich found that over 60% of university cafeterias in German-speaking Switzerland had either eliminated or significantly reduced cash acceptance since 2020, citing reduced labor costs and improved accounting transparency as key drivers.
As cashless payments continue to grow in prevalence across retail and hospitality sectors, educational institutions are increasingly evaluating the role of physical currency in campus life. For now, the HSG maintains a hybrid approach, balancing modernization with accessibility by preserving cash options where feasible while advancing digital infrastructure in high-traffic areas like the Mampf.
Students seeking updates on payment policies at HSG dining facilities are encouraged to consult the university’s official dining services webpage or contact the student affairs office directly. The next review of campus payment methods is scheduled for early 2025, following the winter semester, when usage data from the cashless Mampf will be fully analyzed.
If you’ve experienced the shift to cashless dining on campus or have thoughts on how universities should balance innovation with inclusion, we invite you to share your perspective in the comments below. Sense free to share this article with fellow students, faculty, or anyone interested in the evolving landscape of student life and financial technology.