HedgeHopper expands reach

By Marielle Schweickart     9/10/09 7:00pm

Thai food, gyros, ice cream, glasses and bicycles are just some of the discounted items students, faculty and staff can purchase with this year's HedgeHopper cards. The cards, organized by the Student Association, were distributed during the first week of classes by the college coordinators.The card offers discounts at all previously featured restaurants, including popular eateries Swirll and Niko Niko's, SA External Vice President Amber Makhani said. She also said additional businesses with more practical services such as Today's Vision and Bike Barn were added this year.

Makhani, a Martel College sophomore, said she made it her goal to expand and diversify this relatively new program, which launched in fall 2006.

To choose new businesses to include on the card, she said she relied on personal experience.

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"I tried to the think about the things I use," Makhani said. "I just love discounts."

This year's program, which expanded from 16 to 21 businesses, has grown to the point where not all businesses fit on the physical card; the additional businesses are listed at sa.rice.edu. Students can write reviews for the featured restaurants and shops on the Web site. Makhani said even more businesses will be added or their discounts updated throughout the year.

The HedgeHopper program capitalizes on Rice's impact on nearby businesses in Rice Village and greater West University. Businesses pay an annual $50 fee to be featured on the card. To receive the discount, students must present their card and Rice ID at the time of purchase.

Makhani said that some problems have arisen with the card because of a lack of communication between management and employees at a number of restaurants, especially at Amy's Ice Cream. She said this has been minimal, however, and encourages students to contact her at makhani@rice.edu if they find that the card is not being accepted by a listed restaurant or shop.

Though the HedgeHopper card provides a long list of participating businesses, many students are unaware of its benefits.

"I've never used this [card], but maybe I will now," Maggie Murphy, a Martel College senior, said.

Murphy added that she likes the card's new discounts, especially the discount at Today's Vision.

Wiess College junior Siegfried Bilstein was also impressed with the HedgeHopper's discounts.

"It helps me take all the ladies out on cheap dates," Bilstein said.

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