New York State law prohibits solicitation for credit card holders on SUNY campuses. Pursuant to New York State Education Law A76437 (Regulation by Colleges of Conduct on Campuses and Other College Property Used for Educational Purposes) advertising, marketing, or merchandising credit cards to students is not permitted on the State University of New York at Columbia-Greene Community College, except within the following guidelines:
- Credit card vendors include individual students, student groups, not-for-profit and commercial organizations soliciting student applications for credit cards. (Note: Direct mail solicitation of alumni or other non-students is not covered by this policy).
- Credit card vendors must apply with, and be authorized by, the Office of Student Activities to reserve a vending space on campus.
- Solicitation of credit cards may only occur on campus between the first day of class through the last day of class of the fall and spring terms, Monday – Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Note: Hours subject to change.)
- Vendors will be restricted to the Student Center information area only.
- Vendors are restricted to an area of their table from their vending space for purposes of handing out (or collecting) applications;
- Prior to their first visit on campus, vendors must file with the Office of Student Activities a declaration that they have read, understand, and will abide by all the policies in effect at the campus (failure to sign or follow the declaration could result in permanent barring of the vendor from campus).
- On subsequent visits, vendors must register with the Office of Student Activities at least ten (10) business days prior the day of vending, to receive proper authorization.
- No more than one credit card vendor is permitted to solicit on campus per day.
- A credit card vendor may solicit only for one type of card.
- Vendors cannot ask students to take (or fill out) an application to receive handouts or win other prizes.
- Vendors may only offer an application to an individual once.
- Vendors must show proper ID and authorization to vend upon request by College officials (failure to do so will result in the vendor being asked to leave and possibly barred from the campus).
- Vendors must be notified they may not misrepresent credit card policies, ask, or suggest that students put wrongful information on credit card applications.
- Vendors may be prohibited from collecting credit card applications.
- Credit card policies must be clearly displayed at the site of vending and copies of the credit card policies must be handed out to all individuals who accept (or complete) an application (these policies must include, but are not limited to, interest rates, teaser rates, and annual fees).
- Vendors must clearly post at the site of vending and distribute handouts on the dangers and consequences of consumer debt to all individuals who have taken (or completed) an application.