The Blue Jay Discount Program is exactly what it sounds like: a discount program for Elizabethtown College students, faculty and staff. From cafes to ice cream or candy shops to studios and dining, a number of businesses located throughout Etown are participating in this program to offer year-round discounts. By showing their student ID, Blue Jays can save between ten and fifteen percent at places like Figments in Sprinkles, Lucky Ducks Bar and Grille, Knock Knock Boutique and Evo 206 Coffee Co.—all of which are within walking distance of the school’s campus. By driving a little further out, they can even get a discount at Pizzatown and Whisk Cafe, and Sloan’s Pharmacy offers free shipping to the College. A full list of participating businesses can be found on the College’s website.
The history and intention of this program can be explained by Director of Community Affairs Caroline Lavani and Assistant Director of Student Activities and Commuter Engagement Brooke Hollinger. Lavani and Hollinger are two individuals vital to this operation. Lavani was a player in a previous discount program, known as the Passport Program. She explains how there was “less effort to keep it going after COVID” and hoped to reestablish it, encouraged by the high student and faculty demand, as well as the strong community interest.
Hollinger similarly saw these trends: “I oversee commuters and OSA (Office of Student Activities) and I wanted to provide a list to students during Welcome Week, so they were aware of the businesses around us that provide discounts to encourage them to stick around Etown… I reached out to Caroline because I knew there used to be the passport program, and within a week we had prepped everything and sent out an email to the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce to have businesses submit their information. This started out with just a thought and has bloomed into something so much more!”
The process for recruiting businesses is simpler than one might imagine, as businesses want to be a part of this relationship. Lavani describes the process as, “We send them a letter and have a link to a form for them to fill out…promoting them through the Etown Chamber of Commerce.” The Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce describes themselves as “a vibrant and influential organization dedicated to promoting economic growth and fostering a strong business community” who “serves as a catalyst for connecting local businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals, facilitating meaningful partnerships and collaborations.”
Senior Director of Marketing at the Office of Marketing and Communications Austin Crull noted that “business[es] can register their interest in being a part of the program by contacting the College through the email provided on the Discount Program webpage.” In addition to this form, Hollinger explained how “we also ask if they have employment, internship or volunteer opportunities for our students. Our motto is ‘Educate for Service’, and this program helps us further that within the community.”
However, Lavani excitedly noted that they are “working on a plan to include businesses that aren’t in the commerce…wanting to expand to beyond downtown” and involve bigger chains. She specifically intends to reach out to the new Dunkin Donuts that had recently opened in Etown, and mentioned Target, aware of the popularity of these retailers among students.
While this program allows students to save some money on tight budgets, it also allows students to engage with the local community and businesses. In Hollinger’s words, “there are so many amazing businesses surrounding Elizabethtown College that want to be involved and engaged in their community. The Blue Jay Discount Program brings support to these businesses so they can keep thriving and contributing to the greater community while also providing an incentive to Elizabethtown College students, faculty, and staff.” Lavani summed it up as “basically a program that enhances our partnership with the community and retail business…a benefit for students and staff.”
