Bank excursion needs checks and balances
by Chris Taylor, editor-in-chief

    After a trip to the bank, I have come to the conclusion that checks from TCC must not be any good.

   First, I have to explain. I don’t trust banks; therefore, I don’t have a bank account. When I get my five-figure check from TCC (five figures includes the cents), I cash it at the local Bank One.

   A trip to the bank is an excruciatingly painful experience. First, I am treated as cattle being herded between the nylon ropes to reach my destination.

   When I finally get to a teller, there is apparently some translation error.

   I say, “Hi, I’d like to cash this check. I’m not an account holder, but the college has an account here.”

   From the teller’s response, she appears to hear, “Hi, I’d like to cash this check, and I’m a child molester with leprosy.”

   That statement pretty much defines how I am treated from that point forward. Then, I’m charged a $3 fee to cash a check from the college, which already pays the bank for such a service.

   My most recent trip was the worst by far. I found out that if you are not an account holder, the college’s checks are no good at the drive-thru if over $100.

   Yes, I was surprised too. Banks must be having a very difficult time in the economy if my $100 check is going to close the place down.

   The other strange part is that somehow in the 15-foot distance from the inside counter to the drive-thru, my check’s value actually drops to nothing.

   If they are that concerned about fraud, what changes from being inside?

   I just hope that the board of trustees knows that this is the type of service they are agreeing to when they vote to allow Bank One to provide banking services for the college.

   Also, I would like to challenge the chancellor and board members to go to a Bank One and try to cash a check from the college exactly in the scenario that I have to play out twice a month.

   Maybe, they would not be so pleased to see their employees treated in such a manner.

   The board might also like to know that Bank One isn’t required to cash checks for non-account holders, anyway.

   So if you’re not an account holder, that makes TCC’s checks worthless.