JCSU students accused of stealing funds to buy food on campus

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Johnson C. Smith University is investigating its own students after officials said some may have used stolen funds on their student flex cards to buy food on campus.

Flex cards hold money that students can use to purchase food at dining establishments on campus.

Some students received messages from the school notifying them that they were under investigation for illegally receiving funds from Red Mango and/or Burger King on campus by using their meal card.

[READ: Message sent to students regarding flex cards]

The university released a statement Thursday saying that more than 300 fraudulent transactions were made on student flex cards.

One student, who didn't want his identity revealed, told Channel that employees at the restaurants are able to illegally add money to student cards.

"People started adding on stuff for friends, girls, adding on stuff for numerous reasons. Sometimes people just didn't care and added it on just because they could," the student said.

He said some students owe hundreds, even thousands of dollars. They're being forced to pay back the money or face serious consequences.

"Seniors are trying to figure out how to get $800, $500, $1,000 now to graduate," the student told Channel 9. "In order for them to be able to graduate this Sunday, they must come up with their balance that was put on there numerous times in order for them to be a graduate at JC Smith."

The university’s director of judicial affairs has contacted every student with a questionable transaction and will meet with each of them in the coming weeks to gather information.

JCSU officials said that students who engaged in any kind of fraud will face judicial review.

The university has not said exactly how many students are involved.

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