The College of Charleston is the first university in South Carolina to join with Uber in a unique partnership that offers a discount to new riders while also supporting student scholarships.
As part of the arrangement between the College’s Alumni Association and Uber, all students, alumni, faculty and staff who sign up for an Uber account using the promo code “COFCALUM” will receive $20 off their first ride. For each first trip taken using the code, Uber will donate $2 to the Alumni Association’s scholarship fund. The code can be used throughout the U.S. (See below for specific instructions).
Ann Looper Pryor ’83, vice president of Alumni Affairs, initially approached the company about a possible partnership in an effort to offer students and alumni alternative forms of transportation for large-scale campus events such as A Charleston Affair.
“But in our discussions with Uber, we realized the opportunity to work together was much larger,” Pryor said. “Uber offers a terrific transportation solution for CofC students, faculty, and staff all year round. And with more than 60,000 alumni, we can promote Uber to potential new users in every major market in the U.S.”
The arrangement is also a first for Uber, said Ashley Helms, marketing manager for Uber.
“College of Charleston is indeed the first university in South Carolina who has partnered with us in an official capacity, and is also the first to tie first trips taken on a new user promo code to a direct donation made to a scholarship fund,” Helms said. “We love that by growing our ridership among the College of Charleston community we will also get to contribute to growing the Cougar family.”
In addition to the scholarship arrangement, the College’s Alumni Association is the first university affiliate to join Uber’s SC: Smart Choice coalition, which is aimed at reducing drunk driving incidents by ensuring South Carolinians have access to safe and reliable rides through Uber. The coalition was founded by Uber, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
How to use the code:
When signing up for Uber, be sure to enter the “COFCALUM” code before taking your first trip (it won’t be valid after you’ve taken a first trip). The code is not case-sensitive.
You can sign up for a new Uber account online or directly through the Uber app. To sign up online, use the following URL: https://get.uber.com/go/COFCALUM
To create your account directly through the free Uber app (available in the App Store for iPhone or in Google Play for Android), enter the promo code when prompted during the sign-up process or after you’ve created your account. In the app, tap on the menu icon in the top-left corner. Then tap on the “Promotions” section and enter the code “COFCALUM” to receive up to $20 off your first ride.
