Students on campus for the 2014-15 academic year have experienced a number of changes. A new president arrives, first years moved in and experienced the craziness of the Gustie Greeters, and all students received new ID cards.
Students are still adjusting to the new ID cards, with their access to student accounts and buildings. Unlike the old keys that allowed students to only enter the residential hall they lived in, the new student IDs allow on-campus students to access any residential hall from 8am to 11pm.
In addition to the freedom of entering any residential hall during the day, students and staff are also enjoying the new student ID cards because many of the old IDs were badly damaged.
According to staff at The Bookmark, the new cards are better for making transactions and accessing student accounts because often times ID numbers were illegible, and the student pictures were often unrecognizable.
“For security reasons, the new ID cards are great.” Assistant Book Mark Manager Erin Kuiper said.
Unlike Dining Services where it scans over a sensor, the Bookmark still needs to swipe the cards. The difference in the transaction process in the Bookmark this year is that the strips are much more likely to work, and it makes things move along faster.
“It’s better for speed and students are easier to recognize in the photos. We don’t have to punch student ID numbers in anymore either,” Bookmark Supply Buyer/Shipping and Receiving Supervisor Diane Peterson said.
“Some seniors still had their IDs from freshman year. It’s easier to read the cards now, and I haven’t had any issues swiping them yet,” Sophomore Bookmark Employee Kevin Lungay said.
According to Director of Campus Safety Carol Brewer, if the cards are damaged there are different outcomes than with the previous cards. Since the functionality is different and there is a proximity chip embedded in the card rather than a magnetic strip, the card is less likely to remain active.
To ensure that the cards are cared for correctly, The Bookmark is looking into getting cardholders for lanyards that will fully protect a student’s ID.
“It’s important that they are cared for correctly. I would not recommend the lanyards where the card slips in and the strip is exposed. They tend to break the cards. I would [use] one where the card is fully protected,” Brewer said.
One concern students may have about the new IDs is the school’s abilities to track what buildings they go into and when. Brewer assures students that the only time this information would be looked into is when someone’s safety may be threatened.
“It can be used as an investigative tool if we have a missing student. We don’t have curfews or anything so we don’t monitore anything like that. It’s a tool that we can use if students are in need of help,” Brewer said.
Campus Safety is also insistent on making sure students understand that if a card is lost, it is crucial to report it missing.
“If you lose your card, it is incredibly important to go online and report it lost immediately. It will automatically deactivate any building access. It is protecting you, your property, and your classmate’s safety,” Brewer said.
In the instance where a student needs a replacement card, they can visit dining services to get a new one printed. If it is lost on a weekend, or when Dining Services are not open, students should contact Campus Safety for a temporary replacement card.
-Haley Bell