Incoming freshmen will be issued an updated AllCampus card that will minimize the number of cards students need to carry.
Michael Smith, the AllCampus network office manager, said the new cards would increase flexibility.
“The new cards will have a magnetic strip, which will serve the same purpose as the strip on the current cards,” Smith said. “This strip is used for the AllCampus account, Board Bucks and meal plans. There will also be another strip on the new cards, which will be used for the WolfCopy account.”
Smith said the cards would also change the way campus buildings are accessed.
“The new cards will also have a piece of technology in them which will allow entrance into restricted areas,” Smith said. “They will have the prox. card imbedded in them, which will make entrance as easy as swiping the AllCampus card.”
Yesenia Perez Olmedo, a freshman in First Year College, said she likes the new idea, but also has reservations.
“Overall, it’s a good idea,” she said. “It’s less to carry and less to worry about losing; but at the same time, if you lose that one card, you’re pretty much screwed.”
Smith said the new card would also have additional space on it to allow for added technology. Each additional piece of technology added to the card, he said, will have to be approved by the AllCampus card committee.
“For example, there could be a program added to the cards of all the students in a certain lab that need access to an expensive microscope, therefore, making access as easy as swiping the card,” Smith said.
An expiration date will also be included on the new cards, Smith said. On the expiration date, he said, the AllCampus Card will stop working and a new one can be issued if it is determined the student has a continued need for the card.
Deirdre Deane, sophomore in mathematics education and resident advisor, said the new card is especially good for freshmen students.
“The new card is a good idea for the simple fact that it will keep everything together,” Deane said. “It will be one less thing for freshmen to keep up with.”
Smith said it would not be necessary for current students to update their card, but that the fee for replacing new cards will be increased due to the added technology. This technology, he said, would also make the cards expensive, so the University is trying to minimize costs by not reissuing cards to all current students.
“There is no need for everyone to have a new card. Your current card will work,” Smith said.