ID makeover

Keene State College is considering a new identification card system which the college could use as early as the 2011–2012 academic year.

Laura Seraichick, chief information officer for the IT group at KSC, said the new ID system would be different from the cards currently used at the college.

“A ‘Campus Card’ [is] a concept whereby a single identification card (faculty, staff and students) is used for access to a number of services on the college campus,” Seraichick said.

Seraichick said the new system would allow students to load money onto their ‘campus card’ to use for purchasing books from the bookstore, paying for laundry and accessing various campus services like the Zorn Dining Commons or the Spaulding Gymnasium.

The cards have a variety of capabilities, but to find the ones KSC students and faculty want most, a feasibility study has to be completed to outline the cost of moving to a new system.
Andy Robinson, vice president of student affairs at KSC is sponsoring the study to be conducted beginning in March 2010 and lasting until June 30 .

“We want to find what students and faculty want most out of their cards,” Robinson said. “I’d love to have students ask friends at other schools about their IDs and what they are able to do with them.”

Most campuses have IDs to access services on campus and as a means of identification. According to the Information Technologies Department at Plymouth State University, students use an ID much like KSC’s; they can pay for laundry directly from their student ID but they don’t use their card to enter residence halls.

Robinson said he is aware of the risk of having unlimited access strictly through one card.

“If we pick a card with capability, it has to have reliability,” Robinson said.

Part of the selection process is also picking from a variety of vendors that provide IDs and software to support the needs of a school.

SmartCentric is a vendor that provides a card that can be used off campus with funds loaded from a bank account.

Another vendor, CBORD, provides a card that allows students to access dorm buildings, but can also be used for laundry and vending machines.

A few KSC students had ideas of what they would like to see out of a new ID.

Senior Samantha Gorneault said she liked the idea of having a ‘universal card’.

“I feel like it would be more efficient and easier,” Gorneault said.

Junior Jared Pierce said he thinks the simplicity of it is important.

“I think that using the ID for meals and laundry is key. I hate having to use another card for laundry because it’s just another thing to lose,” he said.

Freshman Christa McGaha said she isn’t bothered by the current system, but admitted to the advantages of change.

“I don't have a problem with the way we do it now but I think it would be a good change if we could use the cards for everything,” McGaha said.

Pierce said the idea of using the card beyond school grounds should be considered because,

“It would be a good idea if the ID could be used at other places like Dominos and other take-out [restaurants].”

Until a vendor and specifics of the card are laid out, the cost of the new card is unknown. According to Robinson, the feasibility study being conducted this year will answer those questions.

“I’m excited about the prospect of helping students and making living on campus a little more convenient for them,” Robinson said.

Tony Yates can be contacted at ayates@keeneequinox.com.