PSU Gets New ID Cards

In June 2013 Student Life and Residential Life of Plymouth State University unveiled a brand new student ID system along with a sleek new vertical design. Freshman, transfers, and new faculty that month were the first recipients of these new IDs. However, the many students and faculty already attending PSU were left with the original.

Randy Szabadics of Student Life says that the one key difference in the new system is the security feature. "With the old ID system any student with the right printer could copy another student's ID simply by messing with different combinations of the last two digits in the security code. The new IDs have a 16-digit code and make it impossible to copy." The new IDs also come with an expiration date and computer chip in addition to each student's individual student ID number, padding out the new and innovative security system.

But what becomes of the old IDs? As of Friday, April 4^th all former ID models will be deactivated. Students are encouraged to schedule a time between 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the date listed in the Hartman Union Building Print Shop according to last name, with the last group (Group 15, Summers - Zumbach) scheduled for Friday, March 14^th. The reasoning behind the alphabetical order, Szabadics explains, is to prevent any last second frenzy with the 3500+ students and faculty still in need of replacements.

Many students are expressing dissatisfaction with the new system, however, as replacements for the new IDs are costing upwards of $25 dollars, while old IDs are being replaced for free. "It seems like they're just charging for everything now," said Dallas Smith, a sophomore. "With parking tickets, books, various things for classes like Netflix accounts, they're just adding one more thing to the list." Sadly, seniors, who only have a few weeks left in their college careers, will still be required to pay the replacement fees.

And lowering the cost is not an option according to Szabadics. "The old cards used to only cost 50 cents to produce, now with the new cards we're spending five dollars more." Despite the current complications, there does appear to be a silver lining. "With the new cards," Szabadics continues, "we're hoping they'll be able to last twice as long when we introduce the tap card feature."

This new feature will allow key card access to buildings, concession, and various other PSU events. The process will work by placing the new card up to an electronic reader which will then scan the security chip inside the card. This new feature could mean an end to building keys, and perhaps even room keys, as well as significantly bringing down the percentage of wear and tear on the cards.

Another exciting feature in the works is to implement the use of FlexCash at downtown locations. With this, students would be able to go to local shops such as Biederman's and pay using their IDs. Word is still out on whether the campus discount of 11 percent would apply.

Finally, students planning on attending Spring Fling will not be permitted without the new ID.

Students will need to exchange their PSU ID currently in their possession for a new Panther Pass ID. Students will also need to provide photo identification in order to receive their new ID. To acquire a new ID visit the Hartman Union's Printshop/ID Center.