BY ELIZABETH BUCKNER

In print | Published September 4, 2003

While incoming first-years received a newly designed identification card featuring the Scott amphitheater and a garnet stripe, the ID cards will be issued only to entering students and are not set to replace the more than a thousand old cards currently in circulation, according to Director of Publications Jeff Lott.

In addition to their new look, the new IDs feature a magnetic strip for Dining Services and a bar code for the library. One of the practical advantages of the redesigned cards is that the bar codes are printed directly on the plastic body of the cards, rather than affixed as a sticker. This will prevent the barcodes from peeling away.

Phillip Stern, the college’s production coordinator, said that the college is becoming more aware of its graphic identity, so it is important for that identity to be strongly represented in the new ID cards.

Stern said Student Council had brought the ID cards to the attention of the administration in fall 2002. After three or four possible designs had been developed, they were sent back to Student Council for feedback.

The final design was sent for approval by Information Technology Services, the libraries, Dining Services, the Dean’s Office and Public Safety, and was agreed upon last May.

According to Lott, there are no plans to issue new ID cards to upperclassmen, faculty or staff.

“The replacement will be gradual, taking four years to issue new cards to all students and even longer for employees,” Lott said.

Lott said upperclassmen would only be issued the updated ID cards if they needed a replacement, which will cost $10.

The new IDs were produced by Blackboard, Inc., the same company responsible for the online services used in many classes. No new technology was required to print the new ID cards, which were purchased for about $1.30 each.

Stern added that the cards will be phased in over the next five years for faculty and staff as well, so that eventually everyone will use the same ID card.

The cards were not ready for new students when they arrived on Aug. 26, but they were told to go to Benjamin West later in the week to have their pictures taken.

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