Roll Out Of New ID Cards Announced

8-8-97
University Park, Pa. -- Get ready to break out your best cheesy grin -- Penn State's new photo ID cards are coming soon.

Photo appointments for Penn State faculty, staff and students at all locations will be scheduled throughout the academic year, beginning this fall. The new cards, produced on campus via digital imaging system, will offer a host of additional "smart card" service options including banking, stored value and long-distance calling, in addition to library and meal service and residence hall security.

"Penn State is negotiating a contract with a local financial institution," said Tom Gibson, assistant vice president for auxiliary services and chairman of the University ID committee. Gibson says that included in the many features, card holders may eventually access their personal financial account using their ID card.

The new ID cards will use 16-digit identification numbers instead of Social Security numbers. For students, the card could put an end to lines at the bursar's office. University grants and loans could automatically be applied to ID card accounts. Faculty and staff could deposit their paychecks and use their ID as a debit card.

Downtown businesses will be participating along with laundry, vending and copy services on campus. Eventually, Centre Area Transportation bus fares and parking gates could be included.

The University ID committee has had wide representation including Penn State's Office of Business Services, University Libraries, Intercollegiate Athletics, University Safety, faculty and student groups. The committee will be making a series of presentations to interested groups on campus this fall.

Throughout fall and spring semester faculty, staff and student photos will be captured. A pilot program to test the smart card "chip" will start this fall in residence hall laundries. Faculty and staff at all Penn State locations can expect to receive their cards later in the spring, after program testing and development is completed.

Information on scheduling photo appointments will be announced through Intercom. For more information, contact Joel Weidner at (814) 863-4494.

**kiw**

Contact: Karen I. Wagner (814) 865-7517 (office) (814) 867-0797 (home) kiw1@psu.edu