By Janae Willardson
The call for students to obtain new student ID cards has caused long lines, but it has brought a promise of better security and new benefits.
'We will be replacing all social security-based cards,' said Craig Schow, manager of the signature card and ID office.
Schow said using social security numbers as a public identifier is not a wise idea.
The new ID card will use a nine-digit number to identify the student.
Schow said every student already has a new number in the system and will officially switch to the new number after they replace their current BYU ID card.
'I don''t mind waiting in line for a new ID card because I really don''t like having my social security number on my ID card right now,' said Tyler Kizerian, 22, a sophomore from Yorba Linda, Calif., majoring in business.
'We are aggressively moving to the new ID cards because the university will be using the new student ID number as a public identifier starting this semester,' Schow said.
The new student number will also identify the student on class rolls instead of their social security number.
He said the greatest advantage of the new ID card is that a student''s social security number will no longer be used, which will make student information more secure.
'This change will better serve the students,' Schow said.
Benefits of the new student ID cards include a new feature on Route Y, which enables students to monitor their signature card account.
By clicking on signature card and meal plans, students can access their signature card account to check their current balance and card transactions, which will tell students where they''re spending their money on campus.
Through this system on Route Y, students will be able to put their cards on hold if lost or stolen and take off the hold, as opposed to calling the ID center.
'This gives students the ability to manage their own account,' Schow said.
Students will also be able to use their bank card to add money to their signature card online.
'I think it''s great that we can avoid everyday hassles and just take care of business for ourselves,' said Benjamin Hartsock, 21, Bartlesville Okla., with an open major.
Schow said they started with a test group of 200 people in February and March to test the new student ID card numbers.
'We have used social security numbers for 30 years. We can''t go through major changes without anticipating some challenges or problems,' Schow said.
The ID center has already replaced more than 16,000 student ID cards since the beginning of spring term, he said.
'Each student should replace their ID card as soon as possible,' Schow said.
He said those students who have not already obtained the new student ID card will be contacted through e-mail reminding them to obtain one during scheduled times.
If a student has not obtained the new ID card by the first day of Fall Semester the old BYU ID card will still function properly until it is replaced.
Students who do not have the new BYU ID card can find their new ID number on Route Y by clicking on update personal information, then clicking on identification.