Freshman ID glitch affects 40 students
by JESSICA NEEDLES
Imagine being refused entrance to the dining halls because workers there claim you have already eaten four times in one day.
This has been a problem for some Notre Dame first-year students, following several mix-ups with their University identification cards.
The students are experiencing problems because of a printer malfunction that occurred while the cards were being made, according to officials.
As the cards were being printed, computer software temporarily went off line. During this time, some of the information about students contained on the cards became confused. As a result, the magnetic strips and pictures on some of the cards did not match one another. A student may have a card with his name and picture on it, but a magnetic strip registered to someone else.
This has caused some students to have problems using their identification cards for dining. For example, a freshman signed up for one meal plan cannot use the program if he has an identification card with the magnetic strip of a student on a different meal plan.
A student might also have trouble with Domer Dollars because of the mix-up. If one person uses his card to purchase something, it may be another's account getting money deducted.
However, the confusion with the identification problems is not widespread. According to Jim Herder, business and facilities manager, fewer than 40 students were affected.
Most of the freshmen ID problems have apparently been fixed, he said.
"I would doubt that there are still any problems out there, but there's no way of knowing until a person has a problem," Herder said.
Prompted in part by this year's problems, the card-making process will change next fall.
"Before the card is handed to anyone, they'll be checked, verified on the screen and visually matched up," he said.
Right now, students are also encouraged to check monthly emails they receive containing current Domer Dollar balances. Any inconsistencies discovered will be reimbursed. Those still having difficulties should go to the Card Services Office in the basement of the South Dining Hall to have a new ID card printed.
All News Stories for Monday, September 4, 2000
