2008 Woodie Awards
Change for the better
Karyn Gilbert
Issue date: 11/18/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Delta College is changing student identification numbers from Social Security numbers to a student I.D. that is chosen for them.
The Delta Information Service chose to enact the change of indentification number after a few incidents occurred last semester, such as a roster that contained student information being stolen from an instructor's home. "We had been set to go in the spring of 2006, in March," said Catherine Mooney director of registration. "This is the biggest project that has ever been undertaken in the computer system."
But Information Services saw how big the project was going to be, so they began the project by breaking it down bit my bit.
"Watching it was like launching a space shuttle," Mooney said. "It was beautiful they way it was laid out."
Social Security numbers had been the main way to I.D. students, but was also used for the staff and payroll.
Students can access their new I.D. number by logging in to online registration and printing out their schedule.
"My vision is for the students to always (be able to) access (their information) by Social Security number, because 20 years from now if they want to (reenter) they may not remember the student id," Mooney said.
"It's better and it doesn't take much time to remember a new number," said Delta student Simon Onesavanh. "It's just for their (the students') own safety."
"I think it's stupid, and I honestly don't think it's a good idea, but if it's to protect my identity, then I don't have any complaint about it," said Delta student Michelle Vasquez.
"I don't like it, because I already know my Social Security number and now I have to remember a new number," said Delta student Lindsey Hernandez.
If students fear they will forget the number, the college will have bookmarks in Administration and Records, theCounseling Office, the e-service lab, the bookstore, and other places. Later the school would like to give out cards that students can place in their wallets.
The Delta Information Service chose to enact the change of indentification number after a few incidents occurred last semester, such as a roster that contained student information being stolen from an instructor's home. "We had been set to go in the spring of 2006, in March," said Catherine Mooney director of registration. "This is the biggest project that has ever been undertaken in the computer system."
But Information Services saw how big the project was going to be, so they began the project by breaking it down bit my bit.
"Watching it was like launching a space shuttle," Mooney said. "It was beautiful they way it was laid out."
Social Security numbers had been the main way to I.D. students, but was also used for the staff and payroll.
Students can access their new I.D. number by logging in to online registration and printing out their schedule.
"My vision is for the students to always (be able to) access (their information) by Social Security number, because 20 years from now if they want to (reenter) they may not remember the student id," Mooney said.
"It's better and it doesn't take much time to remember a new number," said Delta student Simon Onesavanh. "It's just for their (the students') own safety."
"I think it's stupid, and I honestly don't think it's a good idea, but if it's to protect my identity, then I don't have any complaint about it," said Delta student Michelle Vasquez.
"I don't like it, because I already know my Social Security number and now I have to remember a new number," said Delta student Lindsey Hernandez.
If students fear they will forget the number, the college will have bookmarks in Administration and Records, theCounseling Office, the e-service lab, the bookstore, and other places. Later the school would like to give out cards that students can place in their wallets.