Spring Break
Students not W00ed yet with new numbers
Eric Hotchkiss
Issue date: 9/8/05 Section: Student Life
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The fall semester has brought about some changes in student life, including the introduction of new student ID numbers. Previously the University used each student's social security number, which has become an increasing risk. In 2003 alone, over 9 million people in the U.S. had their identity stolen, and thousands more don't even know they were hit.
Dr. Farren said that the switch was implemented because of "concern over the use of social security numbers, and being able to keep those numbers secure. We felt it was time." Some professors were known to list grades for a class based on the social security number, one of many practices that worried administrators. Under the new system, a new SID number is generated upon enrollment - existing students have been switched over automatically. The prefix for this number is "W00", which has prompted the phrase "Woo number" around campus.
The "W" at the beginning of the number stands for Western. Jan Jahimiak, IT staff member, helped implement the system, and she says they use a table of pre-selected numbers, and as students enroll, they are assigned their number in a sequential order. Does this measure really improve security? Jan feels it does: "Absolutely, the social security numbers don't show up anymore on paperwork. When you used to get a statement, the social security numbers would be right on it."
On August 8th of this year, Sonoma State University announced that personal information of more than 61,000 students who applied or attended the university between 1995 and 2002 were accessed during a July hacker attack. Just over a week after that, California State University experienced a security breach as well. The chancellor's office notified 154 people, mostly students who receive financial aid, that their social security number and other personal information might have been revealed during a computer breach. Such incidences are a reminder of the vulnerability of many college campuses.
In most departments around campus (business office, campus police), the social security number can still be used to access accounts. That number gets automatically changed into the new number upon entry, so both numbers work. The difference is that the social security number is no longer printed on statements or receipts, greatly reducing the security risk. Are students embracing the new numbers? I spoke with campus police and the business office, and they both agreed that the vast majority of students still use their social to access their accounts and they aren't trying to push students to learn the new number in any way.
Student ID cards can be picked up at the Camus Police office. The card is used to access various areas of the campus, including the computer lab, ant it can also be used around town for discounts in businesses such as the Real West Theater and The Grinder Mill. After paying for all those new textbooks, a discount is a welcome sight.
Dr. Farren said that the switch was implemented because of "concern over the use of social security numbers, and being able to keep those numbers secure. We felt it was time." Some professors were known to list grades for a class based on the social security number, one of many practices that worried administrators. Under the new system, a new SID number is generated upon enrollment - existing students have been switched over automatically. The prefix for this number is "W00", which has prompted the phrase "Woo number" around campus.
The "W" at the beginning of the number stands for Western. Jan Jahimiak, IT staff member, helped implement the system, and she says they use a table of pre-selected numbers, and as students enroll, they are assigned their number in a sequential order. Does this measure really improve security? Jan feels it does: "Absolutely, the social security numbers don't show up anymore on paperwork. When you used to get a statement, the social security numbers would be right on it."
On August 8th of this year, Sonoma State University announced that personal information of more than 61,000 students who applied or attended the university between 1995 and 2002 were accessed during a July hacker attack. Just over a week after that, California State University experienced a security breach as well. The chancellor's office notified 154 people, mostly students who receive financial aid, that their social security number and other personal information might have been revealed during a computer breach. Such incidences are a reminder of the vulnerability of many college campuses.
In most departments around campus (business office, campus police), the social security number can still be used to access accounts. That number gets automatically changed into the new number upon entry, so both numbers work. The difference is that the social security number is no longer printed on statements or receipts, greatly reducing the security risk. Are students embracing the new numbers? I spoke with campus police and the business office, and they both agreed that the vast majority of students still use their social to access their accounts and they aren't trying to push students to learn the new number in any way.
Student ID cards can be picked up at the Camus Police office. The card is used to access various areas of the campus, including the computer lab, ant it can also be used around town for discounts in businesses such as the Real West Theater and The Grinder Mill. After paying for all those new textbooks, a discount is a welcome sight.
