Effective Oct. 12, Carmichael Complex will require all students, staff and faculty to have a valid All-Campus card to enter the facilities.
The policy change is being implemented after an increase in abuse of the number system.
“The abuse is not indicative of one user group, but it needs to be addressed,” Matt Miller, the director of Carmichael Complex, said.
According to Miller, returning to the All-Campus card system has many benefits.
“It is a matter of protecting the privilege, safety and efficiency of the facilities,” he said. “First, a goal is to preserve the privilege of those who are paying for the facilities through various fees.”
“It is difficult to get someone to stop after they say the number,” said Geetha Janardhana, a graduate student in computer science and an employee at Carmichael Gymnasium. “After they give you the number, they keep walking and get lost in the crowd. With ID cards, I know they are allowed to use the equipment.”
Before the number system was implemented in 2008, if there was an injury or alarm, Carmichael staff could check the ID of the persons involved. By forcing the All-Campus cards to be used, safety will increase, Miller said.
“It is not as cut-and-dry as looking at a picture,” he said. “People are letting others in through unauthorized doors, some people are seniors and still have their picture from freshman year, some people do not have pictures and [the] system crashes, are all issues that lead to decreased safety. Our intention is to get back to where we are confident with who is in the building and that they are supposed to be there. It will also make entry into the Complex faster by eliminating communication.”
“Having the cards makes it a lot easier for the staff,” Janardhana said. “Because of the crowds and the system, it will be faster.”
Students will have one free pass into the Complex throughout the semester, Miller said.
“There will be a procedure for students who forget their ID so we can let them into the facility once without their ID, and we will not turn people away if you have a class,” he said.
Although the Carmichael staff is excited about the change in policy, some students, including Mark Nguyen, a senior in civil engineering, are not in favor of the switch.
“I do not like that they are switching the policy back,” Nguyen said. “With the crowds and time crunch between classes it will be more inconvenient for students who have to find their ID.”
Miller said there were other implications to keep in mind as there is a University policy to uphold.
According to the University policy on campus security and personal identification, all N.C. State University employees and students are required to carry their All-Campus card with them at all times in University owned or leased buildings or facilities.
