Norwalk, California's Cerritos College will be issuing a newly redesigned campus card for all students starting September 17, following a preparation and transition period during the summer months.
Cerritos' dean of student services and student senate approved the estimated $20,000 expense last year. According to a report from the college's newspaper, Talon Marks, the changeover is comprehensive and includes the installation of new hardware, cameras, printers and software.
Cerritos students will be able to use the new IDs in the campus library and learning resource center, while on the administrative side, the college will be able to monitor a student’s hours in each location respectively.
College officials say that the startup cost was the primary expense, and that the new IDs will not come at an additional cost to students. This latest investment is expected to tide the college over for five to seven years, at which point printers or other hardware may require an upgrade or replacement.
Official costs for the new IDs hasn't been release, but college officials believe the new IDs will be cost effective. The college had initially considered using the student ID for buss passes, but ultimately decided against the added functionality for now due to cost.
There will be no change in card technology, and the transition is not mandatory, as the old credentials will continue to be accepted. Despite the changeover being primarily aesthetic in nature, everyone on Cerritos' campus is expected to make the transition to the new IDs, including faculty and staff.