Editorial: Invalid practice

The university has poorly communicated its ID-confiscation policy.

In short, Temple’s decision to update Owl Cards was done in good faith. The new cards were issued in time to comply with the now-temporarily derailed voter ID law, by adding an expiration date. Still, some haven’t put in the effort to receive their new IDs.

The Temple News has applauded the university — specifically the Diamond Dollars office — for its painless process of issuing the new IDs. Those who haven’t received the new cards need to do it; it’s been nearly one month since the new IDs took effect.

However, an incident last week showed a flaw in Temple’s communication process.

When students flashed their old Owl Cards in Paley Library, students were rightfully denied access. But the security guard, acting under university direction, confiscated the old IDs before turning her badge, so as to mask her identity.

If the old cards aren’t to be used, the university should have adjusted the process so that the former IDs were exchanged for the new ones. Instead of confiscating IDs at buildings — which evidently makes for an adversarial interaction — Temple should instruct guards to simply turn students and staff away, and point them toward the path of receiving a new ID. And the guards should be reminded that their identity needs to be readily available, too.

Captain Jeffrey Chapman of Campus Safety Services said Temple doesn’t want unauthorized people, such as expelled students, who possess the old IDs to have access to buildings. This argument is equally as flawed as the process itself: Students or staff who have received the new IDs may still fall under this category.

The Temple News urges the university to rethink its strategy in terms of checking Owl Cards. The current process lacks common sense, much like the voter ID law.

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