Dear Emma,

We too are investigating new student cards for 2008-09 entry. In the
past we have had cards with session-specific labels, updated each year
to show currency. As part of a review of preparations for online
re-enrolment we identified our re-issuing of card stickers as the one
single most time-consuming yet wasteful, and pointless, activity! It is
perfectly possible for a student to have the sticker updated (which
includes a little Brighton logo stamping exercise) and to then walk out
of the registration hall, leave the University or change course and thus
the card has no current status at all.

This year therefore we dispensed with replacing stickers for
re-enrolling students, and as soon as such students re-enrolled online
they became 'current'. We have impressed on our colleagues across the
University that the student record system is the only definitive
confirmation of a student's current enrolment status and where
colleagues do not have access to the SITS system we have provided
alternative methods of lookup. 

This has not been without it's problems. Students will regularly
'launder' their cards, such that stickers become unreadable and so they
need replacing anyway, and some outlets in Brighton accept our card for
discount purposes rather than the NUS card which is not free to the
student! Students therefore wanted replacement stickers to avoid
purchasing the NUS card itself. In addition some research students
stated that it gave them access to research libraries, although in our
experience letters of introduction are required and we have therefore
resisted the urge to return to 're-stickering' wherever possible!

This is an interim approach to looking at more robust methods for 2008,
including photo ID - which we do not currently have at all!

I would be interested in what you find out.

Best wishes,

Judy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Judy Evans
Deputy Head of Registry
University of Brighton
Cockcroft Building
Lewes Road
Brighton
BN2 4GJ

tel: 01273 642812
fax: 01273 642922

email: [log in to unmask]
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Admin-student [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Emma Williams
Sent: 05 November 2007 16:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Student Cards

Dear All

We are planning to introduce a new student card in 2008 and would be
interested to know whether other University student cards always include
an expiry date (or course end date)?  Or does anyone know of a student
card that only includes the issue date, or has no date at all?

We are concerned about the resource implications of including dates on
cards as this means that we will have to issue new cards to students who
change course/mode/etc, but appreciate that not including a date may
cause problems.

Any thoughts, suggestions and comments would be very welcome.

With best wishes
Emma

Emma Williams
Assistant Registrar
University of Wales, Lampeter
Tel: 01570 424935
Fax: 01570 424978