Security is an important issue for almost everybody. What many students don’t realize is that they are putting their security at risk more than they know it.

Appalachian State and most of the North Carolina universities require that students use their Social Security numbers for identification purposes. What this means is that whenever the university requires proof of identification for any purpose, such as test taking, financial aid, or even roll call, students are often required to present their Social Security Numbers.

Currently, UNC-Chapel Hill is the only school in the university system that issues student identification numbers other than Social Security numbers. They have only recently adopted the alternative identification system.

The ASU Student Government Association (SGA) passed legislation on Tuesday night that calls for an alternative form of identification such as the random number system that is used at Chapel Hill. The legislation is being presented to ASU administration in order to protect students from the potential theft of identity that comes with disclosure of a Social Security number. The legislation must pass through university administrators before it is put into effect.

There is no definitive cost that comes with changing the student identification system. Co-author of the bill Student Senator Ethan Denny said, “I’ve heard anything from $500,000 to $4 million,” in reference to the cost.

The bill, which is being presented by student senators Brian Boyer, Joanna Clary and Denny, states that, “For several reasons the university should not use Social Security numbers as its primary means of identifying students. 

First, stolen or misappropriated Social Security numbers lead to thousands of (cases of) ‘theft-of identity’ or ‘credit theft’ each month. 

Secondly, any person who attains another individual’s Social Security number is capable of impersonating a person through fraudulent means.”

What this means is that a person with access to somebody else’s Social Security number can open  utility accounts in their name, obtain tax information, and gain entry into personal accounts, among other things.

Student Body Vice President Christy Barrick supports the bill. She has been a victim of identity fraud. Another student took out a student loan in her name and failed to pay it back by gaining access to her Social Security number. Situations such as this can lead to serious damage to someone’s credit file.

Denny said, “This bill is the first step that must be taken to protect students from the numerous cases of ‘theft-of-identity’ and ‘credit theft’ each month. This has been a concern voiced by a number of students, and this bill is giving student senators the chance to act.”

According to the bill, “ASU students who are cautious about displaying their Social Security numbers are penalized, in that they may not participate in certain activities.”

By penalizing students who refuse to disclose their Social Security numbers for reasons other than tax information or financial aid, ASU is committing a felony.

Section seven of the Privacy Act of 1974 states that, “It shall be unlawful for any federal, state or local government agency to deny to any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individual’s refusal to disclose his Social Security Account Number.”

The objective of the bill is not to completely eliminate the usage of Social Security numbers, since they are necessary for tax and financial aid reasons. The bill is intended to increase security for students so they won’t have to use their Social Security numbers simply for identification purposes.

SGA Director of Student Affairs Dorothy Timbs said that if the bill passes, changing the student identification system would be a lengthy and expensive process. 

According to Timbs, the change will require accessing the files of all current and former ASU students and changing their records. It took a few years for UNC-Chapel Hill to completely change its system.

Timbs also said that the change of the student identification system is “a proactive step, not a reactive one.” 

She believes that the issue needs to be faced before a situation arises in which there is a serious case of identity theft due to a person gaining access to someone else’s Social Security number.

Those that dispute the bill cite that there have never been any documented cases of a legal problem arising from the use of Social Security numbers for identification and that it is not worth the cost.

The bill is now in the hands of ASU officials who have the final say on whether it will be implemented or not.