2008 Woodie Awards
Administrators consider card system
Karin Portenkirchner, Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/14/06
Last Updated: 12/26/07
The reason this task force is so extensive is to ensure that all concerns are heard and understood, Jacob said.
Controlling access to the residence halls is only part of the picture, said Tom Johnson, vice president of business affairs.
"The college will be looking for a system that has the potential to provide a number of additional features such as supporting the food service operations, the library, student identification, vending, concessions, etc.," Johnson said.
The task force is currently contacting peer institutions about the systems they use in order to find out which features would be suitable and workable for Whitworth, Jacob said.
"We have not established a specific budget amount for this project yet," Johnson said.
The task force will develop a document that will be sent out to possible vendors who will submit their proposals, Johnson said.
"Once the proposals are received, the administration will have to establish a budget based upon the cost proposals received and the level of adoption that is desired," Johnson said.
The goal is to install the card access system for fall 2007, Jacob said.
"It might take longer, as it is a very expensive project," Jacob said.
The installation of an electronic card access system at Whitworth raises another question, namely that of the students' privacy.
In theory, Whitworth could trace every step a student takes regarding residence halls, Jacob said.
"But we have bigger problems than finding out where you are going. We would only access this information in case of pranks or crimes," Jacob said.
Whitworth is in general reactive, Jacob said.
"It's the same with facebook: We don't go through it and search for violations, but we will react if someone reports something to us," Jacob said.
Controlling access to the residence halls is only part of the picture, said Tom Johnson, vice president of business affairs.
"The college will be looking for a system that has the potential to provide a number of additional features such as supporting the food service operations, the library, student identification, vending, concessions, etc.," Johnson said.
The task force is currently contacting peer institutions about the systems they use in order to find out which features would be suitable and workable for Whitworth, Jacob said.
"We have not established a specific budget amount for this project yet," Johnson said.
The task force will develop a document that will be sent out to possible vendors who will submit their proposals, Johnson said.
"Once the proposals are received, the administration will have to establish a budget based upon the cost proposals received and the level of adoption that is desired," Johnson said.
The goal is to install the card access system for fall 2007, Jacob said.
"It might take longer, as it is a very expensive project," Jacob said.
The installation of an electronic card access system at Whitworth raises another question, namely that of the students' privacy.
In theory, Whitworth could trace every step a student takes regarding residence halls, Jacob said.
"But we have bigger problems than finding out where you are going. We would only access this information in case of pranks or crimes," Jacob said.
Whitworth is in general reactive, Jacob said.
"It's the same with facebook: We don't go through it and search for violations, but we will react if someone reports something to us," Jacob said.
For this reason, The Whitworthian asks readers to be responsible and respectful in any comments posted. The responsibility for statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not the whitworthian.com. Readers are also encouraged to report questionable comments by e-mailing editor@whitworthian.com.
Be the first to comment on this story