Missouri State University in Springfield is rolling out its new Bear Pass, a student ID card that also provides door access and debit card functionality. The purpose behind the new card is to make the campus safer while keeping a student’s information secure, according to school officials.
“Thirteen years ago, we put in our existing system. In terms of technology, that’s about three generations back,” said Kent Thomas, assistant to the MSU president.
To protect a student’s privacy, the Bear Pass keeps student information on the server rather than on the card’s magnetic stripe. The new card also sports a contactless chip used to open doors.
Card readers are being installed on 55 doors across campus now, starting with the most critical areas. The school has some 90 buildings and 400 external doors. but retrofitting the rest of the doors will have to wait until money becomes available, said a school official.
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