2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsStudent IDs to change from Social Security numbers
Cris Swaters
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
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Student security may soon be increased at Missouri State as administrative systems switch from using Social Security numbers to identify students to a set of random numbers.
"In a year, there will be no need for students to use their social security number except on federally-mandated items," Kent Thomas, project manager for the enterprise resource program, said.
As of now, the administrative systems are run by a staff located in the Plaster Student Union.
However, by July 2009, this system will be replaced by a vendor-supply program.
In a vendor-supply program, instead of everything being done by a staff on campus, a program is downloaded onto computers and the company is paid to write codes and do upkeep, Jeff Morrissey, director of computer services, said.
About 20 years ago, Social Security numbers were standard for identification use.
"The initial reason for using Social Security numbers is that 20 years ago, we needed to have a unique identifier for each student," Morrissey said. "It's so valuable with every other thing. It's important to not let that number out, so now it's not safe to use it as a unique identifier."
There are other reasons for the use of Social Security numbers as identification numbers.
"Social Security number is what we had used for years and with so many students on financial aid, using Social Security number is necessary," Thomas said. "With the identity theft threat, we are moving away from it."
This new program, in addition to making more student services accessible on the Internet, will allow for a new student identification system. Instead of the Social Security number, students will be issued an identification number with "M" as the first character, followed by eight random digits.
"It will be the same number of digits as the Social Security number because some types of software require a nine digit identifier," Thomas said.
This project is the largest technology project ever on campus. It will replace how students receive financial aid, register, receive grades and more, Morrissey said.
"In a year, there will be no need for students to use their social security number except on federally-mandated items," Kent Thomas, project manager for the enterprise resource program, said.
As of now, the administrative systems are run by a staff located in the Plaster Student Union.
However, by July 2009, this system will be replaced by a vendor-supply program.
In a vendor-supply program, instead of everything being done by a staff on campus, a program is downloaded onto computers and the company is paid to write codes and do upkeep, Jeff Morrissey, director of computer services, said.
About 20 years ago, Social Security numbers were standard for identification use.
"The initial reason for using Social Security numbers is that 20 years ago, we needed to have a unique identifier for each student," Morrissey said. "It's so valuable with every other thing. It's important to not let that number out, so now it's not safe to use it as a unique identifier."
There are other reasons for the use of Social Security numbers as identification numbers.
"Social Security number is what we had used for years and with so many students on financial aid, using Social Security number is necessary," Thomas said. "With the identity theft threat, we are moving away from it."
This new program, in addition to making more student services accessible on the Internet, will allow for a new student identification system. Instead of the Social Security number, students will be issued an identification number with "M" as the first character, followed by eight random digits.
"It will be the same number of digits as the Social Security number because some types of software require a nine digit identifier," Thomas said.
This project is the largest technology project ever on campus. It will replace how students receive financial aid, register, receive grades and more, Morrissey said.
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