On Thursday, Feb. 20, Grand Valley State University’s Student Senate passed a bill to digitize student identification cards. The bill advocates for the University to adapt digital student IDs to streamline campus operations for students, and aims to support convenience and sustainability at GVSU.
The student ID bill was sponsored by the Senate’s Chief of Staff, Evan Jackson. According to the bill, students could theoretically display their student ID on mobile devices through near-field communication by adding their ID to their digital wallet. Passed in a unanimous 32-0 vote, the Student Senate is urging the University to look into the cost, security measures, technology partnerships and other needs to make digitization possible.
Similarly, many students at GVSU have shifted to the use of mobile payments and digital wallets for everyday use rather than using physical credit cards. This habit, in conjunction with students’ integration of technology in other daily tasks, led Student Senate to pursue a more contemporary use of IDs on campus.
“Digitizing student IDs will improve convenience, accessibility and sustainability on campus,” Jackson said. “Students already use their phones for most daily tasks and transactions, and carrying a physical ID can be an extra hassle, especially when lost or forgotten.”
Jackson said the new ID system could be as simple as allowing students to use the digital ID in campus dining halls, convenience stores, the Recreation Center and other events that require student identification. The senate hypothesizes the digital approach could even be adapted to use in on-campus housing, as well as on the Laker Line bus system.
“The bill came about after conversations with fellow students, meetings with key stakeholders like the IT Department and research into other universities implementing digital student IDs,” said Jackson.
When the bill was put up to vote in the senate’s General Assembly, many senators recognized the impact and practicality digitization offers to campus life.
“The lives of students are busy, and any way that campus can be made more convenient is something worth investing in,” said Student Senate Public Relations Chair Ty Vanlerberghe. “Evan’s bill takes an innovative approach to providing convenience by encouraging the addition of student IDs to smart wallets. Students can have one less thing to juggle when attending (sporting) events, utilizing campus recreation and accessing campus dining,”
Senator Sophie Gemmen helped to develop the senate’s press release for the bill. Gemmen said she is eager to see how the project progresses in the near future.
“I voted in favor of the bill because I believe digitizing student IDs is a fantastic initiative that I know would make my life much easier,” Gemmen said. “I am grateful for all of Evan’s work on this bill, especially when considering the number of stakeholders involved in following through with a project as intricate as this one.”
Gemmen is not alone in her excitement about the prospect. Vanlerberghe said the student body’s reaction to the legislation has been mostly positive.
“Many of my peers have reached out to me and other members of our body (the senate) to express both their gratitude for the bill, and their eagerness to see this change come to campus,” Vanlerberghe said. “I think that serves as a testament to the importance of this idea, and how it is truly centered around a topic that touches students.”
Jackson confirmed that despite the excitement, University faculty and staff still have things to consider before the bill can officially be put into action and students are able to add their ID to their digital wallets.
“Since the bill just passed, the next step is for administration to assess the feasibility of implementing digital IDs, including technical requirements and cost considerations,” Jackson said. “While there is no set timeline, students can expect updates from Student Senate as the University begins reviewing the logistics and potential rollout phases.”
