Senate discusses 'One Card,' electronic sign

At the Academic Senate meeting Wednesday main concerns were ensuring that student records and information remain private if the proposed "One Card" project is adopted and informing students about the new electronic sign on Atherton Street.

The "One Card" project would add banking and long-distance calling services to Cal State Long Beach students by use of their student identification cards. Several students and senators expressed concern that if students choose to accept the new features, the university would have to access their banking records.

Assistant Vice-President of Administration and Finance Ted Kadowaki addressed the senators and answered their questions from the previous meeting, Kadowaki said.

"The need for a new card system is basically because the old system needs new hardware and students will be able to use one card for everything," he said. "Everyone has to start a banking relationship but the banking and other services are optional."

Kadowaki presented a memorandum explaining that "if students choose to establish a banking relationship linked to their student I.D. called, the so-called "One Card," the relationship will be directly between the bank and the student without any involvement of the university. CSULB will not have access to the information on the bank portion of the magnetic stripe.

In addition, CSULB will not receive any reports from the bank detailing activity within the students' accounts.

However, the university will receive a 23 percent commission based on student use. When asked if the students will benefit from any of the profits Kadowaki responded, "the money will go to fund the program."

In other Senate business, Tom Bass, senior director of Parking and Facilities Management gave a report on the new electronic bulletin board located at the corner of Seventh Street and West Campus Drive.

Bass explained the selection method in determining which student events would be given priority for display on the board.

"The main purpose of the board is to inform drivers of traffic conditions and emergencies," he said. "The board is also intended for parking for events and to encourage drivers to use the Atherton entrances onto the campus or to ride the bus."

"When selecting student events to display on the board, the first requirement is that it has to be an A.S.-approved event. Once the event is approved the next most important factor is the off-campus component," Bass explained.

"Events that are intended to bring community members onto the campus are given top priority," he said.

He added that the Parking and Facilities Management are considering adding another marquee on Atherton within the next year.