Wittenberg OneCard: One confusing card
Christine Maddox
Issue date: 9/14/06 Section: News
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Apparently, the transition to new ID cards has been the most trying for upperclassmen. While first year students are required to use the same ID card as all other students, the WittenbergOne Card is the only Wittenberg ID these students have known. For second, third, fourth, and fifth year students, the WittenbergOne Card requires adjustments.
Schantz admits the validity of this problem. "Three-quarters of our student population has been used to a different ID card, a different refund process, a different way of receiving payroll. Change is inherent with challenges…" he says.
Senior Brian Cataldi observes, "I think [the new ID cards] are pretty good, but mostly for the freshman who will have the most time for them. As seniors, we will probably rarely use all the features the card offers."
Proctor agrees. She says, "I think that for the new class the cards are great; but for those of us used to the old IDs, it will take more time to get used to them."
Cataldi adds, "I think it's a step forward for Witt, but it might have been thought out more."
Actually, Wittenberg realized the potential early on for confusion regarding the new ID cards. Letters were sent to students' homes explaining the new card and emails have been dispersed providing links to the Wittenberg One webpage.
"We have exhausted ourselves endlessly by flooding our campus with handouts, emails, etcetera about the Wittenberg OneCard. The unfortunate part though, is that […] we still have a small majority that have either skimmed over the information, thrown it out, or just chose not to read it. I don't blame them. I know their schedules are hectic […] but the information answers just about any question that may pop up," Schantz says. He recommends visiting the EasyHelp link on the WittenbergOne website [www.WittenbergOne.com/easyhelp] which allows students to enter a question and receive an answer.
Furthermore, the Office of Student Accounts manned a table in the Student Center on Wednesday, September 6, in hopes of alleviating confusion and answering questions regarding the new ID cards.
Yet, with the persisting ID confusion, Wittenberg may have to reevaluate how to best provide answers.
Schwaigert believes that "there is not a good chance of someone actually going to [The Office of Student Accounts] and asking 'What do I or can I use this card for?' People don't go somewhere most of the time to have something […] explained to them. I mean, people hate taking their computers in."
What's the solution? Senior Kate Sprague suggests "a more detailed letter […] explaining where and how the cards can be used." Perhaps that is a good idea. Still, regardless of the amount of explanatory letters addressed to students and information tables positioned around campus, the transition to and acceptance of the Wittenberg OneCard may simply require the passage of time. As Proctor puts it, "That's just the way it is with all things that change."
Schantz admits the validity of this problem. "Three-quarters of our student population has been used to a different ID card, a different refund process, a different way of receiving payroll. Change is inherent with challenges…" he says.
Senior Brian Cataldi observes, "I think [the new ID cards] are pretty good, but mostly for the freshman who will have the most time for them. As seniors, we will probably rarely use all the features the card offers."
Proctor agrees. She says, "I think that for the new class the cards are great; but for those of us used to the old IDs, it will take more time to get used to them."
Cataldi adds, "I think it's a step forward for Witt, but it might have been thought out more."
Actually, Wittenberg realized the potential early on for confusion regarding the new ID cards. Letters were sent to students' homes explaining the new card and emails have been dispersed providing links to the Wittenberg One webpage.
"We have exhausted ourselves endlessly by flooding our campus with handouts, emails, etcetera about the Wittenberg OneCard. The unfortunate part though, is that […] we still have a small majority that have either skimmed over the information, thrown it out, or just chose not to read it. I don't blame them. I know their schedules are hectic […] but the information answers just about any question that may pop up," Schantz says. He recommends visiting the EasyHelp link on the WittenbergOne website [www.WittenbergOne.com/easyhelp] which allows students to enter a question and receive an answer.
Furthermore, the Office of Student Accounts manned a table in the Student Center on Wednesday, September 6, in hopes of alleviating confusion and answering questions regarding the new ID cards.
Yet, with the persisting ID confusion, Wittenberg may have to reevaluate how to best provide answers.
Schwaigert believes that "there is not a good chance of someone actually going to [The Office of Student Accounts] and asking 'What do I or can I use this card for?' People don't go somewhere most of the time to have something […] explained to them. I mean, people hate taking their computers in."
What's the solution? Senior Kate Sprague suggests "a more detailed letter […] explaining where and how the cards can be used." Perhaps that is a good idea. Still, regardless of the amount of explanatory letters addressed to students and information tables positioned around campus, the transition to and acceptance of the Wittenberg OneCard may simply require the passage of time. As Proctor puts it, "That's just the way it is with all things that change."
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