Magnetic Strip Wear and Tear Causes ID Failures for First Time

It's been taking a few more swipes than usual for some undergrads to get into their dorms.

A defect in some of the magnetic strips on the backs of Harvard identification cards has caused the strips to chip off, rendering the cards unusable for access into dorms or for swiping into meals.

"It had been flaking off for a while but I figured it was just wear and tear, said Miriam R. Asnes '02. "But then one day I just couldn't get into my building."

"Only swiping things don't work," she added. "You can still use the ids at at a library because they scan the barcode."

According to David Wamback, practice manager of ID, data and PIN services for the University, the problem has been traced to a faulty machine that the manufacturer uses to apply the magnetic stripes to the cards. He said this is the first year the problem has occurred.

"This year our manufacturer slipped up," Wamback said. "Some of the magstripes are flaking to one degree or another, making them unreadable upon extensive use. We are not pleased."

The Harvard Card is made of the same materials as a bank ATM card. As a result, the long-term wear and tear that the Harvard cards undergo leads the Harvard Office of Identification and Data Services to reissue some cards every year.

According to Wamback., a minority of students have reported problems with their card. He said the problem is easily remedied by issuing a new card to students at no additional cost.

Nevertheless, Wamback said students should take a close look at the magstripe. If magstripe flaking is evident in any area other than the top and bottom edges, students should bring the card in for replacement.

"Although the problem to date has not been an extensive one, we certainly don't wish to see a single student inconvenienced and we'll do all in our power to make students' visits in this office both pleasant and brief," he said.

Students say they have had an easy time obtaining new cards.

"They were really nice when I went to get a new card," Asnes said.

On the bright side, Wamback said some students whose cards have been affected by the problem have used the opportunity to have a new picture taken for their Harvard IDs.

"The total process without a new image takes less than a minute and with a new image, under three minutes," said Wamback.