University
ID Number to Replace SSN; Informational Meetings Scheduled
The
use of Social Security numbers as the primary identification element
of NMU students, faculty and staff is being phased out and replaced
with random, computer-generated numbers called NMU identification
numbers (NMU IN).
After
review by the President’s Council, Interim President Mike
Roy approved a new
university policy for use of computer-generated numbers to serve
as the primary identification factor on all university forms, paperwork
and official records.
“The
serious threat of identity theft is the driving factor behind this
change,” said Roy .
A
Sept. 1 deadline has been set for departments to complete the conversion
from requesting Social Security numbers to NMU INs on printed and
Web forms, as an input in databases, and for any other type of operational
process. For situations that involve an NMU department working with
non-NMU persons – for example, workshops or summer camps held on
campus – identification must be recorded in some form other than
Social Security number.
Two
information sessions to discuss the conversion process will be held
from 10-11 a.m.
and from 3-4 p.m.
Tuesday, March 9, in the Huron Room of the University
Center
. All faculty and staff who have
regular contact with students for operations that currently require
use of an individual’s Social Security number should plan to attend.
“This
conversion from Social Security numbers to university IDs will force
some changes in how we interact with students and employees, but
the benefit of enhanced security to private information far outweighs
any inconvenience” said Ed
Niemi (Dean of Students),
coordinator of the information sessions. “For instance, when helping
students during advising we will now ask students for their NMU
identification number to access their transcript information and
other student information. It is important for departments to use
this period between now and the start of the fall semester to inventory
and change any processes that now include asking someone for their
Social Security number.”
According
to Felecia Flack
(AdIT), the implementation of the Banner system has made switching
from Social Security numbers to computer-generated identification
numbers an easy process.
“In
the Banner system, a student or employee’s Social Security number
is stored in a field on their record for employment or financial
aid purposes, but it is not the primary identification element and
only a handful of people on campus will have access to the areas
where those numbers appear,” Flack added.
Flack
said that departments with unusual situations for databases linked
to Social Security numbers should contact AdIT for assistance with
the conversion process.
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