A scratched magnetic stripe on a Southern Miss student ID can cost $20, limiting access to dorms or meals. For many students, this price is an unexpected burden.
Students frequently swipe worn-out ID cards, aware that a replacement will cost them $20. For some, this cost is significant, especially when the only issue is a simple scratch on the magnetic stripe. A single scratch can prevent students from accessing their dorms or using dining dollars for food. The frustration grows for students who learn that if their card is lost or stolen, the replacement fee increases to $30.
Adding to the concern, Southern Miss recently released a new logo, but students will still need to pay $20 for the updated card. Another point of contention is that faculty members are not charged for replacing their ID cards.
“If there is even the tiniest scratch in the back of that card, it will stop working for students who live in dorms, and they have to come and get those replaced,” said Cass Lewis, a photo and information specialist at the Image Center.
Lewis shared that four to five students come in daily for card replacements.
“I have had my card since freshman year, and I have seen the difference it makes with how long you have it,” said sophomore Lamin Ceesay. “Sometimes, when I swipe my card, it doesn’t work. I have to swipe it two or three times just for it to work. Also, the cards are not really durable—they start to peel after a while.”
Southern Miss’s website states that student ID cards are permanent and must be reused throughout a student’s time at the university unless they purchase a new one. Many students argue that the card’s durability does not match its cost, adding to their frustration when they discover faculty do not pay for replacements.
“I do understand why students have to pay, but I think that if students should have to pay, everyone who gets an ID should have to pay,” Lewis said.
Lewis also noted that while students should be responsible for their IDs, she believes the current price is too high.
“We try everything we can to get it fixed without having students pay,” she said.
Lewis also revealed that the Southern Miss Student Government Association (SGA) is introducing a new logo for student IDs. While this could have been exciting news, students are disappointed to learn that they will still have to pay $20 for the new card.
“Soon, the Student Government Association is putting out a new logo for cards, so that might encourage students to come get cards. But our prices are not changing,” Lewis said. “Even if they decide to replace cards for the new design, it’s still going to cost them $20 if they bring us their card.”
This decision has left students questioning why the appearance is changing, but not the issue with the card’s durability.
In response to student frustrations over easily damaged ID cards and expensive replacements, several solutions have been proposed. Some suggest lowering the replacement fee to $10 or offering free replacements for damaged cards. Others advocate for producing more durable cards to prevent future problems. However, any changes to the policy would need to balance student concerns with the financial implications for the university.
