A new ID scanning policy was recently implemented in the Jones lobby, leaving students surprised with this new entry process. 

Confusion has arisen as a result of the lack of communication between students and administration. 

“I am not sure exactly what the purpose of the procedure is. Are we scanning for first period attendance, or are we scanning for security?” Said Rory Maxwell ‘23. “Either way, I think I would be less annoyed with the holdup that the new policy causes if I were to know the reasoning behind it.” 

But administration cleared these questions up.

“The purpose for scanning IDs is so that we are aware of who is here,” said Vice Principal Eric Mitchell. “It actually works in the students favor because if you are delayed at the security desk for whatever reason, teachers can see what time you scanned in so they know you got here before 8 o’clock. Because we submit a report to teachers so they are aware of when everyone scans in everyday.”

When security was approached about the new system, they added additional information.

“We were due for an upgrade in the technology for the system that we had. So it wasn’t a causal relationship,” said Mitchell. “The scanning of IDs was something that we had intended to do previously but now we actually have the technology to make it happen.”

Students see some consequences that come along with the new process. 

“It is clear to anyone walking down State street around 7:50am that there always seems to be a mob of students waiting to enter the school building,” said Maxwell. “It really is hard to get to class on time with double security (or attendance) measures holding everyone up.”

Some students have deemed these consequences counterproductive.

“The scanning system makes the line outside of school pretty long, which can make it hard to even get into the building some days,” said Cami Alan ‘23.

Negative effects, such as longer lines, is not the intended goal of administrators. 

“So it starts from a place of safety and accountability of some sort. This isn’t a prison. I’ve heard some of that from some other students, but this is really from a place of safety and support. Just makes things a little bit easier to be able to track down certain things,” said Mitchell.

But at the end of the day, students understand why the policy is necessary. 

“I like the scanning system because if I am running late to my first or fifth period but I’m actually in the building on time, the administration can see that,” said Alan. “I feel like it provides more security to our school because everyone has to scan in and it is clear who came into the building that day.”

Other students are disturbed by the suddenness of the change in policy. 

“Scanning IDs at the beginning of each day is a policy that, like others this year, kind of just ‘popped up’,” said Maxwell. “I think it is important to keep the school safe, but there has to be an easier, more efficient way than what is going on right now, because it is making school mornings more hectic for everyone involved.”