When a student writes his or her Social Security number, that information might be used for purposes other than grading and identification. If the information makes it into the wrong hands, it could become a case of identity theft.
Kim Papandrea (junior-film and video), a student concerned about identity theft, wants to limit the use of students' Social Security numbers by Penn State.
"It's a joke how easy it is to get Social Security numbers here," she said.
She recalled turning over a handout in class printed on recycled computer paper and discovering a student inquiry report on the back with information including the student's Social Security number.
"You're putting your name on a document that doesn't get disposed of properly," she said.
J. James Wager, university registrar, said faculty and staff often use students' Social Security numbers to gain authorized, legitimate information.
Papandrea said the use of the numbers is often done only for convenience when other methods would be just as effective. She said some professors use Social Security numbers to access student information because that is faster than it would be to search through a list of students with identical last names on a database.
Although instructors have asked her for her Social Security number in class, Wager later told Papandrea that university guidelines did not permit such a practice.
Papandrea said Administrative Policy AD11, which regulates confidentiality of student records, is vague.
Papandrea and Academic Assembly President Paul Ricciardi are in the process of constructing a list of advice to give students concerning their Social Security numbers.
She has been meeting with Wager and Ricciardi since October to prevent what she considers unnecessary use of Social Security numbers.
Papandrea, Ricciardi and Wager plan to meet with Penn State's Administrative Council for Undergraduate Education in March. At the meeting, they will present a council of deans with their research, Ricciardi said.
"Unless students see that this is a big problem, things aren't going to change," Papandrea said.
