On-campus fitness facility patrons found a new policy awaiting them in the weight rooms of the White and Intramural buildings and Rec Hall last Monday.

Previously, weight room employees swiped ID cards and then placed them on a wall until students were ready to leave the building.

The new policy states that ID cards are to be swiped and returned to the customer. Patrons must then remember to sign out when they leave the facility.

Chip Harrison, head strength coach, said the change in policy is not a result of any specific incident but rather a way to protect students.

"Potential for identity theft has become enough of an issue around the university to change the policy," Harrison said.

Student reaction thus far has been mixed.

"I didn't think there was a problem before. Now I forget to sign out," Jenna Dodds (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said.

Cait Kaminski (sophomore-finance) also said she does not like the changes.

"I think it's inefficient," she said. "I liked it better before."

Another issue for some has been security. Whereas before, the ID cards were placed on a wall behind the employee desk, they are now the responsibility of the customer.

"I'm afraid it's going to be stolen from the cubby," Shawn Frost (freshman-computer engineering) said.

Some students, such as Ashley Cambridge (junior-economics), said they are concerned about losing their cards while working out.

"It's easier to lose it when you're on the bench. It slides out of your pocket," Cambridge said.

Some weight room employees said they find this system easier.

"It was confusing for about the first 10 minutes, but now we're all getting used to it," said Heather Blehi (senior-elementary education), an employee at the White Building. "Before, it was easier to tell how many people were in here and who was leaving, but we had to keep asking for everyone's last name, and it was annoying. Now they handle their own IDs. We're all in a transition period."

Many students said they were concerned about an extended wait with the new policy in effect.

"We apologize if it's a little bit of an inconvenience," Michelle Rockower, a strength coach assistant at the White Building, said. "One of our concerns is to preserve room capacity, and another is safety. Our main concern is that people are getting the best workout they can."

Although some students said they are upset about the changes, some said they understand.

"It's extremely annoying, but for the most part, it's better. I've had friends who have had their IDs stolen or lost when they were put up on the board," Daniel Omire-Mayor (freshman-premedicine) said.

Harrison suggests that students use lockers provided in the facilities to secure all of their belongings, including ID cards.

"We provide a service by holding onto IDs. By not providing the service, there will be some challenges with respect to [the policy]," Harrison said.