Biometric scanners aren’t just for James Bond anymore. These high-tech gadgets are coming to West Virginia University’s Student Recreation Center .
With a new hand geometry reader, students will no longer have to swipe their photo ID cards to gain access. The system will take a three-dimensional view of the hand to determine its shape and size.
Carolyn McDaniel, assistant director of Student Affairs Business Operations, said students now have the option of using the hand geometry reader or swiping their Mountaineer ID cards.
The new technology, funded by the center and Student Affairs, is the solution for students who forget their ID cards or don’t want the hassle of carrying them to the center, she said.
Representatives from Mountaineer Card Services, Facilities Management and CBORD installed the IR Recognition Systems reader last week. McDaniel said that test runs have been successful.
On Monday, April 17, students, faculty and staff are invited to watch Student Government Association Vice President Beth Belch demonstrate how the system works at 9 a.m. at the front desk.
Beginning Tuesday, April 18, representatives from Mountaineer Card Services will be on hand toregisterstudents for the hand geometry reader.
To register, McDaniel said students must bring their photo ID, key in their WVUID number and be enrolled for the current semester. (If students have forgotten their WVUID number, they can look it up athttp://wvuid.wvu.edu/.) Students’hands will bemeasuredthree times by the system, and the average will be used. The entire process takes about two minutes.
Registration dates and times at the Student Recreation Center are: Tuesday, April 18, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Wednesday, April 19, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday, April 20, 7-10 a.m. and 4-9 p.m.; Friday, April 21, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturday, April 22, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Additional dates will be announced.
Students and members may also register for the hand geometry reader at the Mountaineer Card Services offices: Bennett Tower Room G-118, 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and the Mountainlair, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Once registered, students and members’cards will not work at the Student Recreation Center .
If someone tries to use your card, it will be confiscated,McDaniel noted, adding that family members under 16 will not be permitted to register for use of this reader because they are not allowed to enter the facility without an adult.