THE SIGNAL THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SERVING THE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1933 VOLUME 79 | ISSUE 4
PantherCard gets makeover, now available to students
MICHELLE ASCI | SIGNAL
Students are now required to get new PantherCards.
BRITTANY KNOX Staff Writer In the spirit of big changes being made here at Georgia State, students will be getting new PantherCards.
GSUSIGNAL.COM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
Some GSU students, including new freshman and other incoming students, were issued their new school IDs at the start of the academic year. But even students who do not have the new card may have already
seen its new look. The card still includes the same basic information — students’ name, Panther ID number and a photograph. But the layout of the card has undergone a makeover. According to Russell Chiles, director of Information Systems and PantherCard Program, the look of the Panther ID card is changing to be more cohesive with the change in the Pounce the Panther logo. “The PantherCard’s image was changed to reflect the newly branded Pounce Logo that was launched in coordination with the Georgia State football team,” said Chiles. He also states that the only change that students will see as a result of this endeavor is the design on the card—the production of these new cards are not costing students additional fees or charges. It is not required that students have these new cards; those who still have the classic Panther ID cards will still be able to use them on campus. If students wish to obtain the new
Panther ID card, the replacement fee of $10 will still be in place. However, Chiles says that there will be a date announced in the future when students will be able to receive the new Panther ID card for free. When asked about possible changes to the function of the PantherCard in the future, Chiles replied, “We are working with Student Accounts to potentially make PantherCard a vehicle for financial aid disbursements.” If this change is approved, there will not be an additional cost to students to implement the program. Allyson Broody, a senior majoring in public relations here at GSU, works as a student assistant in the PantherCard office, addressing student concerns and providing assistance to students regarding the use of their Panther ID card. “The new Panther Card gives GSU a fierce and exciting new look,” says Broody. “Many customers have been satisfied with the new design.” Coraline Van Asten, a senior majoring in criminal justice, is also a student assistant in the PantherCard office. She said that there have been mixed opinions from students about the new PantherCard so far. “Some students love the new
look,” Van Asten sayes, “and a few… did not like the design. A lot of students, however, are very excited and cannot wait to get the update.” Both Broody and Van Asten have been working in the PantherCard office since before the introduction of the new cards. Among other benefits, the PantherCard allows accessibility into many of the campus events and buildings. Students’ PantherCards provide entrance into the Petit Science Building, the university library and dining hall facilities. Other important essentials of having a PantherCard are its monetary uses. It acts as a bank card, storing cash and Panther Cash value, and is used to pay for things such as meal plans and also bookstore credit,. It also gives accessibility to campus amenities including free entry into Cinefest and GSU home games. Students can get their PantherCard or replacements at the PantherCard office, located on the second floor of the University Center. For additional information about the PantherCard and its numerous functions around campus, log onto the Auxiliary and Support Services page on the GSU website.
Students concerned over food safety after Kennesaw student dies Alexis Smith Staff Writer
Chris Shattuck News Editor
Following the death of a Kennesaw State University student from a suspected food allergy a few weeks Mon 9/5
Tue 9/6
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ago, some students have recently become interested in Georgia State’s food safety policies. Lenore Music, manager of food services at Georgia State, says that Georgia State is completely safe for
Thur 9/8
Fri 9/9
those conscious of their own dietary restrictions. She says that information regarding likely food allergens is determined by the chefs and posted to warn students. “We have a chef at both dining
halls that have extensive knowledge on food allergies, and we make sure of that. We label the most important items like peanuts and so forth as best we can in order to insure the safety of students,” said Music.
However, some students like sophomore English education major Hannah Wildes, who is lactose intolerant and suffers from a mild case SEE SAFETY PAGE 05
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