by Jaya Gupta ’25
December 10, 2024
The distribution of ID badges was postponed multiple times, but they were finally passed out on November 7. Students and teachers don’t currently feel affected by this change on a day-to-day basis, but this could change as the end of the semester approaches, because Captain Aerin Washington, Head of Security, wrote that “students should be wearing their badges at all times currently. However, faculty will be asked to enforce the ID requirement when students return from Thanksgiving Break.”
Some alternative lanyard options are available in the bookstore (via the Peabody Press).
According to a random anonymous survey of 10% of the student body with 22 responses, students report wearing their badges at varying times. Most respondents (54.5%) say they wear their ID badges when they walk into the school building, but a small portion don’t wear them at all. This may be related to the lack of consequence for not adhering to protocol.
Responses from survey sent out to high school students on November 12 (via the Peabody Press).
“Students should be wearing or have their ID with them at all times while on campus,” Director of Safety and Security Aerin Washington wrote. “During the school day IDs should be in plain sight to make it easy for everyone to know that you are a USN student.
“During other times like after school students don’t have to wear the. But if someone asks if you are affiliated with USN, be prepared to show an ID,” she added.
Some students don’t seem to find the ID badges helpful, some calling them “pointless” and “annoying.” Others don’t mind wearing them because they’re “a good fidget” and they “feel official.”
The purpose of the badges is clear, though: they are a safety protocol to make sure that the individuals on campus are supposed to be on campus. However, students don’t think that the badges are fulfilling this purpose.
“I have had trouble remembering it since it hasn’t been something I’ve needed before. Also, no one has stopped me even though I’m not wearing it,” one senior responded.
Some students think that ID badges could be improved. Suggestions from students surveyed include “required for adults, but not students” and “should have FOB access.”
The usage of ID badges as keys to get into the school building without the help of an officer was the most popular possible improvement. This way, the doors could stay locked, and only people with ID badges could get into the school. Washington has addressed in assembly that this is a possible future for ID badges, but the school cannot currently give that technology to all student IDs.
For this reason, some students don’t feel the purpose of the ID badges is being fulfilled yet.
“It serves no purpose if it cannot get me into the building and if nobody cares about if I wear it or not then what exactly is its purpose. Nothing changes if I wear it or not so I end up forgetting it exists,” a junior wrote.
We may see the opinions of the IDs worsen if enforcement really tightens after break, as students will be required to get a temporary badge to wear for the day. Based on the survey responses, one reason students don’t currently have harsh negative opinions of the badges is because they’re not enforced yet. Losing IDs, forgetting to wear them, badges being distracting in class, and other potential issues may become more prominent than they seem now as ID badges become a more strict part of school routines.
Some students decorate their ID badges with stickers to show some flair. (via the Peabody Press)
To lessen the inconvenience of the ID badges, here are a few recommendations:
1. Visit the bookstore and purchase a different USN lanyard or badge reel; you can also switch your badge to a lanyard of your own. You can even coordinate them to your outfits!
2. Decorate the back of your badge with stickers to customize
3. Discover new ways to quietly fidget with your badge: clasping/unclasping the lanyard, wrap it around your hand, pinch the metal clip, button/unbutton the clasp around the badge, etc.
4. Show your badge at off-campus dining for a possible student discount.
