Social Security numbers
In case you forgot what time you arrived home last night, UNH knows. The identification cards used to gain access to UNH facilities such as dining halls, computer clusters and residences around campus are doing more than opening doors. Logged in a confidential database are the place, date and time of each individual swipe, allowing the University to know where you are and when.

Each card is embedded with a Social Security number, or student identification number. Each SSN is followed by a two-digit issue code, indicating the number of times the ID card has been reissued.

The inconspicuous card readers are hardwired into a subnet, which is fed large amounts of numerical information each day. According to Blaise Masse, a representative of UNH IT, the subnet that collects all of this information is entirely separate from that which is accessible by UNH students, ensuring the sensitive data’s security. The computer system where this information is kept is also encrypted.

 “The initial cost is more than a regular door, but over the long run, it is far less expensive to both the student and the university,” said Masse. The card readers cost up to $1,000 per reader.

Masse said that these components are a “win-win” situation for the campus, as this system allows for a new keycard to be issued to the student without the added expense of changing the locks.

The keycard system enables the university to grant or deny access to any person at any door on campus. The card readers can detect when doors are open and where, notifying the university of potential breaches in security.

UNH can use this data in a variety of ways, according to Joanne Stella, the legal representative for the university. For instance, the records that they collect are accessible to many UNH employees, including the UNH police.

If a crime were committed within one of the residence halls or off-campus apartments, the university could provide law enforcement with records of people who had recently entered the building.

Can we be at ease knowing that only the university can access this information? “No,” said senior Abbi Lengyel. “Knowing that this data is being collected is unnerving enough; the idea they can use it against us is something like big brother.”

Many UNH students aren’t aware that their Social Security numbers are hidden within the black strip on the back of their identification cards.

“I had no idea,” said senior Alison Smart. “I’ve carelessly been carrying my Social Security number around for four years and never knew it.”

The Chronicle of Higher Education reported in Aug. 2002 that “nearly half of colleges nationwide still use Social Security numbers as the primary means to track students in academic databases. The nationwide survey also shows that 79 percent of colleges display students’ Social Security numbers on official transcripts.”
—Jillian Arquette

hard times on fraternity row
A significant damper has been put on the number of students looking to join a fraternity in recent years, according to certain members affiliated with UNH’s Greek organizations.

Sigma Beta’s past president, Sean Delahunt, said that his fraternity tends to average about six to 10 new members every semester.

“In general, the social scene at UNH has deteriorated, and that has played a significant role in lower numbers for Greek involvement,” said Delahunt.

Junior Sigma Beta brother Owen Glotzer has noticed the lessened participation, as well. He attributes this to the university’s involvement with fraternity activities.

“Last year was an all-time low, campus wide, for numbers,” Glotzer said. “The university was putting a lot of regulations on what was necessary and who could be taken, so it really took away pledges.”

Glotzer said that the university requires a clean record and a certain grade point average for incoming pledges.

“They required GPAs for the last class and no freshman were allowed to participate if there were any previous infractions,” said Glotzer. “But we were able to do some compromising and improvement.”

The current GPA of Sigma Nu is a 2.8. The overall average of UNH’s recognized fraternities is 2.81.

Outreach assistant for Greek Affairs, Christina Witkowicki, said that “the university doesn’t necessarily regulate the fraternities.” Rules such as the “wristband rule” that requires over 21-year-olds to wear bracelets at parties to consume alcohol are actually national policies.

“It is the university’s job of the Greek Affairs office to make sure those national policies are followed,” said Witkowicki.
Matty Paster, president of UNH’s Sigma Nu, said that damaging portrayals of fraternities in popular films and other mediums are also to blame for the lower than usual numbers of students looking to go Greek.

“They are still popular, but the negative stereotypes from the media certainly don’t help. They are wrongly stereotyped in movies and other media alike, which unfortunately leads to a lower turnout rate during recruitment,” said Paster.
—Abigail Crocker

Sex Fair combines fun and information, draws record turnouts
The Sex Fair, held recently in the Granite State Room, drew one of the largest turnouts ever.

“We’ve never had so many people here before,” said Colleen Murphy, co-president of Students Advocating Gender Equality (SAGE), who helped host and organize the Sex Fair. “I’m really psyched about this year’s turnout.”

Students believe that the incentives and advertisements may have led to the rise in this year’s student participation.

“They took sexual health, and rather than lecturing us about it, made learning about it something fun,” said Christina Nagel, a sophomore at UNH.

“They really tried to involve students,” Anne Buckless, a junior who attended the Sex Fair, agreed.

There were games like the lube tasting contest where students could win prizes, a demonstration of sex toys, and a confessional at the end of the fair where students could post their comments or feelings about their own personal experiences.” Raffles to win prizes such as a free massage, dice, food and sex-related items were incentives for students to attend, as well.

Each table at the Sex Fair offered something by way of promoting different aspects of a healthy and consensual sex life for students, including information about consent, sexual health, relationships, AIDS and sexual options.

“Our goal is to enhance student knowledge about our breadth of service,” said Annie Venier, an outreach coordinator for SHARPP. “We practice an empowerment model; we’re here to help people with what they are ready and willing to accept help for.”
—Heather Deegan