University Introduces Fingerprint System to Distract from Other Privacy Violations

CENTRAL CAMPUS—One of the issues on the lips of many Boston University students this fall is the controversy of a new system for tracking student transactions in the new dining hall.The new system implements a fingerprint recognition software into the swipe-in kiosks of 100 Bay State Road, linking the students not only to their Terrier Card and BU ID number, but to their fingerprints as well. A chip in the new Terrier Cards issued this fall stores fingerprint data remotely, so it isn’t really stored in any BU database. Despite this fact, some students are up in arms about the new system.“What are they using our fingerprints for? Why do they need that?” said Michelle Cruz (SED ‘14). “This is a huge violation of privacy. They could do so many things with my fingerprint, like framing me at a crime scene!” Cruz added.  “I’m sure there are other things, but that’s all I’ve thought of so far.”Our reporters went to the Terrier Card Office in the basement of the George Sherman Union this afternoon to get some answers about these violations of privacy. One office employee, when asked for a statement, said “They think this is the University violating their privacy?” The employee, after laughing for several minutes, added “This place sticks its nose in other people’s business all the time. I’m really not allowed to go into detail, but let’s just say you shouldn’t use the bathrooms on the third floor.”Bunion reporters were sent to the Dean of Students Office for a statement from Dean Elmore on these controversies. Before arriving, our reporters received a phone call from an unlisted number. “Don’t get any closer,” said a voice on the other line. “Dean Elmore will not see you now. Go home.”