The project has been in the works since the Fall 2022 semester and aims to be a more convenient way for students and faculty to move about campus, in addition to being more sustainable than physical ID cards.
Austin Peay State University is rolling out its new mobile ID card venture, the Govs Mobile ID system, that will replace physical ID cards that students and faculty are required to carry on campus in order to gain access to buildings. The initiative is rolling out with the Fall 2024 semester after having been in development for two years, after a “soft launch” in January 2024.
According to an article on Austin Peay State University’s website, Natalie Ross Baggett, who serves as the Govs ID Card supervisor, was quoted as saying of the convenience the move to mobile IDs will offer, “The mobile ID is something our students have wanted for a while, and we’ve worked hard to bring the safest, most secure and convenient level of accessibility to our campus community. We think students and employees will appreciate this quicker and safer way to use the Govs ID Card on their phones.”
Up until the mobile ID cards were introduced, students and faculty on Austin Peay State University’s campus needed to carry a physical ID card to gain access to classroom buildings, residence halls, and other campus buildings, and swipe their cards in dining halls. While the mobile ID cards are still needed to do all of those things, the cards will now be conveniently located on the student or faculty member’s cellphone, which most already carry with them all the time. Using the Transact eAccounts app from the App Store or Google Play, the mobile IDs will be available on a user’s phone, as well as Govs Bucks, money that can be used on campus, in the phone’s wallet.
Andy Kean, who serves as the senior director of the Morgan University Center, pointed out that in addition to the convenience, the switch to mobile ID cards will also be a positive for the environment. He is quoted as saying, “Mobile credentials reduce the impact of plastic badges, printers, ink, storage and handling on our environment. Printing physical cards and supporting card printing software and machines will eventually become a thing of the past.”
In the fall of 2022, it was identified that new technology was going to need to be installed on campus to read student IDs, and Baggett noted that the replacements were specifically chosen for their compatibility with mobile ID cards: “As new technology was needed, readers and devices were selected that would support the mobile ID. We’ve been laying the groundwork for this transition for some time to ensure a smooth implementation.” She also noted that the soft launch in January 2024 confirmed that the transition to mobile IDs was going to be a positive move for the campus. “[The soft launch has] given us time to identify any issues and work them out. Most people love the convenience, and the biggest concern we’ve heard is fear of people not being able to use the card if their battery dies. But with an iPhone or Apple device, there’s a five-hour battery reserve that allows owners to use their mobile IDs after their phones die,” she said.
Other campuses around the country are moving toward “mobile-first” systems like the mobile ID cards at Austin Peay State University. Physical ID cards will still be available for students who don’t have smartphones or have smartphones that aren’t compatible with the Transact eAccounts app.
Baggett is hopeful that this transition will lead to an even easier time on campus for students. She said, “Overall, the Govs Mobile ID is an exciting development for Austin Peay and its students. Students can have everything they need right at their fingertips, making campus life more convenient, efficient and enjoyable.”
For more information about Austin Peay State University, visit the school’s website.