Gone are the days when students and graduates could just flash any old Rattler Card and gain entry into a FAMU athletic event. Since the final football game of last year the FAMU athletic department has been using optical scanners which allows them to determine instantly if a Rattler Card is valid.
FAMU spent an estimated $25,000 for the new system, which is now used for all paid sporting events. The system consists of a handheld card reader that scans students' Rattler Cards and pulls up information on their FAMU accounts.
"If the student is in good standing he or she will be able to get in, but if a student has holds or owes the university money, a stop sign will pop up on the device," said Clayton Smith, assistant athletic director for event management.
The new system reduces the risk of having students with valid ID pass their Rattler Cards through the fence to non-students, because the new system can also detect if a card has already been used that day. The scaners also reduce the need for FAMU to issue tickets to students to attend atheltic events and potentially subjecting them to long lines to pick up tickets.
The university is considering expanding the use of scaners to game passes and game tickets.
I'm a little disappointed, because I can't show up and get a Homecoming ticket from my Rattler Card issued in 1999. :p
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm glad the university is investing in technology and using modern fraud prevention tactics.
I can still use my Rattler Card to get the student discount at movie theaters though.
LOL. Your old Rattler Card will also get you the Apple computer discount as well.
ReplyDeleteWell supposed students have other holds such as college prep, attendance, CLAST, or academic advisement holds. These are minor holds that shouldn't affect getting in games because sometimes holds are put on accounts automatically at certain times of the year so that students don't forgrt to reister for certain things or see certain people. How is that going to be taken in consideration?
ReplyDeleteway to go FAMU. Getting better with the new shit. Although it's tempting, student fees pay for their tickets.
ReplyDeleteAlumni should be doing the right thing and buying season tickets to support the program. A $25 ticket ain't gonna bust you.
While this new system is a "God-send" I must admit, I'm gonna miss the days of standing in line waiting to get a ticket. I believed all of that was a part of the FAMU experience. I kept all of my game tickets. They made great souveniers.
ReplyDelete