by Cullen Viancourt ‘18
Living in the technological age, it’s pretty easy for anyone to see that Saint Ignatius High School is still stuck in the past. And it’s especially easy for us students to see, but now there are some pretty high up in the pecking order who are starting to think so as well. I spoke with Mr. Klingshirn ’79, Vice President and C.F.O. of SIHS, and he agreed that “We’re behind the times when it comes to this sort of thing.” So the question is how do we remedy this problem before we fall too far behind?
Enter the Wildcard. Is it an ID? Is it a charge card? Is it, God forbid, a JUG card? Well, yes. The proposed new Wildcard would be a functioning student ID, completely replacing the ones all students currently use. In addition, it will also have a magnetic strip that will allow it to function as a debit card acceptable at the bookstore and the cafeteria. The mag-strip also allows for teachers to use the Wildcard as an attendance taking tool, where a student would ‘swipe in’ at a reader station, and they would be checked into class. Or, there may be even more uses for it, such as independent vendors allowing the card as tender, especially everyone’s favorite, Wendy’s. But these are best case scenario hopes, let’s get down to facts.
The only thing known for sure right now is that the card will eventually replace our current ID’s, and that students will be able to use it at the bookstore and the cafeteria. But why would this be a good change? Well, for one thing, as Mr. Klingshirn said, “Anything we can do to limit the amount of cash here on campus is good.” Another great reason stated by Mr. K is that, “It’s a convenience factor,” and that it is. This move could possibly consolidate credit cards, student ID cards, JUG cards, and attendance records, into one card. Now that’s not to say that students won’t need to carry anything else, but it will certainly be a great step toward consolidation.
What is the extent to which the Wildcard can reach? For one, there will be a single vending machine hooked up with a Wildcard reader, and hopefully in the future all vending machines will be Wildcard compatible. There will be considerable outreach to Ohio City vendors and it is expected that almost all vendors asked (and yes, OCB included) will allow usage of the card (Wendy’s might take a little longer because of it’s being part of a large corporation). Also a great plus, there will be no extra surcharge for using the Wildcard. But, as is always most important at St. Ignatius, and dutifully stated by our Chief Financial Officer, “We look at everything and say, how can we prepare you guys for college.”
And there you have it, a great card with many enticing potential upsides, but beneath it all, it will make us Ignatians ready for college.
