With OneCards being digital by default during the past school year, it seems freshmen and incoming students have got the short end of the stick. Digital OneCards are convenient and may save forgetful students from paying a $20 replacement fee, but they shouldn’t be the only options students have.
Default digital OneCards assume that all students possess a cell phone with NFC capability (or the “tap” ability) and reliable battery while not providing an easy alternative for those who don’t.
Plus, they’re unreliable. Many phones have failsafes in case of power running out, but it only works for a limited time after the device dies. If a phone breaks completely, there should be an alternate option for a OneCard besides a temporary version available at the front desk of residence halls.
In certain situations, it is possible for students to receive a new physical OneCard. However, it’s not guaranteed. Digital OneCards should be used as a backup and in cases of convenience, not relied upon while the physical versions turn obsolete.
Front desk staff in the residence halls are not permitted to let people in. So, if a phone is lost or broken, people are essentially locked out of their building unless another student lets them in, which is all up to chance. There are no payphones around to ask a roommate to help out, either.
This limited access is not safe and could be avoided if people had a backup option.
Besides, students in residence halls still need to carry their room key with them. What’s different about a sheet of plastic that can be easily attached to it with a keychain?
Every NIU student needs to receive a physical OneCard. Whether or not they use it should be up to them.
Traci Carlson • Apr 23, 2026 at 11:07 am
I completely agree with this. Every student should be issued a physical OneCard, if for no other reason than it is much more reliable than a phone. Phones are intermittently reliable, lost easily, and not always accessible. Some individuals with disabilities have difficulty with virtual OneCards and may not want to disclose their disability in order to request a physical card. Students without access to a cellphone must declare that as a reason to request a physical card. Switching to virtual cards has required those with reasons for wanting or needing a physical card to disclose personal information that should not be required for a student ID. Physical cards promote inclusivity and OneCards should be based on the principles of universal design.