Long lines at Sacramento State are nothing new during the first few weeks of school, but they will be forming in a new location on campus this semester ?” at the One Card Center.

Though an e-mail was sent to the campus community’s Sac Link accounts more than three months ago, there are still about 10,000 cards that need to be distributed, said David Proschold, a One Card system administrator.

In compliance with a law enacted in July of last year, California’s SB25 privacy legislation, the One Card office began new card distribution in May. Complete with face-lift, these new cards will no longer be connected to student’s social security numbers.

“Someone would have had to have been carrying a magnetic strip reader in their back pocket to access student information on the old cards,” Proschold said.

“If a student swiped their card on campus the next person to use the same machine could not access their information. These new cards are just a precautionary measure.”

And while the One Card Center looked like a ghost town Thursday afternoon, employees are expecting a lot more excitement when classes resume due to the large number of cards left to be dispersed.

“We’ve hired 10 temps to assist in handing out the cards but we only have extra staff to help for the first two weeks of school,” said Gina Lombardo, with the One Card Office support services.

Since the previous cards are no longer active as of June 11, students need to get to the One Card Center as soon as possible, Lombardo said.

In order to print in campus computer labs, check out library books and ride Sacramento Regional Transit buses or the Hornet Shuttle, students must have the new card in hand.

“All information and money on the previous card transfers to the new one,” Lombardo said. “We just need students to come and get them.”

China McGee, an 18-year-old freshman, has been working at the One Card office for several weeks and doesn’t know how crazy things will get in the days ahead.

“Things have been pretty laid back here so far. And I’m relaxed because I already have my new card,” McGee said.

McGee wasted no time in picking up her card after she was warned of possible long lines during a summer orientation. “I knew I had to get one anyway so I thought I should do it before school started.”

One incentive for students to pick up the new One Card is $5 in printing cash that is placed in each student’s account at the start of a new semester, Lombardo said.

“This money is for printing in computer labs only, not for coffee or snacks on campus,” she said. “And if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

Students also receive a 4 cent discount when using a One Card at copy machines throughout campus, Lombardo said.

To obtain the updated card, new students must fill out a one-page application and pay a $9 fee. Returning students receive the new card free of charge upon presenting their old card with the same picture.

Semester stickers were not mailed out this semester and One Card holders can pick them up at the One Card Center behind Brighton Hall, the UTAPS office in Foley Hall, the ASI Business Office on the third floor of the University Union or at Student Financial Services on the first floor of Lassen Hall.The One Card Center will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the first week of school.

Lora Simmons can be reached at [email protected]