Time is finite, and nothing lasts forever. Your student ID will one day expire, like all things must.
The single-issue cards that grant access to most campus buildings are defunct four years and a few months after their printing.
But those looking to extend that window to access useful spaces at Point Park, such as the library and the Student Center gym, can look to the alumni ID program.
The alumni ID grants those eligible for it access to the University Center, Academic Hall, Lawrence Hall and the Student Center on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., free of charge.
Alumni ID-holders are not permitted into residence halls and can’t access them by scanning their ID, Shelby Glentzer, an alumni relations officer who oversees the ID program, said.
To qualify, those applying must email the University Advancement office and have, at some point, been enrolled for classes at Point Park.
Recently, interest in the program has seen an uptick, according to Keith Paylo, the university’s dean of students. Currently there are over 1,900 active alumni IDs, according to Glentzer.
“Alumni want to continue to stay engaged and connected to the university,” Paylo said. “So, I think that’s a wonderful thing.”
Paylo said he plays a vital role in the “extensive” background checking process standard for each issued ID. He is responsible for ensuring applicants were in “good standing” with the university, he said.
To do this, Paylo said he and an assistant review each applicant’s record from their time as a student at Point Park and ensure they haven’t been banned from its property.
“Obviously we’re looking to keep the campus safe,” Paylo said.
Applicants’ potential criminal records are then reviewed by Public Safety. Chief of Police Jeff Besong said his primary role is “security and enforcement.”
“My focus is on ensuring that the alumni cards, as defined by university policy, [are] not compromised, abused or pose a risk to campus safety,” Besong said in an emailed statement.
He added that he must verify alumni IDs are only being used in approved buildings and at approved times, as mentioned above. Besong did not provide any further comment regarding the background checking process.
Glentzer is the first to peruse the list of prospective applicants for the alumni ID. She went over common reasons that applicants are not eligible for an alumni ID.
“People will just apply for an alumni ID, and we have absolutely no record of them going to school here at all,” Glentzer said.
A former student’s ID from their time at Point Park must have expired by the time they apply for an alumni ID in order for them to be eligible, Glentzer added.
All former students, even those who initially attended Point Park 40 or 50 years ago, are permitted to apply for an alumni ID. Glentzer said the oldest applicant so far graduated in the class of 1979.
“He uses it because he is very good friends with the historian that we have working with the university,” Glentzer said. “He’s a wonderful gentleman.”
Those interested in applying can email [email protected] for more information.
