Under Arizona law, UA can no longer use social security numbers as identification; the old system is being phased out

Current students who still use their Social Security numbers for identification have the option to replace their Social Security numbers, but most haven't.

Only 125 students have requested a new identification number since January.

Under recent state law it is illegal to for the UA to use students' Social Security numbers as identification.

As a result of a new law that requires UA to eliminate its reliance upon Social Security numbers as identification numbers, all UA employees and new students were issued new identification numbers

But many current UA students are still using their Social Security numbers.

Because many UA students use their Social Security numbers for identification, the policy has been "to handle students on a case by case basis if they wish to have their identification number changed," said Rick Hargis, associate director for the Center for Computing and Information Technology, decision support.

The new identification number policy is a consequence of privacy concerns that have risen in importance over the years.

UA released students' Social Security numbers to private vendors, causing an uproar around campus, in 1998.

A student discovered Social Security number segments posted on UA Web sites, which the UA allowed the professors to display, often coupled with grades and test scores, in 1999.

As a result, the Arizona House of Representatives passed a bill in March 1999 mandating that UA abandon the use of Social Security numbers as Student Identification numbers by 2001, although students were still permitted the right to use their Social Security numbers if they prefered.

To be in accordance with the policy, everyone at UA must have a new identification number in four years, except for those who specify the use of their Social Security number.

"Our systems have been converted to comply with the new laws," Hargis said.

The campaign to inform students about new identification numbers has been ongoing, according to Sharon Kha, UA spokeswoman.

Luis Manjarrez, a molecular and cellular biology senior, said that he has not been notified that he can request an ID number that is not his Social Security number.

Manjarrez feels that it is unsafe to use Social Security numbers as ID numbers.

"You never know if someone's going to use your number the wrong way," he said.

However, not all students are concerned about the privacy risks that come with using their Social Security numbers for identification.

Katie Greisiger, a political science sophomore, says that she is comfortable using her Social Security number as her ID number.

"I feel secure with it at UA because they don't give it to outside sources," she said.

"I think it's clearly a matter of personal preference. For students concerned with privacy, it's an option that they can and should exercise. If students are comfortable, there's no need to change it," said Kha.

Students who would like to change their identification number can to go the Registrar's office and register a different number.