Students at Syracuse University will now be able to use a hand scanner to gain access to the school’s dining centers, which the school says will “facilitate a quicker, contactless entrance at mealtimes.”
In a press release, Syracuse University explained that using hand scanners is entirely voluntary. The technology is open for students on a school meal plan. Since the scanners were installed a few weeks ago, the school said that “hundreds” of students have already registered their hand scans and have begun using the new technology.
“Our students want a variety of dining options that they can access at their convenience – whether it’s in between class or late in the evening after a night of studying. This is one of many enhancements we plan to implement to make the dining experience more enjoyable and efficient for our students,” said Kris Klinger, senior associate vice president for auxiliary services.
In addition to the hand scanner, students can also use their physical school ID card or a school app to enter dining centers across campus.
Syracuse University said it has partnered with IDEMIA, an augmented identity solutions provider, to use its Morpho scanners. In a press release, the school said the Morpho system uses an “encrypted mathematical representation of each student’s hand scan.” The school further added that hand scans are encrypted throughout the collection and conversion process and then destroyed, so no biometric information remains with Morpho. Additionally, Syracuse University said that Morpho operates on a secure private network that is not accessible from the internet.
“The new scanners were a relatively simple opportunity to upgrade the University’s technology,” said Klinger. “We will constantly look for opportunities to modernize and meet our students where they are.”
