Eric Dash: Memo to Maureen Rush-Scrap the IDs, please

To: Maureen Rush, Vice President for Public Safety.

From: Judith Rodin, a.k.a. The Boss

Re: Operation Infinite Stupidity (The PennCard Affair)

I just wanted to let you know that I'm all for your rubber stamp committee on the new visible ID policy. There's nothing we in College Hall enjoy more than pushing tough decisions off on loyal "task forces," and I have no doubt that this one will fall right in line.

I've already rounded up the support of the usual suspects -- you know, those token "campus leaders" who are always willing to say yes for us. (You can get their names from the Almanac; they've served on the previous three committees.) And I'm working hard to win over Penn Students Against Sweatshops and Everything Else. (Let's not give the protest-of-the-month club another reason to drive us, well, bongos.)

Still, while you can count on my public support as we start the "consultation process," privately I'm beginning to have serious reservations about your modest proposal.

Maureen, I am just not sure I fully comprehend the logic behind these early plans to curb on-campus theft.

If I understand correctly, your proposal calls for all students, faculty and staff to voluntarily wear their PennCards all day, every day and in every building on campus except the college houses. That way, community members should be better able to help Penn Police identify non-University affiliates, using criteria other than race or physical appearance.

As you explain, it's "The Club" theory of crime prevention: Place one more barrier that sticks out like a sore thumb, and it makes it that much more difficult for the crook to act.

Unfortunately, there are just a few serious problems with that idea. For one, isn't it your department that's always reminding us that careless students -- those who leave their cell phones, wallets and laptops unattended -- are partly to blame for petty thefts on this campus? What will wearing a PennCard do about that?

Moreover, we don't have any proof it will work. I'm a research psychologist. That's means I love -- no, I'm obsessed with -- data.

How much more likely is it that a non-Penn community member will be involved with a campus theft than someone affiliated with the University? What kind of crime reduction might we see with the introduction of visible IDs? Can you justify the cost of buying all those ID pouches?

What I am trying to say is, quite frankly, we need evidence. Right now, all we have are a few swapped stories from a campus crime fighters convention and and a whole lot of hype in the Chronicle of Higher Education. That Temple University does it is not enough. Maureen, show me the numbers!

Beyond that, I'm concerned that this proposal sends the wrong message to our West Philadelphia neighbors -- one that only increases town-gown friction. At its best, it rubs upon the perception that Penn is an exclusive "gated" university -- not an inclusive member of the larger community. After the crime wave of 1996, you'll recall that Penn deliberately built bookstores, supermarkets and multiplexes to improve campus safety -- not fortress-like walls. We wanted to make Penn's campus a Stephen Starr destination for the Philadelphia region. What kind of welcome mat is this?

Finally, I have a number of concerns about just how many people will actually wear those PennCard pouches if the policy is not enforced -- no matter how "attractive and convenient" you say they'll be. After all, the policy will only be as effective as those willing to comply.

As much as I love to sport the Red and Blue, don't you think the "Dial 511 for Penn Police"-labeled pouch is a little tacky for meetings with high-profile alumni?

Besides Maureen, while the capri pants and tube top days may be over for you and me, there's really not much room to clip those badges on some of our students' outfits. And don't get me started on the number of freshmen who lose their PennCards. We could start an endowment fund with the revenue we bring in for issuing replacements. (Note to self: Look into that.)

Still, I've got to hand it to you and your department for continuing to offer innovative solutions. Although clearly impractical, this proposal does seem more down-to-earth than those Star Trek-like hand scanners we set up in the high rises last year.

Nonetheless, experience still tells me that this plan will not work. Surely, its intentions are good -- the unintended consequences, on the other hand, are not.

Eric Dash is a senior Management and American History major from Pittsburgh, Pa.

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