Don't Monitor Us - DMU

The National Union of Students (NUS) is concerned about potential plans for “wi-fi surveillance” at De Montfort University (DMU). News that the executive board had discussed the possibility of a system for automatically monitoring attendance through electronic chips in the student ID cards sparked comparisons to an Orwellian society in Times Higher Education.
 

There is discussion and (for some) concern about how the Universities will differentiate themselves in a new commercially focused environment. Higher tuition fees and changes to funding are expected to create more discerning and consumerist students, who will (according to the NUS President) flinch at the idea of “round-the-clock monitoring” that may “infringe on their privacy or dignity”.

 

The article made me smile – not least because “swipe cards” are already used in many FE Colleges for tracking attendance and improving security. It is quite hard to judge student behaviour without bringing my older more experienced values into the equation. However, when I am honest with myself - I remember as a ‘bright young thing’ getting ready to continue my education beyond ‘A’ Levels, my decision criteria about what University to study at was as much about how many bars were conveniently located to campus as anything else. And once at University, personal dignity was very low on my agenda (as was attendance to any lecture that started before midday if I am honest).

Ignoring the cost efficiency arguments of an automated administrative function, the introduction of such a system is surely a positive step as it will help to prepare students for professional life in the world of commerce. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and swipe cards are a routine part of most modern businesses, to track both their products and peoples. 

Consumerism itself robs many of us of our privacy; by allowing marketing professionals to track our high-street movements “round-the-clock” through purchases linked to store cards. We seem quite comfortable to let Big Brother keep watch when there is something in it for us – such as future discounts or a free hat.

Perhaps the solution is not the student ID cards. The University that introduces Nectar Points for attendance to lectures will be able to both monitor attendance and create a USP in a competitive market.