Subject: Your Student ID Is Changing March 1, 2003

To All Students

Effective March 1, 2003 Georgia Tech will stop using social security numbers as your student identification number.

The new student identification number, also known as gtID#, is a unique 9 digit identifier that will never change throughout the lifetime of your association with Georgia Tech. Social Security Numbers will still be collected and used as specified in the Privacy Act of 1974, but it will not be used as the key identifier in any system or application at Georgia Tech. This is a necessary and critical step in reducing the risk of identity theft for the Georgia Tech community as established in the Institute’s new Social Security policy.

What does this mean to me?

This means you will need to use your new gtID# to logon to applications like OSCAR, Housing, Student Elections, and Parking. To assist with the transition to gtID#, applications will have a “look up link” so you can look up your gtID# until you have time to memorize it. (You will be able to continue logging on to these applications using your social security number until December 31, 2003.)

What can I do to help protect my student information?

You were assigned a PIN to use for OSCAR registration. Your PIN is not changing. However, this PIN is like any other password; you should change it frequently. Date of birth, gtID#, SSN, or any other obvious piece of information should never be used as a PIN. After you logon to the secured access on OSCAR, go to the "Personal Information Menu" and change your PIN. This is an important step you can take to help protect your own student information.

Do I need a new BuzzCard?

No, it is not necessary to obtain a new BuzzCard. Your current card will still be accepted across the campus without any interruption in service. After March 1, 2003 you will have the option of obtaining a new BuzzCard at no charge. The new BuzzCard displays your gtID# on the front of the card. Please note, you will be required to exchange your current BuzzCard for the new BuzzCard design, which contains the gtID#.

What is my new gtID#?

After March 1, 2003 you will be able to look up your new gtID# at http://www.gtid.gatech.edu. Visit this gtID# Information web site to learn more about the purpose and use of the new gtID#. Further questions? E-mail gtid@ask.gatech.edu.