Each morning, Upper School (US) students squeeze through the front doors in hordes, holding them open so others can slip by without scanning their student IDs. And, while it may feel convenient, it also poses a significant security risk, Director of Safety, Security and Transportation Kathleen Murphy said.
In September, 45 sophomores, juniors and seniors reported their student IDs missing or lost. With US students relying on others to open the doors for them, school administrators have decided it’s time for a change.
Chief Operating and Financial Officer Tara Gohlmann said the school’s security team has been brainstorming ways to incentivize students to keep track of their IDs. The security team is considering plans to introduce a new student ID policy aimed at improving safety and increasing the convenience of IDs, possibly at the beginning of next year.
According to the All-School Student and Family Handbook, which was last updated prior to the 2025-26 academic year, “The school is currently exploring using these cards for access to photocopiers on campus, as a card for minor purchases, a library card, among other potential uses. This reinforces the importance of these cards to stay within students’ custody at all times.”
Dr. Gohlmann is leading this change.
“The primary goal of the new policy focuses on safety and ensuring that we can keep the doors locked during the school day,” she said. “We always say one of the hardest things is we’re all so kind. We want to help other people when they’re waiting outside. However, it’s for everyone’s security in our school buildings. It’s important that nobody enters the school unless they have property identification.”
Student IDs were implemented before the COVID-19 pandemic as a security measure.
“For a number of years, we were hand-unlocking the doors, and students did not have access to the buildings unless doors were unlocked,” Dr. Gohlmann said. “However, the reality is we’re in a very urban location, and people can walk in off the street, which we don’t want to happen.”
Currently, many students forget their ID cards and rely on friends, siblings or other students to unlock the doors for them. Student IDs automatically deactivate if unused for three consecutive months. As noted in the Handbook, students will be charged to replace lost IDs, Dr. Gohlmann said.
It’s critical students carry their IDs with them, Ms. Murphy said.
“Kids are carrying credit cards and their license, and I’m sure they’re not losing those as much as they are losing their student IDs … It’s important that students know where their ID is in case of a time when they don’t get let in by another student.”
US Library Co-Director Shawnee Sloop said increasing the functions of student IDs will affect the library.
Normally, the librarians use students’ first and last names to look students up in the system. However, with the new policy, students would be identifiable with their ID cards.
The expanded printer access would also be convenient.
“It does get pretty crowded during certain assignment deadlines, … so having access with the IDs for other printers around the building sounds like a really good pro.”
The new policy reinforces student expectations, Ms. Sloop said.
“I don’t see this as an additional ask. I see this as a responsibility to make sure that we have our IDs with us.”
Myriam Lai ’27 said she lost her ID card. Last spring, she said she gave hers to a friend to unlock the NAC doors, and she never got it back.
“We were all sharing and using each other’s IDs, but nobody could find mine. After that, I never really felt like I needed to replace it.”
Myriam has figured out ways to get around scanning IDs.
“Right now, I’m kind of set,” Myriam said. “I either use my friend’s ID, or I’ll trail in with other people. With the new policies, though, I would probably need to get a new ID because it would impact my student life more. I would need it to print things for my classes.”
Nick Narasimhan ’26 carries his ID with him during the school year.
“I keep my student ID in my phone case, so I always have it with me,” he said. “The new policy would be helpful in the library when keeping track of books and with the printer to allow for easier access. BB&N is making the right steps forward to place more emphasis on our student IDs.”
