New ID strap draws reactions

By KIM ERIC J. DEL ROSARIO 

The new ID strap (bottom) replaces the old one (top) after the continuous demand
of the students, June 23. The new ID strap however, faced comments on its length
and buckle feature. (USA Publications/Kristine Louise L. Andrade)

After the continuous demand of students to change the old ID strap, the Student Affairs Office (SAO) released a new design of ID strap with functional features, June 23 but opposing reactions still remain.

Answering to the interests and cultural generation of the students, Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) Rev. Fr. Pederito Aparece, OSA together with the University General Advisory Council approved the release of the new ID strap provided that the old ones were to be sold out first.

The new ID strap is dominantly red with gold lines on both sides of the strap and a gold label ‘University of San Agustin’ following an Old English font embedded on the strap; it also features a buckle located at the lower part which functions for the convenient detachment of the ID in case a student is required to leave his ID for the access of school services.

“I’m really glad that students now are proud of wearing their IDs. It speaks of the University and simplicity; it exudes the identity of an Augustinian.” Aparece said.

It must be remembered that a surge of different college lanyards were used by the students instead of the prescribed ones last academic year; this prompted the Office of the VPSA to come up with a new design of the ID strap.

“The students liked wearing the lanyards although there was a memorandum against it since they clamored that the old ID strap was not ‘in,’ not presentable, and easily soiled.” Aparece added.

Having released the new ID straps, the S.A.O. is expecting that the problem on the proper wearing of IDs within the university campus be solved. In addition, the V.P.S.A. reiterated that although the university has a new prescribed ID strap, the previous ones would still do.

Jamme Joe Monteclaro, a junior engineering student did not buy the new ID strap for the reason that “it was not required anyway.”

“We are not forcing the students to buy the new strap. The old and the new straps are both considered prescribed.” told Aparece.

On the other hand, most students comment on the length of the new ID strap, and some have also mentioned that the buckle is too easy to be detached.

According to the USA Student Council president, Patrick Daniel Ladrido remarked that “the University of San Agustin [text on the strap] is readable, but the length is long for short people, and the new buckle feature could make it prone to missing IDs.”

Another junior engineering student, Hya May Bautista did not opt to purchase the new ID strap because “the buckle easily breaks off and would cost the student to buy another one.”

The new ID strap can be bought at the USA bookstore at the price of fifty five pesos and the SAO expressed how reasonable and ‘student budget-friendly’ it the price is.