Dartmouth College Implements Palm Scanning System in Dining Hall, Drawing Mixed Response

Dartmouth College has implemented a new biometric palm recognition system at its Class of 1953 Commons dining hall entrance as part of campus technological modernization efforts. The system, developed by IDEMIA, features three gates where students can scan their palms for entry, while maintaining one traditional ID card swiping station as an alternative option. This implementation represents a growing trend in campus biometric adoption, following successful deployments at other major institutions.

According to Dartmouth Dining director Jon Plodzik, approximately 2,000 students have enrolled in the palm scanning system since its introduction. The implementation follows similar adoptions at other institutions, including Boston University and Vanderbilt University, as universities nationwide seek more efficient and secure access control solutions. Syracuse University implemented comparable technology across its five dining centers, demonstrating the broader movement toward biometric authentication in campus environments.

Student responses to the new system have varied. Tyler Lucca expressed enthusiasm, comparing the experience to feeling “like a Jedi,” while Shisui Torii noted improved entry speeds compared to card swiping. However, other students have questioned the system’s necessity and implementation. Bradyn Quintard indicated that the new system has created entrance bottlenecks and suggested that addressing congestion at food stations would have been more beneficial.

The collection of biometric data has emerged as a point of discussion among students. Student Dara Casey expressed hesitation about sharing biometric information, reflecting broader privacy concerns in campus biometric implementations. Addressing these concerns, Plodzik explained that the system employs secure one-way hash encryption, a security measure that transforms biometric data into an encrypted format that cannot be reverse-engineered to recreate the original palm scan. Computer science professor Tim Tregubov corroborated this security approach, noting that such systems typically store biometric data in a manner resistant to misuse.

On January 7, messages appeared on a dining hall blackboard expressing opposition to the scanners. Despite mixed reactions, Plodzik drew parallels between the system’s adoption and the historical implementation of EZ Toll Pass systems, suggesting that initial resistance to new authentication technologies often gives way to acceptance as users recognize their convenience and security benefits.

Sources: The Dartmouth

–

January 9, 2025 – by Ji-seo Kim