Smart cards are very convenient, because they replace multiple cards. The smart card serves as an identification card, building access card, library card, gym or fitness center card, meal card and debit card. Rather than carry around a wallet full of these cards, the smart card can be worn around the neck on a lanyard or attached to a key chain.
The smart card is easy to replace because it can be deactivated and the student, faculty or staff member to whom it belongs can be issued a replacement card. Lost cash can not be replaced, and it can take replacement debit or credit cards two weeks to arrive in the mail. A smart card, on the other hand, can be replaced immediately when a student visits the issuing office on campus.
Parents can easily add money to their child's smart card by transferring money online. Since the card can only be used on campus or at nearby food or convenience retailers, parents can rest assured that they money is not being wasted at a bar, at a shopping mall, or some other non-essential commercial or recreational venue.
Most college smart cards do include a picture of the cardowner; this makes it possible for the cardowner to be positively identified before the card is used to make purchases from retailers. However, campus or off-campus retail employees may not follow protocol requiring that they identify the cardowner, making it easy for stolen cards to be used to make purchases. Also, the smart card can be used to access buildings, such as dorm halls, without the cardowner having to surrender the card. Therefore, if a smart card is stolen, a person's campus account can easily be breached. Further, if the smart card is stolen by a person off-campus, then people outside the college community can access secure buildings.
Smart cards are easily damaged. Scratches from keys or other objects in the pocket easily damage the magnetic strip, rendering the card unreadable. Also, unusual changes in electrical voltage can erase or alter the information from a smart card. For instance, walking through a metal detector, which many students that travel home via plane do, could affect the card. In addition, if the card is exposed to extreme temperatures, memory can be removed or the card may no longer function properly.