Vending machines at the University of Maryland aren’t getting as much business as vendors would like. But students say they would be more inclined to buy food from the vending machines if they were equipped to accept student ID cards for payment, according to the Diamondback Online, an independent student newspaper for the University.

At many schools, machines are equipped to accept student ID cards to make purchases. Students at the University of Maryland typically use the machines as a last resort, because on-campus shops not only have a larger variety of items, but also accept student ID cards for payment. ▸

Blackboard announced the availability of Release 3.6 of Blackboard Transact, and with it the introduction of a contactless campus system that aims to make the student experience both convenient and secure.

Utilizing Sony’s Felica technology, Blackboard Transact permits equipped cards and mobile phones to make payment and grant entry with a wave or a tap. Students can get into secure buildings and facilities, pay for books, meals and laundry and even access campus events. ▸

A new building at Ireland’s Cork Institute of Technology has been equipped with a wireless XS4 access control system by Salto, according to info4security.com.

As part of the system, Mifare contactless smart cards, which also double up as a photo ID, were issued. The smart ID cards build up on-card audit trails through normal use giving Cork Institute of Technology complete control over access. ▸

Students living on-campus at Chadron State College will now use a small device resembling a key fob to enter residence halls during night and early morning, says The Chadron Record.

The new security system includes new door and scanner hardware at each of the entrances, and video cameras and buzzers to screen visitors and residents with misplaced or inactive fobs. Students and others will still be required to show identification at the front desk upon entrance. ▸

The University of Iowa is converting all exterior doors on its more than 100 campus buildings from conventional key locks to electronic access systems, according to press-citizen.com.

Prior to the new electronic system, janitors were unlocking doors up to three hours ahead of schedule to have them all unlocked on time, creating many security concerns, say campus officials. ▸

CardSmith announced that it has implemented its card program management service at three continuing care retirement communities - two in North Carolina and one in Virginia, all of which are managed by United Church and Home Services.

Under the program, residents of the facilities are issued personalized cards with pre-paid spending accounts that can be used at designated point of sale kiosks across the facilities. ▸

A San Jose State University student brought an apparent glitch in the campus’ Career Center Web site to the attention when he discovered that logging in required only his student ID for the password, according to the Spartan Daily.

When visiting the site to log-in, the student read a message which instructed users to enter their student ID number as their log-in password. The Career Center’s Web site database holds an array of personal and confidential information, left by students. ▸