In response to student requests that the College move to a more encompassing campus identification, service and proximity card, a task force committee was formed to research card systems and, if feasible, implement a new system to better meet the needs of the campus community.
Late in 1999, a task force, comprising of members from Dining Services, Student Affairs, Facilities Management, Safety and Security, Accounting, Information Technology Services and College Services, was created to assess the feasibility of a one-card system on campus. The group conducted preliminary informational interviews with campus offices and with various card system vendors. The goal of the committee was to locate and incorporate a new system that would allow users access to appropriate campus facilities (dorms, dining halls) and provide service convenience (library borrowing, vending, photocopy and laundry service and purchasing power) - all while serving as an institutional and individual identifier.
In March of 2001 it was announced that a vendor had been selected to work with the College and a new card system would be launched and in place by Fall, 2001. In preparation of the 2001-02 academic year, card readers were installed around campus, trial cards were given to a number of students for testing purposes and faculty, staff and students were asked for input on the design of the new campus card. Members of the campus were encouraged to visit the Pioneer One-Card Office to obtain their new campus identification card.
By the start of the Fall 2001-02 academic year, the Pioneer One-Card was being used at the College Book Store and Burling Libraries, in vending and laundry machines and to gain entry into student residence and dining halls.
