Some TCU students don’t hesitate to loan their campus ID along to a friend to get into a football game, but what they see as harmless has TCU Police worried and cracking down on the practice.
Sophomore Colby Castro, said he isn’t worried about loaning out IDs to friends.
“I don’t think there are any safety concerns behind it because students aren’t just going to give it to a stranger,” he said. “They’re just going to give it to their best friend who is coming in to visit.”
According to Officer George Steen, however, many students fail to recognize the safety concerns that coincide with the selling or loaning of their TCU ID because they do so much more than just get people into athletic events.
“Students are selling their ID cards which gives anybody access to our campus, especially our residential halls,” he explained.
The police department said they see people with “borrowed” IDs at every football game. Officer Tom McLaughlin said that males come through the gates with female IDs and females enter with male IDs.
This fall, there have been more officers at every entrance to Amon G. Carter Stadium. Steen said if event staff find the person entering does not match the face presented on the ID, the ID will be confiscated and the matter will be referred to Campus Life.
Days before game day, social media platforms are filled with posts of students looking to borrow or offering to rent their ID cards.
McLaughlin said the problem became acute at last year’s game against the University of Oklahoma.
“We would see fans coming in wearing Oklahoma clothes, but swiping in with a TCU student ID card,” he said.
McLaughlin added that the additional supervision at the student entrance will allow officers to make sure somebody isn’t getting into the student section who doesn’t belong.
“I think it’s better for safety,” said sophomore business major Kendall Graff. “I would feel safer knowing that police know who is entering the stadium.”
McLaughlin and Steen said that safety is always the number one concern, which is why it is important to implement these new student ID policies.
“We consider the big things that happen,” said Steen. “We’re here to make sure that you all have a safe and healthy learning environment.”
Students next chance to use their IDs at a football game will be Friday when the Horned Frogs take on the rival Baylor Bears at 11 a.m.
