In April 2004, Ball State issued new identification cards to students and employees that replaces cards that had Social Security numbers on them. The cards carry a unique Ball State number. "The sole reason for the change to the university-assigned number is to protect the identity of the user," Registrar Thomas Bilger said.

Bilger said Ball State recognizes the confidentiality of Social Security numbers.

"This change should stop the prolific use and display of employee and student Social Security numbers," he said.

Bilger explained that for decades, like many other universities, Ball State had used Social Security numbers as individual identification for anyone associated with the university.