The fee to replace a lost, stolen or damaged Tower Card has risen from $5 to $20 according to San José State’s website.
A Tower Card is an SJSU student’s identification card. Tower Cards not only verify a student's status as a member of SJSU, but also gives students access to academic and student-housing buildings on campus according to the same website.
This includes access to a variety of services available specifically to students such as the Spartan Recreation Aquatic Center, dining commons and camera rentals, according to the SJSU website.
User Experience Head Michael Condon, said SJSU requires all students to have a Tower Card, because they are essential in accessing library services such as renting books, computers and printing out assignments.
"The Tower Card raise puts students in a tricky situation, especially the students who don't have extra cash to purchase a second or third Tower Card," Condon said. "Is it really necessary to raise the price on (Tower Card)?"
Incoming undergraduates, freshmen and transfers, are asked to submit a photo via SJSU's online portal, according to a website from the Bursar’s Office.
Once the photo is approved, students receive their Tower Card during orientation for free.
Political science junior Chima Nwokolo said it's ridiculous that the price to replace a Tower Card rises every time a student loses their card.
"I don't think that's suitable for students,” Nwokolo said. “Not everyone can afford that type of money to replace something so important to us students."
Nwokolo said he thinks students should be able to replace their Tower Cards for free the first time they lose, but if it is lost multiple times, the university should just charge a flat rate of $5.
"Twenty dollars is way too much money and going up to fifteen dollars every time is inconvenient for us students," Nwokolo said. "I just don't think it's fair for us to have to pay for a Tower Card if we accidentally misplace it or if it gets lost or stolen."
Political science senior Alejandro Barajas said students shouldn't have to pay for any additional Tower Card because tuition is already incredibly expensive.
"As a student here, I imagine I shouldn't have to pay for anything here that should be free,” Barajas said. “Even $5 is too much to pay. I would imagine shortcomings like that would be free."
Barajas said physical Tower Cards are nice to have, especially when they're free, but if students lose it, they should be able to access their Tower Card digitally through their phone or some type of app.
Business sophomore Riccardo Scarafia said he's been fortunate enough to have never lost his Tower Card, but has soccer teammates who have lost their card.
"I think it's good to have a fee every time you lose the (Tower Card) because it keeps us students responsible," Scarafia said. "I don't agree with a $20 fee, but we should be charged about $5 everytime we misplace it."
