University Scans Student ID Cards to Take Attendance - Not so Widely Accepted

College has been legendary for high school students. High school students have listened to the stories that their older siblings tell about their college life with wide open eyes. All the stories of parties, football games, sleeping late, and, best of all, no attendance requirements.
[caption id="attachment_7638" align="alignleft" width="267" caption="Northern Arizona University, Photo Credit: Thesocialistesq "][/caption]
Well, the time has come for the above stories to become things of the past. Well, not the partying, but the no attendance requirements. That part is disappearing.

Northern Arizona University has begun using electronic scanners to track students' attendance at lectures. This means that if you don't show up, the university will know about it. Starting today - the first day of the academic year - students will be required to swipe their ID cards upon arrival at large lecture classes.

The university has been citing low graduation rates and large numbers of five-year students, so it seems to be secure in its decision. Many of the university's students are not, however.

A student told NPR, "I don't see why we need to be told what to do anymore, I feel like it's a move toward... treating us as though we were juveniles." This is, I think, a valid reason for disliking the change. After all, previously, if you did not attend a lecture, it was your problem. If you didn't know what was discussed, you could fail the exam. This made most students regularly attend their lectures.

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"We do have to say to a lot of students that it really is important that you do show up to class. You are not going to do well if you're not here," NAU associate professor Brandon Cruickshank told NPR.

If you are going to university, you usually have a reason for being there. Usually you go to university to study a subject so that you can accomplish something in life. If you have this reason for being there, you will usually show up.

I don't think that it should be up to the professor to punish you if you are late or don't show up. If you are in college, you should be responsible for yourself and your actions. You are the one, after all, whom it affects.