The University of Nottingham has just decided to make blanket changes to infrastructure that will cause disruption right the way through the first term of the new year.

Over the summer all door card readers will be replaced on all UK campuses. You will be issued with a new University Card (as the new card will be known) which will provide access once a card reader has been changed. Nedap will start the production of these cards during August and your new card will be available for collection from your School Office.

You will need to retain and carry your existing Smartcard for a number of weeks as it will still be needed to gain entry through doors which have not yet been upgraded. You should also carry both cards for borrowing books from the library during the transfer period.

(http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/universitycard/intranet/students.htm)

Why couldn't they start production of the new cards in July and have them all ready in time for the new year? The way they've done it, this is really going to screw up the new Freshers who are going to have an old-style Smart Card and a new Uni Card to begin with.

How are they going to understand the difference? Why should they have to? They may even have to pay for both cards. All this is unnecessary if a little foresight is given to the project.