Fake IDs not turned over to administration

By Molly Leaverton

Contrary to signs visibly placed at local businesses, fake identification cards that are confiscated by store employees are not turned over to university officials.

Local businesses, including Safeway and Roundtable Pizza, do not notify Santa Clara administrators when students attempt to use fake IDs, management at both locations said.

"It is not our prerogative to notify the school, we leave that up to the authorities," said Amanda Serrano, the Alameda Safeway assistant manager.

After responding to situations involving Santa Clara students' use of fake IDs off campus, the Santa Clara Police Department likewise does not notify university administrators.

"The school is not notified because, if a student is found using a fake ID, the situation is between law enforcement, the courts and the student found with it," said Lt. Jim Buchanan.

Although there is no explicit policy, Santa Clara prohibits the use of fake IDs both on and off campus.

So far this year, four students have been caught with fake IDs on campus, compared to six last year.

Although administrators say fake ID use is not a huge problem at Santa Clara, some students see the use of fake IDs as a growing trend on campus.

"I wouldn't say it is necessarily a problem that students use fake IDs, but I would say that fake ID use on our campus is high and growing. When someone turns 21, they pass their fake on to the next person," said junior Lorraine Manawil.

According to Matthew Duncan, associate dean for student life, punitive action is dependent upon the seriousness of the violation.

Some of the past punishments given to students caught with fake IDs include: writing a paper that addresses the reasons for and against a drinking age, researching the criminal ramifications for fake ID use or organizing an alcohol-free social event.

Some, particularly those with previous judicial records, have been placed on disciplinary probation.

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the use of false identification to purchase alcoholic beverages is a misdemeanor and carries a penalty of 50 hours of community service, a fine of up to $1000, and suspension of his or her driver's license.

"No matter what the punishment or the probability of being caught, I think that students will always find a way to use fake IDs to purchase alcohol," said Manawil.

Contact Molly Leaverton at (408) 554-4546 or mleaverton@scu.edu.