The students on campus are the people that make UD what it is, and almost everyone can agree that these students make up the unique community at Dayton. Unfortunately, some do not act like the good citizens of our community.

Although seemingly a small problem, the increased misuse of lost or stolen Campus OneCards this year has shown that some people are not respecting their fellow Flyers, like most do and everyone should.

Just because it is relatively easy to use someone's Flyer Express money or meal plan money, in no way does that mean you should. Finding or taking a person's Campus OneCard and using its debit or meal plan money is stealing. Even though a person may never see any hard cash if they use someone else's card, using it is clearly stealing. At one time someone did put money on the card for the owner's use, not for the use of someone who happens to find it on the ground or takes it from a found wallet.

UD and public authorities affirm this, too. Since the OneCard is like a credit card, its unauthorized use by an individual is a felony and is categorized as identity theft. Using the card is a crime that is punishable by jail time, a plea agreement, or mandatory counseling.

There are currently efforts to reduce the misuse of found cards, but the point is that public safety and dining services should not need to implement these new policies and practices. Students on campus should clearly know what to do and what not to do. If too many people blur this line, the good reputation for community Dayton is known for will be lost. Our community and student respectability is something that should be appreciated and contributed to throughout the year.

Abusing a person's Campus OneCard is not necessarily a huge, dire problem that faces the student body'no one is trying to dramatize the matter at hand'but the principle behind the thefts is really an issue everyone needs to remember. Respect your fellow Flyers.