It's been taking a few more swipes than usual for some undergrads to get into their dorms.

A defect in some of the magnetic strips on the backs of Harvard identification cards has caused the strips to chip off, rendering the cards unusable for access into dorms or for swiping into meals.

"It had been flaking off for a while but I figured it was just wear and tear, said Miriam R. Asnes '02. "But then one day I just couldn't get into my building."

"Only swiping things don't work," she added. "You can still use the ids at at a library because they scan the barcode."

According to David Wamback, practice manager of ID, data and PIN services for the University, the problem has been traced to a faulty machine that the manufacturer uses to apply the magnetic stripes to the cards. He said this is the first year the problem has occurred.

"This year our manufacturer slipped up," Wamback said. "Some of the magstripes are flaking to one degree or another, making them unreadable upon extensive use. We are not pleased."

The Harvard Card is made of the same materials as a bank ATM card. As a result, the long-term wear and tear that the Harvard cards undergo leads the Harvard Office of Identification and Data Services to reissue some cards every year.

According to Wamback., a minority of students have reported problems with their card. He said the problem is easily remedied by issuing a new card to students at no additional cost.