This year’s incoming freshman class was the first to be issued a new version of the University of Wisconsin’s student ID cards.

The new ID card, which features color photos, digitized signatures, the university crest and Bascom Hall in the background, is a far cry from its black and white predecessor.

According to Jim Wysocky, the Wisconsin Union program manager for WisCard, the new look resulted from updated ID-making equipment. The union received the old equipment in 1993 and is responsible for distributing the IDs.

Wysocky said the equipment no longer produced high-quality IDs, instead producing grainy photo images and cards that break easily.

“Basically, the timing was right to see if we couldn’t doll the cards up a little,” Wysocky said.

The cards now include a WisCard logo. Wysocky said he hopes this will help clear up confusion for new students who think they need a separate card for purchases at the unions.

Another improvement Wysocky identified was the increased durability of the new ID cards.

“I realize the old ones just weren’t holding up to student use and tended to break easily,” Wysocky said.

Sophomore Justin Myers, who has an old ID card, said he approves of the new design.

“They’re more interesting and closer to the cards that other schools have,” Myers said.

Wysocky said his favorite feature is the red sidebar that shows whether the cardholder is a student, faculty or staff member.