Students have yet another number to memorize — their emplid.

The registrar began assigning the 7-digit emplid in November to phase out the use of the social security number as the primary identifying number for Northwestern students. Now, students can find their emplid by logging onto CAESAR and following a link at the top of the Web page.

The Office of the Registrar e-mailed students their emplids last year but decided to make the number available on CAESAR after students whose professors posted grades alongside the emplid inundated the office with phone calls.

Social security numbers previously served as students’ ID numbers, but that practice is slowly being replaced at NU, according to University Registrar Suzanne Anderson.

For example, international students have the first WildCARDs with emplids printed on them. The WildCARD office plans to print freshmen’s cards with the new number next Fall Quarter and faculty cards for Spring Quarter 2002.

Anderson said the registrar will continue to keep the social security numbers in the system for financial information and so alumni can use the system in the future.

“In 10 years when you come back, are you going to remember your social security number or your emplid?” Anderson said.