New Card FAQs for Operational Communications
 

Topics

• What does the new i-card look like?
• What is different about new i-cards?
• Why has the design changed?
• When are new i-cards available?
• Where is the library bar code?
• Where is the UIN?
• Has the magnetic stripe changed?
• Which cards were changed?
• Which cards were not changed?
• How can I tell which campus an i-card is from?
• May a University department still hold cards as a part of normal operations?
• May invalid i-cards still be confiscated?
• What is "recarding"? When will it occur?
• How much does a new i-card cost?

What does the new i-card look like?

Each campus i-card now has its own unique look.

Chicago

Springfield

Urbana-Champaign

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What is different about new i-cards?

All new i-cards function the same as the current i-cards. That being said, the significant changes are:

• Magnetic stripe encoding was updated to allow student i-cards to function as an ATM and debit card with a TCF checking account.
• Campus-specific colors, logos, and photos highlight each campus and uniquely identify its i-card design.
• Cardholder information is larger and easy to read.
• The library bar code has been moved to the back of the card
• The phone number and email address for the appropriate campus ID Center is printed on the back.
• A large i-card logo clearly identifies these new IDs as i-cards.

Why has the design changed?

There are several reasons:

• To add required technical functionality. Because of the University's partnership with TCF Bank, student i-cards must be able to function as PIN-based debit cards. That partnership and functionality required adding financial logos to student i-cards and updating some data encoding.
• To improve card usability. All new i-cards function as reliably as always, and information on the i-card was reorganized to be easier to read.
• To update the card design. The i-card design has not changed significantly since 1996. Campus leaders who collaborated and consulted on the new design agreed that it better identifies each campus and better serves cardholders' and card service providers' needs.

When are new i-cards available?

You may see new i-cards as early as Monday, May 14, 2007, when the new design will be put into production at campus ID Centers. From that point on, all newly issued i-cards (including replacements) will bear the new design. A phased recarding effort will begin this fall to issue new cards to all eligible students, faculty, staff, and other i-card holders. More information about recarding plans will be available soon.
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Where is the library bar code?

The library bar code is now on the back of the i-card, just above the narrow stored value stripe on the bottom of the card. A shorter bar code has saved space without impacting effectiveness at bar code readers. The library number is labeled and remains on the card front.
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Where is the UIN?

The University Identification Number is labeled and printed near the bottom left of the new i-card.
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Has the magnetic stripe changed?

Yes. To enable student i-cards to function as PIN-based debit cards, the magnetic stripe encoding was updated. For more information about mag-stripe changes, contact i-card Programs.
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Which cards were changed?

The i-cards redesigned for each campus are as follows:

Chicago's New i-cards Undergraduate Graduate Faculty/Staff Retiree Emeritus/Emerita

Springfield's New i-cards Student Faculty/Staff Retiree Emeritus/Emerita

Urbana-Champaign's New i-cards Undergraduate Graduate Faculty/Staff Retiree University Related Organization

Remember: Only ID cards with the official i-card logo on them are i-cards.

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Which cards were not changed?

The front design and functionality of all other campus cards and tokens remain unchanged.

Chicago cards Name badges Visitor Conference Emergency replacement Department cards Test and security cards University police Retired University police Retired University police Special User

Springfield cards Name badges Visitor Conference Emergency replacement Department cards Test and security cards Value cards

Urbana-Champaign cards Name badges Visitor Conference Emergency replacement Department cards Test and security cards University High School Paper IDs

The backs only of some cards have been updated to the new campus-specific design--without bank logos.
New card design details (front and back) are available in PDF format on our downloads page.
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How can I tell which campus an i-card is from?

For new i-cards, look at the left, top, and right side of the card:

• Left. A wide band of "campus color" identifies each campus: Chicago's color band is red, Springfield's color band is silver, and Urbana-Champaign's color band is orange.
• Top. The campus logo is just above the cardholder photo.
• Right. Notice the photo of a familiar campus landmark.

New cards
Chicago	Springfield	Urbana_Champaign

New card design details (front and back) are available in PDF format on our downloads page.

For current i-card, campus cues are above and beneath the cardholder's photo area:

• Above. The campus name is spelled out.
• Below. The campus abbreviation sits between campus-colored squares: red (UIC), blue (UIS), or orange (UIUC).

Current cards
Chicago	Springfield	Urbana_Champaign

May a University department still hold cards as a part of normal operations?

A University department may temporarily retain cards while a cardholder borrows equipment or materials. Many i-cards have some purchasing power associated with them. i-cards are already used for dining plans, and they may also have cash accounts or stored value associated with them. And starting in June 2007, student i-cards may function as ATM and debit cards. A PIN must be entered for i-card financial transactions, so it's unlikely a lost or stolen i-card may be misused for money.

The loss or mishandling of ID cards could cost cardholders great inconvenience, worry, and a $20 replacement i-card fee when the i-card is not found.

i-card Programs recommends that units handling ID cards:

• Keep cards in a secure location.
• Compare the card photo--and name too, if possible--to the person claiming it to ensure each card is returned to its rightful owner.

Electronic verification is the best way to validate a person's current University status. For more information about electronic verification options, contact i-card Programs.
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May invalid i-cards still be confiscated?

Even though some student i-cards may function as ATM/debit cards, University units may still confiscate invalid cards. The department should submit all confiscated cards to the campus ID Center according to current policies and procedures. Contact your campus ID Center for more information about invalid cards and confiscation.
Remember: Both new and current i-cards will be in circulation and must be accepted.
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What is "recarding"? When will it occur?

For the University, "recarding" means encouraging and enabling eligible cardholders to get new i-cards. A phased recarding effort is being planned for Fall 2007 to issue new cards to all eligible faculty, staff, students, and other i-card holders. Recarding venues and schedules will be communicated using many popular campus communication channels. Watch the "What's New" section of this website for details.

As each campus begins using the new i-card design, current i-cards will still be in use and must be accepted. i-card Programs will notify campus units before the current i-card design is officially retired and deactivated, which is not expected to occur before 2009.
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How much does a new i-card cost?

The cost for a new card remains unchanged:

• First i-cards are free for every eligible person.
• Replacement i-cards are free if yours is expired, is an outdated design, is worn from normal use, is defective in functionality, or if your name or status changes.
• As long as eligible cardholders surrender their old i-cards during recarding efforts, they will be able to obtain replacement cards (and the new design) free of charge.
• A $20 replacement applies when your card is damaged by misuse, lost, stolen, or if you don't surrender your expired or invalid i-card for a new one.