Guest cards are anonymous debit account cards that can be used at any location that accepts the UCard as payment and uses Magnetic Stripe readers. (Vending and newer laundry readers will not work with Guest Cards as they don't read magnetic stripes.) Guest Cards are reusable, and additional cash deposits can be made to a Guest Card using one of the six Value Plus kiosks located across campus.
Guest Cards were designed primarily with visitors and local library users in mind, since these individuals do not have UCards. Students, faculty, and staff should refrain from using Guest Cards, and should use their UCard debit accounts instead whenever possible.
Get a Guest Card
You can get a Guest Card at any of the six Value Plus kisosks on campus:
- W.E.B Du Bois Library (lower floor)
- Physical Sciences Library (Lederle Graduate Research Center, 2nd floor)
- Campus Center (main floor, in front of Harvest)
- Hampshire Dining Hall
- UCard Office (Whitmore Administration Building)
Please note that you must make an initial deposit of at least $1.00 to get a Guest Card. Also, please remember to swipe your Guest Card once it comes out of the kiosk, as this puts your initial deposit onto your card.
How is a Guest Card Different from a UCard?
Guest Card debit accounts are inferior to UCard debit accounts in several important ways:
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Guest Cards are anonymous. If you lose or damage your Guest Card or leave the University, you forfeit any remaining funds on the Guest Card: Meanwhile, if you damage or lose your UCard, you can get a replacement and immediately accessed your UCard Debit Account. If you leave the University with a balance of more than $10 on your account, you will receive a full refund.
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Guest Cards have limited deposit options: Guest cards can only accept cash deposits at one of the six Value Plus kiosks on campus, whereas there are several ways to make a UCard deposit.
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Guest Cards cannot be suspended: While you can suspend your UCard, Guest Cards cannot be suspended. There is no way to prevent someone else from using your funds should they get access to your Guest Card.
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Guest Cards will not work with campus vending machines or laundry machine: The cards are magnetic stripe only cards and will not work with campus vending machines or laundry room controllers.
What should I do if I Find an Abandoned Guest Card?
If you find an abandoned Guest Card, you should return it to the UCard Office either in person or via campus mail.
A Department Copy/Print Card is a debit card purchased by an academic or administrative department solely for the purpose of printing and/or photocopying materials at locations with pay-for-print/pay-for-copy systems that interface directly with the UCard system. A Department Copy/Print card is tied to the department purchasing the card rather than to an individual. The department owning the card is entirely responsible for its proper use.
Get a New Department Copy/Print Card
To request a Deparment Copy/Print Card, submit a Department Copy/Print Card Request Form. In 1-2 business days, you will receive an email indicating that your new Department Copy/Print Card is ready to be picked up. The amount of the original deposit plus $1.00 for the card itself will be recharged to your deparment at the end of the month. Please note that it may take up to one business day before your card will work at printing locations operated by OIT.
Deposit funds to a Department Copy/Print Card
To add more funds to a Deparment Copy/Print Card, submit a Department Copy/Print Card Request Form. In 1-2 business days, you will receive an email indicating that your deposit was completed successfully. Deposited funds can be used immediately. The amount of your deposit will be recharged to your department at the end of the month.
Five College Students
Most Five College Students do not qualify for UMass Amherst UCards. However, they may need access to certain card-based services while on campus. Depending on the student's particular status and needs, these are the cards available to them:
- Five College Engineering Students Living on Campus - During the year that Five College Engineering Students live on campus, they qualify for UCards. All they need to do is come to the UCard Office with current photo ID, and they will be issued UCards, which can be used for both meal plans and door access. Outside of the year they live on campus, they would not qualify for UCards, though they may qualify for other.
- Five College Students Taking Classes on Campus - During the semester that Five College Students are taking classes on campus, they may qualify to eat and/or access buildings with a UMass Amherst issued card.
- Students needing to eat on campus should go the Meal Plan Office located in Worcester Dining Hall. The Meal Plan Office will issue qualified Five College Students UMass Dining Cards that will allow them to eat while they are taking classes on campus.
- Students needing door access because of their classwork should have their department Security Access Coordinator (SAC).
- Five College Students Working/Volunteering on Campus - Students working or volunteering on campus that require a card for door access should have their department Security Access Coordinator (SAC) request a Visitor Door Access Badge and appropriate access privileges from the Facilities & Campus Services.
Mount Ida Campus
Mount Ida students, employees, and NENS can request new or replacement UCards by submitting the Remote Mail/Print UCard Request Form.