What are Guest Cards?
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.
Where do I get a Guest Card?
You can get a Guest Card at any of the six Value Plus kisosks on campus (Campus Map):
- Two are located in the W.E.B Du Bois Library (lower floor)
- One is located in the Physical Sciences Library (Lederle Graduate Research Center, 2nd floor)
- One is located in the Campus Center (main floor, in front of Harvest)
- One is located in Hampshire Dining Hall
- One is located in in the 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a Guest Card different from a UCard?
Guest Card debit accounts are inferior to UCard debit accounts in several important ways:
- Guest Cards are anonymous. If you lose or damage your Guest Card, you forfeit any remaining funds on the Guest Card. UCard debit accounts however, are associated with you, so if you damage or lose your UCard, you can get a replacement UCard, and immediately access your UCard debit account with your replacement card (the old card is deleted from the system and can never work again.) You forfeit nothing. Also, if you leave the University, your UCard debit account is closed and so long as you had a closing balance is equal to or more than $10.00, you will receive a full refund. There are no refunds for Guest Cards accounts.
- 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.
- Guest Cards cannot be suspended. If you lose or misplace your UCard, you can suspend it indefinitely , to prevent anyone else from using it. Guest Cards cannot be suspended. So there is no way to prevent someone else from using spending your funds should they somehow get access to your Guest Card.
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.