QUESTION: What is the CatCard?
ANSWER:
The CatCard is the official University of Arizona identification card.
All students, faculty, and staff affiliated with the university need to carry the CatCard for identification. The CatCard features a
digitized photo, digitized signature, SmartChip, and magnetic stripe. The CatCard also allows a wide range of on-campus
services such as Meal Plans, photocopying, printing, parking, and laundry. In addition, the CatCard verifies electronic status on campus.
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QUESTION: How is the CatCard used on campus?
ANSWER:
The CatCard is used for:
- Library Card
- Building Access
- Meal Plans
- Identification and Status
- Vending Machine Purchases
- Dorm Laundry Access
- Photocoping and Printing Services
- Campus Recreation Center Access
- Paying for Parking at campus garages
- UA Athletics Zona Zoo Pass purchase verification
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QUESTION: What are the components of the CatCard?
ANSWER:
The components of the CatCard are:
- Digitized Picture
Used for identification.
- Digitized Signature Used for identification.
- Randomly assigned ISO # Used for a variety of services offered with the CatCard.
- SmartChip Used for small $$ purchases, such as vending and/or copies.
- Magnetic Stripe (on back) Used for building access, verifying status, and meal plans.
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QUESTION: What is an ISO#?
ANSWER:
The ISO# is a unique, computer generated, 16-digit number used with some campus systems of the CatCard. This # will appear on the face of the CatCard. If the CatCard is lost or stolen, a new ISO# will be generated when the card is replaced, and the old ISO# will be permanently cancelled.
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QUESTION: What is the SmartChip and how is it used?
ANSWER:
The SmartChip is located on the front of the CatCard. The SmartChip is a multi-application chip that has the ability to store a prepaid value directly on the card. You can load up to $100 on the
SmartChip. Prepaid value can be added in increments of $1, $5, $10, or $20 at
Cash-to-Chip machines
located around campus. The SmartChip does not access existing Meal Plan accounts or bank accounts.
Use this prepaid value at photocopiers, printers, snack and beverage machines, laundry machines, parking garages and at various on-campus vendors. Please be aware that your stored value is just that, stored directly on the SmartChip. If you lose your CatCard you may lose the stored value. However, unlike cash, you have a good chance of getting your CatCard back since it contains your identification.
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QUESTION: How can I add value to my SmartChip?
ANSWER:
The only way to add value to your SmartChip is through
Cash to Chip machines located in a variety of places on campus. You must put your CatCard and cash into the machine and the value will be transferred immediately to your SmartChip.
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QUESTION: How do I know how much money I have on my SmartChip?
ANSWER:
Insert your CatCard in any SmartChip reader to see your SmartChip balance. Press the return key to retrieve your CatCard. Each time you use your SmartChip, the beginning balance, the amount of the transaction and the remaining balance will all show on the reader.
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QUESTION: What is the Magnetic Stripe and how is it used?
ANSWER:
The Magnetic Stripe is the large black stripe on the back of the CatCard. The Magnetic Stripe is a multi-functional stripe that can be used for the following services:
- Identification
- Library Card
- Campus Recreation Center Access
- Meal Plans
- Building Access
- UA Athletics Zona Zoo Pass purchase verification
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QUESTION: Does the University of Arizona encode personal data on the CatCard?
ANSWER:
Your University ID# (usually your Student or Employee ID#) will not appear on the face of your CatCard, but will be encoded electronically on your card, unless you request otherwise.
Your University ID#, if you elect to include it on the CatCard, is used for University of Arizona internal purposes, such as student and/or personnel services where access to your records is required.
The number will not be provided to outside entities without the cardholder's prior consent.
Your decision to use this number as an electronic form of identification is voluntary, and you may request that your University ID# not be encoded on your card.
The CatCard Office will then replace your University ID# on the CatCard database, the magnetic stripe, and the SmartChip with an ID# consistent with current CatCard policies.
This will disable certain functions of the card until all existing University systems are based on the new 16-digit ISO number, or some other numerical primary identifier.
Cardholders will not be deprived of services for not providing their ID#, however they will have to get those services via a different, possibly slower and/or possibly less confidential, disclosure of relevant information.
SmartChip Contents
(Card Front):
Name
University ID# (or replacement #)
ISO#
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Magnetic Stripe Contents
(Card Back):
Name
University ID# (or replacement #)
ISO#
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Smart Chip
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 Magnetic Stripe
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QUESTION: What other information is on the SmartChip?
ANSWER:
The available SmartChip balance and the last 10 SmartChip monetary transactions are stored on the SmartChip.
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QUESTION: Does the CatCard Office keep the digitized photos and signatures on file?
ANSWER:
Yes, the CatCard Office does keep the digitized photos and signatures stored exclusively in the CatCard database. This allows for instant card replacement. The photo and signature also give us an additional means of identifying persons requesting replacement cards.
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QUESTION: Will the University of Arizona purge my digitized photo and signature from the database if I ask them to?
ANSWER:
Yes, the University of Arizona will purge the signature and/or the photo if requested, however, many cardholders have expressed support for digitization simply because it allows the University of Arizona to validate appropriate account usage more quickly. It also allows instant card replacement, and serves as an additional identifier; something other than the SSN. The University of Arizona does not intend to release either photographs or signatures in the database.
If your photograph is removed from the CatCard database, you must be present in the CatCard Office with a valid PHOTO ID, and re-take your photo if it becomes necessary to replace your card.
If your signature is removed from the CatCard database, and it becomes necessary to replace your CatCard, you must be present in the CatCard Office to recreate the digitized signature. If your signature is not imprinted on your CatCard, it cannot be used to validate your signature campus wide; another form of ID may be required. Should you wish to add a digital signature after the card is printed, a new card will be issued at an additional cost to you.
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QUESTION: What should I do if my CatCard is lost or stolen?
ANSWER:
To report a lost or stolen CatCard with a Meal Plan balance, call 621-7043 (option 1) immediately. You should also call the Library Circulation Desk 621-6406 to have your library account frozen. In the event that someone returns your CatCard, the CatCard Office will notify you through your University email account. You will need to come by the CatCard Office to retrieve your card. Please be prepared to give us your Student or Employee ID# for verification purposes.
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QUESTION: Will I be charged for a replacement card?
ANSWER:
Lost or stolen cards will be replaced for $25.00.
The $25.00 fee will be waived if a COPY of the POLICE REPORT is produced within 90 days
of issuance and it states that your CatCard or wallet was stolen. Changes to your CatCard
(name change, number change, photo change, etc…) will be made for a replacement fee of $25.00. Damaged CatCards will be replaced for $25.00.
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QUESTION: Do I lose my Meal Plan funds if my CatCard is lost or stolen?
ANSWER:
Meal Plan balances will be frozen once you have reported your card lost or stolen (621-7043 {Option 1}). When you receive your replacement card, the Meal Plan funds will be transferred to your new card. To minimize possible losses, it is vital to report the loss or theft of your card as soon as possible.
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QUESTION: Do I lose the stored value on my SmartChip?
ANSWER:
Stored value is just that, stored, directly on the SmartChip. If you lose your CatCard you may lose the stored value. However, unlike cash, you have a good chance of getting your CatCard back since it contains your identification.
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QUESTION: Where can I get more information?
ANSWER:
For additional information or questions Please consult our staff in the CatCard Office:
U of A CatCard Office
P.O. Box 210017
Student Union Rm. 278
1303 E. University Blvd
Tucson, Arizona 85721
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Phone Number
(520) 626-9162
Fax Number
(520) 626-9161
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