What information does my U Card carry?

The U Card has a network of wiring, chips, and magnets in it that come together to connect to your identity on campus. Looking for the various accounts your U Card connects to? View our accounts page.

Is my U Card compatible with transit?

If you have a vertically printed U Card, check the right side on the back for a 16-digit MiFare number (shown below). If you have this number, your card is compatible. If not, your card will need to be replaced. Classic (horizontally printed) U Cards are incompatible with transit and must be replaced. 

Current U Card

The below U Card design was launched in August 2023. Older card designs are available below as well.

The front and back of a U Card showing numbers 1-2 on the front and 3-8 on the back.

Legend:

  1. Preferred name
  2. Role (students) or department (staff)
  3. Role(s)
  4. University ID number
  5. U Card number
  6. Print date
  7. iClass (smart card) number
  8. MiFare (transit) number

Other U Card Layouts

Expand all

2000-2013 | Classic (Horizontal) U Cards

A diagram of the U Card design prior to 2015. The card is horizontal with lines of text. The first line is role and ID number, second is U Card number, third is name, fourth and fifth is library number, and sixth is the print date. The front also contains the photo of the cardholder. On the top right of the back is the smart card number.

2014-2023 | Updated (Verticle) U Cards

The front of your U Card shows your name, image, and role/department. The back of your U Card contains other data:

U Card back showing role (center top), ID Number (center center), U Card Number (Center bottom), Print Date (bottom left), iClass number (top right) and MiFare Number (middle right)

Details

Your Role

This shows your role within the University, whether it be staff, academic staff, affiliated staff, retiree, or student.

Your University ID Number

All individuals (with the exception of affiliated staff) will have a University ID Number. This number is a unique 7-digit code, specific to you.

Your U Card Number

This is the number encoded onto your U Card, connecting your card to the University system and to your identity.

iClass Number

(Also referred to as "smart card" or "proximity" number) - this is the "tap" number on your U Card and is used to associate you to multiple university systems, including door access and Gopher GOLD.

MiFare (Transit) Number

This associates your card to the Metro Transit system. Staff can use their U Card for the Employee Transit Pass, and students use it for the Universal Transit Pass.

The MiFare number was not added to the back of U Cards prior to July of 2016.

Print Date

This is the date your U Card was printed and is used to evaluate your card by our office.