General Campus Card

All new cards take approximately 5 minutes to be processed by our computer system; after that, your card will be fully activated.

While hair coverings worn daily as religious observation is allowed, your Campus Card must have an unveiled photo (i.e. your full face must be visible). Individuals must also present valid government issued photo identification (unveiled).

Persons who wear a niqab or burka should visit the Campus Card Office, and a female staff member will photograph and verify the individual’s identity in a private room. To ensure that there is female staff member available we encourage that an appointment be scheduled in advance by contacting campuscard@carleton.ca.

Campus Cards no longer have an expiry date. Instead, they are printed with the date of issue (the day they are produced). Going forward, your student account will expire only after you have completed your studies.

To get your Campus Card, you will need…

• Your Carleton ID number
• Valid government photo Identification (e.g. driver’s license, passport, age of eligibility card, gov’t work ID) matching your legal name and,
• Current eligibility for the card.

Please note that you may NOT send someone else to pick up your card, and copies or images of government ID are not acceptable.

Your first card is free, and you get a free replacement when it expires (check the date on the back of your card). Replacement cards due to loss or damage cost $44.00 (taxes included), and once a card is replaced your old one will no longer work. This fee is not refundable.

If you meet these requirements, you may have your card made!

If you’re having problems when trying to use your card, you should contact the Campus Card Office during regular office hours, so they can help determine what’s wrong and find a solution.

Please note the issue may not be with the physical card, so replacing it may not be the outcome of your visit.

A free replacement will not be provided if:

• Testing the card in the Campus Card Office shows that it is functioning. (Your card can be read by all three reader types available at the Campus Card Office on the first try.)
• The card shows signs of undue wear and tear or purposeful damage.

If you are having issues with your card at one particular location only, please have a Carleton employee from that office or department contact us at campuscard@carleton.ca.

Your Campus Card is durable, and built to last many years. Still, a little prevention can significantly reduce the probability of requiring a new card.

• Do not tamper with the picture or information on the card.
• Keep your Campus Card away from wireless chargers, magnets and computers.
• Do not bend or punch holes in your card.
• Keep the card away from excessive heat.
• Do not scratch the card – if the writing is illegible, the card will not be accepted.
• Do not put the card through the washing machine or dryer.
• Do not use the card as a windshield scraper.
• Do not use your teeth (or your pet’s teeth) to hold your card.
• Above all, do not lose your card, as the encoded information is yours alone.

Cards that show undue wear and tear or purposeful damage will cost $44 to replace.

Please allow us to email you letting you know your photo was approved. We will also let you know when and where to pick up your card(s) at that time.

Make sure you’re checking your Carleton email! If your photo was declined, we will let you know and you can re-submit.

For most of the year this will take about 3 days to receive a reply, but in busier periods it could take a week.

If you are moving into Residence, or participating in Summer Orientation, you do not need to make a separate trip to pick up your cards.

If you are also eligible for a U-Pass, you will receive it at the same time.

Students

You are eligible as soon as you are registered in any course(s) for the current or upcoming term.

Alumni

Should contact Carleton Alumni at cu_proud@carleton.ca to receive a card by mail. If you are actively visiting campus, you may visit the Campus Card office directly instead.

Faculty and Staff

Before coming to the Campus Card Office, please check whether you are ready to pick up your card! We are unable to create a card until you are properly set up in Banner.

1. Log in to Carleton Central.
2. Navigate to the “Employee Services” page.
3. Select “CampusCard Availablity Check”.

Not all staff and faculty will immediately be eligible for a Campus Card. If you have accepted a casual or term position and require a card to access spaces where a card reader is installed, please see “Affiliates” below.

Grant appointees, Adjunct Professors, and Research Associates do not receive a Campus Card. You can arrange for library access directly with the library by presenting a letter of introduction from their sponsor or department. There is no access to the Athletics facility available for these appointees unless the sponsor or department pays the fee structure as directed by Athletics. If payment is made, then an Athletics access card is prepared by Athletics.

Affiliates

Employees who are not entitled to a staff card, but require access to labs and buildings where a card reader is installed, will need to apply for an affiliate card with Campus Safety Services annually. Please note that if you are also a Carleton alumnus/a you will instead receive an Alumni card (see above).

The Campus Card is the official Carleton University identification for use while on campus.

Its features extend far beyond a simple ID – it’s your library card, gym card, campus debit card, and door access card – all in one!

All locations that accept the Campus Card can be found here, and it is the only method of payment accepted for laundry and public printers.

Students who will be coming to Ottawa in Fall 2023 or Winter 2024:

• Students living in Residence will receive their card(s) at move in provided they have met all deadlines communicated by Housing.
• Students not living in Residence may pick up their cards starting August 21, 2023.

Students who do not plan to be in Ottawa still do not require a Campus Card. We do NOT mail cards. If you are not in Ottawa, please review your options for opting out of the U-Pass program.

Students who are not accessing on-campus resources (Athletics, Library, door access to Residence or labs) do NOT need to pick up a Campus Card.

If you are picking up your card(s), please check our current process. We strongly urge new students, staff, and faculty to review the Get Your Campus Card page in advance to verify eligibility and submit a photo. If applicable, we will provide eligible students with their U-Pass at the same time.

Yes! If you just added a Chosen Name through Carleton Central, or legally changed your name with the Registrar’s Office (students) or HR (staff / faculty), you are entitled to a free replacement of your Campus Card with the return of your existing card!

Please allow one business day for the change to show in our system, and remember you will need to give back your old card(s) to get the new one(s).

• Check what you need to bring
• Get your card