This message is to alert you to new fee structures being implemented at the University's U Card Office. These new fees will affect faculty, staff and students. Effective June 1st, 2011, first time cards will include a fee of $10.
A first time card is the first U Card every new University community member receives. In the past, we have issued these first time cards at no charge, absorbing the continued increases in production expense.
Replacement card fees will increase from $20 to $25 by the end of second quarter in fiscal year 2012. Replacement cards are issued to card holders when their U Card has been lost, stolen, deactivated or damaged by the card holder.
These fees are being instituted due to the following:
1.) The increasing cost of smart card technology: The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, moved to smart card technology in 2008. This technology provides state of the art security for all community members. Costs for card production (plastics, ribbon, equipment and labor) continue to rise.
2.) A restructuring of U Card funding from the University: The University continues to fund a portion of U Card production, but this funding does not cover expenses in their entirety.
In addition, individuals will now be required to pay these restructured fees, rather than charging them to their departments. At this time, the University has elected not to allow departments to cover the first time card fee and/or replacement card fees. Please note sponsored accounts do not fall under this new policy.
The U Card Office continues to deliver identity authentication in the form of U Cards, the official identification card for the University of Minnesota; security badges; and specialty cards. The U Card also provides numerous benefits beyond identification authentication including mealplan balance and transactions, door access, laundry, printing, computer labs, time cards and banking services.
The U Card applications align with national trends pertaining to card issuance, identity authentication and more. We work closely with our vendors and national colleagues to assure that we're delivering the best card product that meets our campus's needs. We also strive to keep costs competitive and will continue to do so.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Cathy Morrison, Director
U Card Office
morri605@umn.edu
TINS transfers for academic year 2010/11 were processed on JE #296080 on May 9th. Please call Stacy Bonn at 6-5039 if you have any questions.
