FAQs

Students who are enrolled for classes during the Summer semester may stop by the office, Whittier 1b, to pick up their ID Card after May 1st.  All students must be registered for classes before picking up an University ID Card.

Students who are enrolled for classes during the Fall semester may stop by the office, Whittier Hall 1b,  to pick up their University ID Card beginning July 30. Preprinted ID Cards will be distributed during New Student Experience Orientation, but also may also be picked up during the ID Center's regular business hours.

Students, alumni, and employees may request their Teachers College ID card via mail if they reside in the United States and cannot pick up their ID in person. Identity and address verification are required, and requesters will need to send us a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Please note that we cannot mail ID cards internationally.

Once you place your University ID Card over the reader, one of two actions will occur: alternating green and red lights mean access is granted, and a single green flash then solid red light means access was denied.

Under normal conditions, your University ID Card should last until its expiration date. To ensure the durability and validity of the University ID Card:

• Keep it in a safe carrying case (such as a wallet or card holder)
• Keep it away from magnets and computers to avoid magnetic damage
• Do not punch holes in your University ID card
• Do not tamper with the information or picture printed on the University ID card
• Do not wash the University ID Card
• Do not use the University ID card for any purpose it was not designed for 

TC Academic Buildings - All members of the TC community are able to enter campus via the Zankel Hall main entrance, Milstein Chapel entrance, or the Thompson driveway. The main entrance to Whittier Hall is accessible to all members of the TC community when the College is open. 

TC Residence Halls - With the exception of the main entrance of Whittier Hall, all TC residence hails are only accessible to students who live in the residence halls and their family members who live with them. 

CU Morningside Campus - Access to Morningside Campus is controlled by CU, and may be restricted. For more information on CU campus access, please visit Columbia Public Safety at https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/content/morningside-campus-access-updates. All other request for access to CU buildings should be directed to CU Public Safety, psa-access@columbia.edu or 212-854-8500.

Timing can be affected by various circumstances, but for most unenrolled students who are not graduating, the student role will end on:

Graduating student roles will end within 72 hours of graduation; graduating students living in TC housing will retain their student roles until they move out.

Please note that an active student role does not guarantee card access, and access may be revoked before these dates. If an unenrolled student is neither graduating nor a continuing TC employee, loss of the student role will deactivate their TC ID card, regardless of the expiration date printed on the card.