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 ID Card.

Students who are enrolled for classes during the Fall semester may stop by the office, Whittier Hall 1b,  to pick up their 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.

You may come to the Card Services Office, Whittier 1b, to take a picture.  We encourage everyone to upload a photo in advance so that the ID Card can be preprinted.  This will save you time and allow you to pick a photo of your choosing.

Once you place your card over the reader, one of two actions will occur: a flashing green light means access is granted, and a flashing red light means access was denied.

Under normal conditions, your TC ID Card should last until its expiration date. To ensure the durability and validity of the 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 card
• Do not tamper with the information or picture printed on the card
• Do not wash the card
• Do not use the card for any purpose it was not designed for 

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

There are card readers located throughout the College. Primarily, your University ID Card provides you access to the Whittier Hail Main entrance, Zankel Front Desk, Zankel Chapel Entrance/Exit, Thompson Entrance/Exit and the Grace Dodge Entrance from 121st Street. If there is a reader for which you need access, please contact us at tcidcard@tc.edu.  

Members of the TC community have access to Lerner Hall on the main campus of Columbia University. Enrolled students have access to the Dodge Fitness Center (DFC). TC employees, alumni, and family members of students and employees may purchase membership to have access to the DFC. All other request for access to CU buildings should be directed to CU Public Safety, psa-access@columbia.edu or 212-854-8500.