Frequently Asked Questions
Hours of Operation
Fall through Spring
Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm
Summer
Mon - Thurs, 9am - 5pm
Fri, 9am - 1pm
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.
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 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, and Thompson Entrance/Exit. 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.