New student IDs contain microchips and a U.S. Bank debit strip

Starting on Nov. 1, all DU students, faculty and staff will be required to have the newest version of the Pioneer ID Card, which went into service beginning this school year for updated security and convenience.

The new ID cards will work in conjunction with a new security system to be installed first on the Department of Campus Safety building and eventually all on-campus residence halls. The new system will function similarly to the Regional Transport District (RTD) passes given to all DU students.

According to Director of Student Financial Services Janet Burkhardt, this also means the ID cards will move away from magnetic strip technology towards microchip-embedded cards.

Burkdarht also stated that after Nov. 1, all older Pioneer ID Cards will be deactivated.

“We will collect them and destroy them for people,” said Burkhardt. “But if anyone really wants to keep it for a scrapbook or memento, they’re welcome to keep it.”

The new ID carries technology not seen in prior ID cards, including a gold magnetic strip for all DU transactions as well as a black magnetic strip for transactions supported by the recently opened U.S. Bank here at DU.

Burkhardt further stated that while the cards will be transitioned into touch access devices, the magnetic strips will remain for students to access their on campus housing locations.

Burkhardt also stressed the importance of taking care of the cards, especially not hole punching the cards for any reason so that students and staff may avoid potential fees incurred to acquire a new card.

The card contains more electronics than last years incarnation, and becomes permanently damaged when hole punched.

“Because of the new technology, the [blank] card itself costs a lot more because of the embedded chips,” said Burkhardt. “That’s the cost of the replacement for a single card. We wanted to buy cards that had all the features we wanted while being cost effective to the University.”

Students can pick up their new ID cards in the Pioneer ID Office in Driscoll Student Center South. The first pickup for the new Pioneer ID is free upon presentation of a valid photo ID. Any further replacements needed after that will carry a fee of 30 dollars.

For more information, contact the Pioneer ID Card Office at (303) 871-4545 or by emailing pcard@du.edu.