Massachusetts’ UCard system gets a reboot
10 September, 2012
category: Contactless, Education
The University of Massachusetts has completed upgrading its UCard to contain a contactless chip. The conversion, which began two years ago, is now using HID’s iClass technology that will enable students to gain access to their dorms.
The UCard is also designed to be the only card students will need while on campus. The university has replaced campus swipe readers in its dining services and retail services cash registers. It also has altered the technology within campus vending machines to enable their sensors to read the iClass cards. The new card readers’ installations also extend to campus convenience stores and laundry machines.
Students without a new UCard – like those who have not lived in dorms after 2009 – will need to get a new card if they’ve moved back on campus this year as all residential dormitories will only respond to the iClass card. Any student living off campus who wishes to use the campus vending machines must also upgrade.
“The system was at the end of its life,’ said a school administrator. “It was time to go out and see what else was out there.”
One of the reasons for the switch was that the magnetic stripe on the old cards was beginning to show signs of wear, forcing students to pay for a replacement card.
The school also switched to CBORD to handle its new campus card system..
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