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What is building access?
Carnegie Mellon has implemented an ID Card access program in many buildings to limit public access after hours. Campus community members gain access to buildings (where permitted) and may unlock doors by swiping/tapping their ID card on the building card reader. Buildings are locked on weekends and between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays. Schedules may vary depending upon building tenant needs.

What buildings can I access with my ID Card?
There are numerous buildings on campus that may be accessed using your ID Card. The following buildings are locked after hours and require an active ID for entry:

How can I be sure my ID Card will work for building access?
When you receive your ID Card, the card number is entered into the database system that controls all appropriate building doors on campus. If your ID Card does not work and you need access to a building, please contact . You should then bring your ID Card to The HUB during regular business hours to have the card checked and access issue remedied, if necessary.

Can I access specific elevators and sections of academic buildings using my ID Card?
Many departments and academic buildings have secure areas that can only be accessed by designated students, faculty and staff. The HUB does not control access to these areas; students, faculty and staff members may request access by speaking to the specific department.

How much can I print?
Your $40 quota is a per semester allocation of printing resources equated to a dollar value and is available from the first day of classes through the day prior to the first day of classes for the subsequent semester.

How do I know how much I have left in my printing quota?
Printing quota balances can be monitored by visiting the . 

What if my printing is defective or jammed?
Refunds will not be issued for jammed or defective print jobs. The purpose of the print quota is to eliminate waste and encourage users to be conservative in their printing habits. Compared to other universities and other alternatives, our quota is generous and the cost per page is low.

What if I use my entire printing quota before the end of the semester?
If you deplete your $40 quota, you can pay for additional print jobs using your Plaid Cash account. See the Plaid Cash section of our website for details about how to make a deposit into your Plaid Cash account.

Am I able to receive a refund on my unused printing quota or if I have my own printer and will never use it?
Printing quotas are a perk provided to all students, staff and faculty; therefore, it is not something that you pay for. It is an allocation of printing resources that is equated to a dollar value of $40 per semester. As a result, no refunds will be given on printing quotas.

I'm having problems using my Plaid Cash for printing. Who do I contact?
If you are having printing problems, call a Computer Services staff member at 412-268-8776 or email it-help@cmu.edu to report printer problems. View more information regarding Plaid Cash printing issues.

How long is my ID Card valid?
Student ID Cards have expiration dates based on the graduation date listed on the student's account at the time of card printing. Faculty and staff have an expiration date of four years from the date of card printing and sponsored ID Cards may expire up to one year from the date of printing. 

What happens if I don't renew my ID Card?
An expired card may be used to access some campus resources such as parking, building access, the University Library System, Plaid Cash, and meal plans. Expired cards will not work for discounts offered by local merchants or Port Authority Transit. Please remember that you are responsible for your ID Card. If it is confiscated or lost, then you will be charged the appropriate fee. 

Can I use my current ID Card photo when I have my card renewed?
All cardholders are required to have a new photo taken in person at the ID Card services station in The HUB for any kind of ID Card replacement (i.e., renewal, lost card, stolen card, name change).

Can I get a new photo for my ID Card if I don't like the one that is on it now?
Yes. We can take a new photo taken in person at the ID Card Services station in The HUB. There is a $5 fee to take a new photo if the ID Card is not within 30 days of the expiration date listed on the card.

Will The HUB send ID Cards through campus mail? 
No. ID Cards cannot be delivered through campus mail. ID Cards may only be retrieved by the cardholder or an approved authorized designate. Departmental authorized designates are only accepted for distance learning students.

What is Plaid Cash?
Plaid Cash is a declining balance account to which you may add funds at any time. All student ID Cards are equipped with a Plaid Cash account. Plaid Cash may be used on campus at all Dining Services locations (including Entropy), at the University Bookstore*, and at the Art Store. In addition to using funds on campus, several local businesses accept Plaid Cash as a method of payment.  View other locations where Plaid Cash can be used.

*Plaid Cash can no longer be used to purchase textbooks in the bookstore, as they are no longer carried in-store and are purchased through a third-party vendor. 

How do I open a Plaid Cash account?
Plaid Cash may be added to a student's ID Card online through . View other Plaid Cash deposit options.

How does Plaid Cash work?
We record the amount of your deposit in your student account and in the Plaid Cash system under your ID Card number. Your ID Card number can be found on the front of your ID Card.

How do I use Plaid Cash?
To use your Plaid Cash account, present your ID Card to the cashier at any location Plaid Cash is accepted and request to make payment using your Plaid Cash funds. Your remaining balance is always reflected on the receipt after each transaction; you may also monitor your balance and detailed account transactions on .

Can I withdraw money from my Plaid Cash account?
You may not withdraw money from your Plaid Cash account. Please see the Plaid Cash Refund Policy for detailed refund information.

Can I use my ID Card as an ATM card?
Yes, your ID Card may be used as an ATM card if you open a new PNC Bank Free Checking Account for Students or have an existing account with PNC Bank. You can activate your ID Card to work like an ATM card to access your PNC Bank account at ATMs and wherever STAR or PLUS is accepted.

Is PNC Bank the only bank participating in the ID Card program?
Yes, PNC Bank is the exclusive banking partner of the ID Card program.

Will I be surcharged when I use my ID Card at an ATM?
No, you will not be surcharged by PNC Bank if you use your ID Card at a PNC Bank ATM. Other financial institutions or ATM operators may charge for using their ATMs. Additionally, PNC Bank charges may apply for using another financial institution's or ATM operator's ATM machine.

How can I link my ID Card to my PNC bank account?
Card linking can be done by a PNC Bank representative at a PNC Bank branch (visit the CMU campus branch, located in the lower level of the University Center, or the PNC Bank located on Craig Street). You may also link your account online using , or by calling 1-877-PNC-1000.

Do I need a PIN number for my ID Card to function at PNC Bank ATMs?
Yes, you will need a Personal Identification Number attached to your ID Card. Visit  for more information.

Where can I find out more about opening a PNC account and linking my ID Card?
Information regarding linking your PNC account to your ID Card may be found by visiting PNC Bank's website at .

Can I use my ID Card as a debit card at retail stores or other locations?
Yes, your card can be used as a ‘pinned' transaction at any vendor who accepts STAR or PLUS cards.

Can I make a purchase with my ID Card as a credit card?
No. For information about a free PNC Bank Visa Check Card, contact your local branch or call 1-877-PNC-1000.

How do I make copies in the University Library System?
You can make copies by using your Plaid Cash account, which is active on all student, staff and faculty ID Cards. Funds must be deposited into the Plaid Cash account. You may deposit funds and view your available balance through the .

Can I use my printing quota to make copies on campus?
No, the printing quota is only for printing. Once you are out of printing quota, you may use your Plaid Cash account for printing and copying.

How do I make copies if I do not have an ID Card?
Guests of Carnegie Mellon can purchase a Plaid Cash card from the Plaid Cash Value Transfer machines, also referred to as kiosks. Plaid Cash kiosks are located in Hunt Library near the circulation desk. Additional deposits to the card can be made any time at the Plaid Cash kiosk (in denominations of $5, $10, or $20). Plaid Cash can be used for both copy services in the University Libraries and computer printing (once you have exhausted your printing quota).

What do I do if my purchased Plaid Cash card doesn't work for copies?
Be sure to keep your receipt. If this occurs during The HUB's regular business hours, you may bring the card and the receipt to The HUB. If this occurs after hours, please take the card and the receipt to the Library's circulation desk.

How do I make copies for my department or for a research project?
Departments may use their campus Oracle string to assign Plaid Cash to a cardholder (student, staff or faculty) for departmental or research copying. This copying/printing allocation may be requested from The HUB. Further information can be found on the Departmental Plaid Cash page. This Plaid Cash assignment may only be used for copy services in University Libraries or computer printing. It may not be used for other purchases.

What if I lose a departmental Plaid Cash card?
Contact The HUB and we will attempt to determine which card number was issued to your department. If we are able to determine which card was lost, then we will issue a new card with a new number that will invalidate the lost card. The remaining balance will be transferred to the new card.

What do sponsored cardholders have access to?
Sponsored cardholders have access to athletic facilities and equipment, campus academic buildings, tickets for athletic events, concerts, films, and other activities (as long as they are not limited to students only), as well as university libraries borrowing privileges. Special program participants and conference attendees' university libraries borrowing privileges must be arranged in advance by the department sponsoring the program. Access to athletic facilities and equipment will be made available to conference participants for a fee determined by the Athletics department.

When do sponsored ID Cards expire?
Sponsored ID Cards expire one year from the date of issue. Cardholders may renew expired cards each year they are eligible by completing a new Sponsored ID Card Request form, exchanging the expired card, and paying the appropriate fee.