WatCard

The WatCard is the Official Photo Identification Card for the University of Waterloo.

History
The first iteration of the WatCard was distributed in 1993 under the purview of Food Services. WatCards were first distributed to all new students in Fall 1995. WatCards replaced the previous student ID card, and eventually the VendaCard (On January 1, 1998 ). In 1997, the WatCard Office became a separate department. A system upgrade in 2001 allowed for colour photos and a web-interface so students could view their history online.

WatCard Office
The WatCard office was once in the General Service Complex. It was moved to the basement of the Student Life Centre on July 2-3, 1998.

Design
The design was changed in 2002. The WatCards had a picture of the Grad House for faculty and staff Watcards, and a picture of South Campus Hall was used on the undergraduate cards.

The current WatCard design and colour scheme was introduced in 2007.

Identification
The WatCard is the Official Photo Identification Card for the University of Waterloo. This means that the card is used for identification at events such as exams of students and inter-mural sports matches, among others. WatCards "must be carried at all times and presented to University Officials upon request." WatCards also carried the cardholder's Validation Sticker, until the stickers were phased out.

Payment
The WatCard also has a monetary debit account associated with it. Users are able to place "flexible dollars" in the account and use that credit at a variety of locations on and off campus.

UPASS
The WatCard also serves as a bus pass under the UPASS program. The WatCards of full-time undergraduate students allow for unlimited usage of the GRT transit system.

Residence Meal Plan
The WatCard is also associated with any residence meal plan balance that the cardholder may have. Users can pay for their meals in residence using their WatCard.

Library Card
A WatCard used for requesting materials from the university's libraries.

Residence Door Access
Doors in some residences are opened using a WatCard.

Classes of WatCard
There are different WatCards distributed for different types of cardholders.