Cardholder Agreements

The Unicard is more than simply an identification card or building access card. Services available to you through use of your Unicard are outlined on the Unicard website.

To use the declining balance (debit) feature of the Unicard, you may deposit money into your Uni Dollar account. Money deposited into this account may be used to make purchases at select locations on campus that are connected to the Unicard system. Money cannot be transferred between two cardholders' Unicards at any time.

Unicard operates in support of the provisions of the Excise Tax Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-15. The money you add to your Unicard is yours to spend, in its entirety, at all locations that accept the Unicard throughout your university career. Once money is loaded onto your account on your Unicard, it cannot be withdrawn as cash. It can be refunded to you at the end of each academic term (June 30 each year) or when the cardholder's status changes with the University of Calgary. This may include graduating, withdrawing or exchange student status.

The Unicard is non-transferable. You will not allow someone else to use your Unicard for identification, access, debit, transit pass, or for any other reason. Unauthorized use of your Unicard may result in suspension of university privileges and repossession of your Unicard. If you are involved in any illegal activity while using your Unicard or someone else's Unicard, you could be subject to criminal charges. Your Unicard will remain the property of the University of Calgary, and you agree to return your Unicard to the University of Calgary immediately upon request.

The Unicard office will not issue students, staff, or faculty a Unicard by mail. In order for your Unicard to be issued to you, you must come in person to the Unicard office and bring a physical piece of valid government-issued photo identification (driver’s licence, passport) with you. In rare cases where an external department representative issues you your Unicard, valid government-issued photo identification is still required. By initiating the Unicard issuance process (submitting your photo or having your photo taken for the purpose of issuing your Unicard), thereby utilizing the services accessible via the Unicard, you agree as a cardholder to be bound by this agreement.

Your photo is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and is required to create and issue your Unicard. Your photo is also used to verify your identity when you access services and privileges associated with the Unicard. Your photo may also be used for law enforcement purposes. If you have questions about the collection or use of this information, please contact the Unicard office.

Once issued to you, your Unicard is valid until cancelled or revoked. The University of Calgary has the right to cancel or repossess your Unicard at any time. Your Unicard must be on your person at all times while on campus and must be shown to any University of Calgary official when requested.

The Unicard office holds trusted partnerships and operating agreements with many businesses on campus. It is through these partnerships and agreements that your Unicard is accepted and products and services are offered in return. You agree by using the services accessible to you through your Unicard that you will treat all staff members at our various locations with respect and common courtesy. You acknowledge that reports of inappropriate conduct toward staff members will be investigated by the Unicard office, and, if required, will be referred to the Student Conduct Office. Pending the results of the investigation, sanctions may be imposed upon a cardholder or cardholders as appropriate.

The University of Calgary does not make any representations or warranties concerning the quality of goods purchased using the Unicard. The University of Calgary shall not be liable for any damages or expenses by reason of damage, injury, or death resulting from the goods purchased using the Unicard. If the cardholder is in overdraft position on his or her Unicard, the cardholder will be held responsible by the University of Calgary for that balance.

You agree to notify the Unicard office immediately if your Unicard is lost or stolen. You are responsible for all transactions made and services obtained through your Unicard until your Unicard is reported missing to the Unicard office. The University of Calgary will not be held responsible for any activity on a lost or stolen Unicard.

Do not punch holes in your card, as this may damage the wiring inside. A lost, stolen, defaced, or damaged Unicard is subject to a $20 replacement fee, collected from the cardholder at the Unicard office.

Only one Unicard is permitted for students, staff, and faculty. When a new card is created for you, your previous card will be automatically deactivated. If a deactivated card is found, it must be returned as soon as possible to the Unicard office.

As a Unicard holder, you may be eligible for a refund on your Unicard account. There are two instances when the monies may be refunded to the cardholder:

1. From April 15 through June 30 each year, a Unicard cardholder with monies remaining on their account from the current academic year (ends June 30 each year) can complete a Unicard Refund Request form to request a refund of the remaining balance.
2. The cardholder’s status changes with the University of Calgary. This may include graduating, withdrawing or exchange student status.

For all refund requests, the cardholder must submit the Unicard Refund Request form either online (by clicking “submit”) or filling out the form at the Campus Service Centre. The cardholder will be notified via email, with next steps, 10 business days after it is received. NOTE: requests submitted between April 15 and April 30 will be processed after May 1.

Residence students will have the credit placed on to their student account through Student Receivables.

Non-students, affiliates, and students not living in residence will have the monies refunded via debit or credit card.

Refund requests of $20 or less will not be refunded. The cardholder is encouraged to spend the funds at a location on campus or donate the funds to the Campus Food Bank.

This agreement is subject to revision in accordance with the Policies and Procedures of the Unicard office. Revisions in the policies and procedures governing the use of the Unicard will be advertised in the Unicard office and on the Unicard website, and are binding upon you as a cardholder. To obtain more information on the policies governing the use of the Unicard, please contact the Unicard office.

Revised April 2021

The Guest Unicard is more than a simple print and copy card. Services available to you through use of your Guest Unicard are outlined on the Unicard website.

To use the debit feature of your Guest Unicard, you must first deposit money into its Uni Dollars account using the Unicard kiosks on the main and downtown campuses. Guest Unicards purchased at Unicard kiosks have no stored value at time of date of sale. Money added to your Guest Unicard's Uni Dollars account may be used to make purchases at select locations on campus that are connected to the Unicard system.

The Guest Unicard may be used to access print, copy, Bookstore, and food services at the University of Calgary. Unauthorized use of your or anyone else’s Guest Unicard may result in suspension of University privileges and repossession of your Guest Unicard. Your Guest Unicard will remain the property of the University of Calgary, and you agree to return your Guest Unicard to the University of Calgary immediately upon request.

By purchasing your Guest Unicard, thereby utilizing the services accessible via the Unicard, you agree as Cardholder to be bound by the Guest Unicard Agreement.

Once issued to you, your Guest Unicard is valid until cancelled or revoked. The University of Calgary has the right to cancel or repossess your Guest Unicard at any time. The University of Calgary does not make any representations or warranties concerning the quality of goods purchased using your Guest Unicard.

The University of Calgary shall not be liable for any damages or expenses by reason of damage, injury, or death resulting from the goods purchased using your Guest Unicard.

If a Guest Unicard is lost or stolen, the Unicard financial office may be able to freeze the card before it can be used by an unauthorized party. A cardholder who does not register his or her Guest Unicard agrees to treat the Guest Unicard as if it were cash.

You agree to notify the Unicard office immediately via email if your registered Guest Unicard is lost or stolen. You are responsible for all transactions made and services obtained through your Guest Unicard from the date of sale. The University of Calgary will not be held responsible for any activity from a lost or stolen Guest Unicard. Lost, stolen, defaced, or damaged Guest Unicards are subject to a $10 replacement fee, collected from the cardholder at the Unicard office. Upon issuing a replacement, Unicard will transfer the existing balance from a registered Guest Unicard to the new Guest Unicard.

This Agreement is subject to revision in accordance with the Policies and Procedures of the Unicard Office. Revisions in the Policies and Procedures governing the use of the Guest Unicard will be advertised in the Unicard Office and on the Unicard website, and are binding upon you as a cardholder.

Revised September 2019