Services offered by i-card Programs

i-card Programs is a part of Treasury Operations, a part of University of Illinois System Offices. i-card Programs is responsible for managing and overseeing the provision of University Identification Numbers (UINs) and identification cards, mobile identity credentials, key fobs, and other physical and mobile tokens for all University of Illinois System locations.

i-card Programs is the data owner of the UIN. UINs are generated, assigned and permanently maintained by the i-card system. The data requirements to generate a UIN are determined by the i-card Programs Office.

The i-card, both physical and mobile representations, are the System's official identification instrument and the primary token(s) used to verify status as a member of the System community. The i-card and other card/token types are the property of the System and are distributed subject to the policies of the i-card Programs Office.

The System's intent is to minimize the number and variety of cards or tokens that people need to access System services. Likewise, another System goal is to utilize one token per person for authorization and access to services, when possible. These System objectives shape the responsibilities for i-card Programs:

  • Manage and steer how i-cards, ID cards, mobile identity credentials, and other tokens are developed and used for door access and other services across the System.
  • Manage and oversee the development and use of cards and tokens that are not assigned to individuals. Examples include, but are not limited to, value cards, conference cards, and department cards and key fobs.
  • Manage or advise university ID Centers and carding stations.
  • Oversee and manage the production of all tokens, regardless of the technology used (such as magnetic stripe, proximity antenna, biometrics, mobile credentials, smartcard chips, or bar code).
  • Generate, assign, and manage UINs.
  • Own and manage institutional identity data and determine the data requirements to generate a UIN. (Institutional identity data consists of UIN, last name, first name, middle name, name suffix and prefix, date of birth, and gender.)

i-card Programs, ID Centers, and carding stations may charge a reasonable fee to provide a card, mobile identity credential, or token. Fees are structured to recover costs for card/token system infrastructure and services including hardware, software, supplies, maintenance, support, and development.

Last Updated: October 3, 2019 | Approved: Senior Associate Vice President for Business and Finance | Effective: January 2002