Columbia University ID Center

The card readers at the guard desks display information about both approved and denied card swipe transactions. Depending on the nature of the swipe problem, there can be either one or two different messages displayed on the reader after a failed swipe transaction. Both messages are important in determining what problem may exist.

If the first message reads:

• SWIPE AGAIN

This message means that the magnetic strip on your card is not being read properly. Before you do anything else, make sure that this message is displayed with subsequent swipe attempts. This can be due to the magnetic stripe on your card being either dirty or damaged. You may try to clean off the magnetic strip with a little rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth. If that doesn't solve the problem, you will need to come to the ID Center in order to have your Columbia Card replaced. There is a $15 fee to replace both damaged and lost Columbia Cards.

• TRANSACTION INVALID

This message means that the information encoded on the magnetic stripe is correct, and that a decision has been made, which denied your access. Below is a list of messages that explain why the transaction did not go through.

If the second message reads:

• PRIVILEGE UNASSIGNED

This means that access into undergraduate residence halls has not been granted. Please visit the Facility Access Website to see if you are eligible for swipe access. If you have been granted swipe access and you still have this message displayed, please go to the Hospitality Desk in Hartley Hall to have it corrected.

• CARD INVALID L/S

This means that the card being swiped is not the most recently issued Columbia Card. You may not have an old card reactivated. If you do not have the most recently issued card, you will need to come to the ID Center to have your Columbia Card replaced. There is a $15 fee to replace both damaged and lost Columbia Cards.

• CARD DELETED

• CARD EXPIRED

• CARD NOT IN SYSTEM

• CARD SUSPENDED

These messages have different meanings, but all can only be resolved by coming to the ID Center.

The card readers at the front door of McBain, River, Ruggles, Watt, Woodbridge, and 47 Claremont have three indicator lights. They represent the following:

• Valid

This will light green if you have been granted the access privilege, and the door will unlock. Sometimes there might be a slight delay between swiping the card and having the indicator light illuminate. If the Valid light illuminates and the door does not unlock, please report the problem either to the guard on duty, or to the Hartley Hospitality Desk in Hartley Hall.

• Denied

This will light red if you have not been granted the access privilege into undergraduate residence halls. Please search Ask Us to see if you are eligible for swipe access into the undergraduate residence halls. If you have been granted swipe access and are still denied access, please go to the Hartley Hospitality Desk in Hartley Hall to have it corrected.

• Re-swipe

This will light yellow if there is a physical problem with your card. It could be due to a damaged, dirty, or incorrectly encoded magnetic stripe. You may try to clean off the magnetic strip with a little rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth. If that doesn't solve the problem, you will need to come to the ID Center to have it fixed. If you have to have your Columbia Card replaced, there is a $15 fee to replace both damaged and lost Columbia Cards.

The card readers on the room and suite doors in River Hall have one indicator light that will illuminate green, red or yellow. If it lights green, the door should unlock. If it doesn't unlock, or if it lights red or yellow, please go to the Hartley Hospitality Desk in Hartley Hall.