The following are basic WatCard policies. They have been set to
ensure authenticity and accuracy of the WatCard system:
- All WatCards are and remain the property of the University of Waterloo.
- WatCard users are fully responsible for any and all purchases made using
their WatCards.
- Students must come in person and provide their UW ID number and photo
identification ie: Drivers’ License, Passport or Canadian Citizenship
Card.
- Faculty or Staff requiring a WatCard must provide a letter of appointment
and photo identification ie: Drivers’ License, Passport or Canadian
Citizenship Card, or another government issued document with your picture
and name.
- Guests requesting a WatCard must come in person and provide photo identification
ie: Drivers’ License, Passport or Canadian Citizenship Card, or
another government issued document with your picture and name. There will
be a $10 charge for a guest WatCard and the completion of a WatCard Verification
Form is necessary. Completion of the WatCard Verification Form may also
require authorization by the Department for which you require the guest
card. All Guests requesting a WatCard for the Physical Activities Complex
(PAC) must first go there to purchase a membership and then bring the
Verification Form back to the WatCard office. Guest WatCard holders must
adhere to all rules and regulations associated with the use of the WatCard.
- The final line of print on the front of the WatCard designates the status
of the WatCard holder, eg. “FULL TIME UNDERGRAD STUDENT”.
“GUEST” designation does NOT classify the holder of the WatCard
as a University of Waterloo member with any University of Waterloo rights
or privileges.
- WatCards are to be used ONLY by the person to whom they are issued.
If used by anyone else, for any reason, the card may be taken away. This
policy is to ensure the personal security of each card holder.
- If your WatCard is broken, or the card has become demagnetized, you
must come in person with the entire card (even if it’s in pieces)
to the WatCard office and a new card will be issued free of charge.
- A $20 charge will apply to all replacements for cards damaged by punching
a hole in them, or if the card has been defaced deliberately or willfully
damaged.
- If your status changes, i.e. faculty change, registration status, or
student to staff/faculty, undergradute to graduate, you must come in person
and surrender your original WatCard to receive an updated WatCard free
of charge.
- The purchasing of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products with your
WatCard is strictly prohibited at any location, both on and off campus.
- There is a $10 administration fee for any refunds requested. Refund
cheques are issued by the Finance Department and are sent to the mailing
address you have on your Quest account. Finance issues refunds once per
term. The refund process begins the 8th week from the start of classes.
Deposits made by credit card will be refunded to that cardholder.
- Upon leaving UW, please visit the WatCard Office and complete a refund
request form.
Statements
- You can access your account history and print off interim statements
at any time on our account information page.
- WatCard receipts are also available upon request when using your card
to make purchases. Feel free to ask one of our cashiers for a receipt
prior to the completion of the transaction. This will enable you to keep
track of all of your purchases as well as your current WatCard balance.
- To determine your account balance, you may ask for an account inquiry
at any Food Services or Graphics location. Your balance is also displayed
on the patron display when you make a purchase at these locations. You
may also request your account balance from the WatCard Office (balances
will not be given over the phone). Note: Any queries regarding transactions
must be made within one month of the transaction date.
Confidentiality
- Your account and personal information will be kept strictly confidential
between the WatCard Office and the University of Waterloo. Outside parties
will not be privileged to any information about you, your account or the
purchases you have made unless your express consent is received,or we
are asked to comply with a government agency or a court order.
- Your WatCard picture may be used for class list purposes.
Expiration Dates
- The expiry date shown on the WatCard (on the front of the card or on
the sticker on the back) is not used by the University of Waterloo. It
is used by external agencies verifying student status for discounts, etc..
The WatCard will continue to function until one year after student graduation
regardless of the date shown.
Disclaimer
- WatCards are the property of the University of Waterloo. They must be
carried at all times and presented to University Officials upon request.
Cards are non-transferable and may only be used by the person that they
were issued to. Unauthorized use, alteration, or duplication for fraudulent
use warrants confiscation and/or disciplinary action. Cards become invalid
upon termination of affiliation with the University and must be surrendered
upon request.
Lost or stolen WatCards
- If you lose your WatCard, deactivate it immediately here
or at the Turnkey Desk (x84434) which is open 24 hours a day. You should
also contact the Library to deactivate your bar code. You will be held
responsible for all transactions prior to your WatCard being deactivated.
To replace a lost or stolen WatCard, come in person to the WatCard Office
and bring a valid Government issued piece of Photo I.D. A new card will
be issued to you for a $20.00 replacement fee.
Protection Of Meal Plans
- Federal and Provincial tax legislation prohibits the use of tax exempt
meal plan funds by individuals who are not qualified to receive these
benefits.
- Meals may be purchased only by the WatCard holder. WatCard holders purchasing
more than one meal at a time will be charged appropriate taxes on the
meal with the lower value. All applicable discounts will be applied before
taxes.
- Each transaction the cashier will examine the photo on the WatCard to
ensure that the person making the purchase is the WatCard holder. In all
cases where the cashier suspects that somebody is using a WatCard other
than the cardholder, the cashier must keep the WatCard and prevent its
use. The WatCard will be forwarded to the WatCard Office within four hours
where it can be picked up by the proper cardholder at that time, or the
nextbusiness day. Fraudulent use of WatCard funds to purchase food for
other people may result in loss of all discount and tax exempt privileges.
- The security of a WatCard remains the card-holder's responsibility.
WatCards should be treated like a credit or debit card. If a WatCard is
lost or stolen the cardholder is responsible for all charges made to that
card until the card is reported lost or stolen. A WatCard can be reported
lost or stolen at any WatCard cash register on campus, at the WatCard
Office or online at the WatCard
homepage.
Offline Transactions
- In the rare event that a WatCard reader is functioning in offline mode
(such as a photocopier or off-campus vendor), all charges will apply and
you are responsible for any and all transactions made.
WatCard Photos
- The WatCard is the official identification card for the University of
Waterloo. Identification photos must show a clear view of the face with
no hats, headbands, or sunglasses. We reserve the right to disallow inappropriate
photos. No advertising or messages are allowed in the identification photos.
- If the picture on your card no longer reflects your appearance, please
bring your WatCard to the WatCard Office for a photo retake. You will
have to turn in your old card in this case. If you would like a new photo
on your WatCard for any other reason, a $10 fee will apply and you will
have to turn in your old card.
Proper care of your WatCard
- Keep your WatCard in a protective holder to keep it from getting scratched.
Do not bend your WatCard, card readers cannot read bent or cracked WatCards
reliably. Bent or cracked cards should be returned to the WatCard office,
at which time a new card will be issued to you free of charge.
- DO NOT punch a hole in your WatCard. If the card is rendered inoperable
due to a hole punch, there will be a $20 charge to replace it.
- Your WatCard is an important piece of University of Waterloo identification,
and should be treated as such. DO NOT lend it to others.
Currency
- All WatCard accounts are in Canadian dollars. All deposits to WatCard
accounts will be in Canadian dollars. We cannot accept any foreign currency
(including US dollar traveller's cheques).
Expired Student WatCards
- If the expiry date shown on your card has passed and you are still a
registered student, please bring your card to the WatCard Office for a
free replacement. If you don't bring your card, a $20 replacement fee
will apply.