"Care & Feeding Tips"

The Proxy ID cards used for access to LARC facilities contain both a magnetic strip and a tiny computer chip/circuitry in them. Some cards have failed because either the circuitry or the magnetic strip has been damaged.  The vendor who supplies the campus with these cards has the following recommendations to prevent accidental damage (a UCSF Photo ID Badge Request Form  is provided for your convenience):

Do not bend the card.

This includes placing the card in a wallet which is then placed in a pocket (such as a back pants’ pocket) or attaching it to the waistband or belt where it can be bent when seated or bending over.

Do not place the card near any magnetic surfaces or in wallets with magnetic closures.

Treat the card much as one would a credit card with a magnetic strip. It is possible that the proxy card’s strip may be a bit more sensitive to magnetic sources, so extra caution is recommended.

Do not drill or punch holes in the card.

Drilling or punching a hole in the card in order to place it on a chain can easily damage the circuitry rendering the card inoperative. It is recommended that the plastic "envelopes" with a clip (available in the MU Bookstore) be used if individuals wish to attach the card to a chain or ring.

Do not allow the magnetic strip to be scratched.

Scratches on the magnetic strip could cause the card to fail. Use of the plastic "envelopes" will provide protection against inadvertent scratching.