ID Services - Frequently Asked Questions

New/First-time student: You will first need to register for classes. Once you have registered, bring a copy of your class schedule to our office to have your photo taken for your BUC ID card. There is no charge for the first card that you receive.

Returning students: Depending on the length of time you are away from ETSU, you may or may not need to purchase a replacement. Please contact us about getting a new BUC ID card. If you still have your BUC ID card from last time, it will reactivate when the semester you are registered for begins. 

Visiting Scholar/Departmental Guest: Guest/Visiting Scholar cards can only be made by request of your department. Guest cards are $10. Departments: Please fill out a Guest Card Request Form and email to IDBUCS@etsu.edu. 

Your E# should be included in your acceptance letter. You can also find your E# by logging into your Goldlink account, click on "Look Up Classes", and it will be in the upper right area of the screen. If you are unable to log into Goldlink, you can click here. 

ID Badges are printed vertical, have no magnetic capability, and are used to wear for identification purposes. Because badges cannot be scanned to activate campus features, we will punch a hole to use a badge clip or lanyard with it.

ID Badges are printed by department request only. Each badge is $10 and any replacements are $27.38. Departments or supervisors will need to email a request form to IDBUCS@etsu.edu before any and all badges can be printed.

ID Badges are printed by department request only. Each badge is $10 and any replacements are $27.38. Departments or supervisors will need to submit all approvals before any clinical badges can be made. 

• Hard Key System – This door lock and key system is managed by the Key Control Shop in the Physical Plant on campus. Please complete a key request form to get a physical key.

• CBORD/Genetec – This system of networked, on-line electronic exterior door locks uses the student BUC ID card to gain access to the door. The locks are programmed and managed by Emergency Management. These types of locks are easily recognized by the fact that they are accessed by a seperate card reader placed on the wall near the door. Access to these locks is granted only after it has been specifically requested and authorized with the appropriate Dean or Director. Please complete an access request form with Emergency Management at this link to obtain card-swipe access.

• Onity – This system of stand-alone, electronic interior door locks uses the BUC ID card to gain access to the door. These locks are individually programmed to accept certain encoding on individual BUC ID cards. These locks are easily recognized by the fact that they require inserting the card into the door handle mechanism. These are similar to the locks commonly found in hotels or motels.
  Each card that needs Onity coding must be encoded at the Campus ID System Office. This encoding is done only after it has been specifically requested and authorized with the appropriate Dean/Director. Please complete an access request form with Emergency Management at this link to obtain card-swipe access.

Determine which door/area you need access to. 
Complete the appropriate access request form located on the Emergency Management website.  
Obtain required authorization (Dean/Director or approved signer). 

Treat your BUC ID as you would cash, a credit card, or any other valuable possession. Some devices such as strong magnetic devices can deactivate it. Do not iron or otherwise expose the card to excessive heat by leaving it near hot appliances or leaving your card or badge in your vehicle. Do not punch holes in the BUC ID card for use with key chains or necklaces; this is considered defacing the card. We also ask that you do not use any tape or stickers on the card; this can damage the card readers around campus. Do not expose your BUC ID card to a wireless phone charger, as this can cause the microchip to spark and potentially catch fire. You will have to purchase a replacement card if this occurs.

BUC ID cards or badges that are damaged will result in a replacement fee. Situations include, but are not limited to, punching holes, using a card to scrape or wedge, punctures, melting by sitting in a car or through other means, and chemical spills. 

If your BUC ID card is worn out due to natural wear and tear and will not swipe anymore, bring your BUC ID card by our office for a replacement.

The cardholder is responsible for maintaining a valid BUC ID card, which is in proper working condition. A replacement fee will be charged for lost, stolen, misplaced or abused cards. Defective or heavily worn BUC ID cards will be replaced at no charge when you turn in your current valid BUC ID card.

(ID Badges are subject to replacement fees and are not replaced free.)

There is a replacement fee of $27.38 for lost or damaged BUC ID cards and ID badges.

Only your most recent BUC ID card will work. Once a new card is made, the system deactivates your old BUC ID card and it can never be turned back on again. No refunds are given to old cards that are found after a new card is purchased. 

If your card is in good condition, and you are just wanting a new picture on your card, a replacement fee of $27.38 will be charged in order to have a card with a new picture. 

If you have lost your card, please report it lost to either Campus ID Services, ETSU Police, or going through your online GET account here.

No. The ID card system only recognizes one BUC ID card at a time.

Currently registered students – Your BUC ID is automatically activated for the CPA at the beginning of each semester.

SDPD/Alumni members – Memberships for Spouses, Domestic Partners, Alumni, and Dependents of ETSU affiliate members can be purchased at the CPA. Once your membership has been processed, you will be given a blue/pink form and your receipt to bring to our office to receive your SDPD Program card. Both papers are required to print your BUC ID guest card.

For membership inquiries, please visit the CPA website. 

We will generate them a number known as a G# in order to make them a BUC ID guest card. The guest card is $10 to print and generate the number. Please fill out the Guest Card Request form and send to Campus ID Services, or email idbucs@etsu.edu. 

Add funds to your ID BUC$ account using GET or one of our self-service kiosks. Once you print funds are exhausted, the system automatically draws from ID BUC$. 

First, deactivate your BUC ID card immediately either through your GET account, contacting ID Services, or ETSU Police. Any stolen cards are still considered lost and will require an BUC ID card replacement fee to receive a new card. It is best practice to report any stolen item(s) to ETSU Police so that a police report can be made on the incident. 

ID Bucs is a debit card system on campus. Your ID Bucs account is already added to your BUC ID card, it’s just at a balance of $0. There is no fee to use the card or the funds connected to it. Your ID Bucs never expire! Using your ID Bucs lets you skip carrying additional cards or cash on campus! You can use it at many locations on-and-off campus!

You can use your ID Bucs at the below on-campus locations:

• University Bookstore
• Bursar's Office
• Snack Vending Machines
• Pepsi Machines
• Dining Hall
• Starbucks (Including the Starbucks app)
• Chick-fil-a
• Mein Bowl
• Peppers
• Taco Bell
• Roger's Buc Mart
• Dunkin'
• Auntie Ruth's Donuts & Pretzels
• Football Stadium
• Concessions
• VA Cafe 60
• Athletic + Event Tickets
• Campus Post Office
• Printing
• Campus Recreation
• Many Local Participating off-campus merchants!!!

All students, faculty and staff enrolled or employed at East Tennessee State University are eligible to participate in the ID Bucs program. The money is added onto your ETSU ID card, so no additional cards are needed.

Faculty & Staff have the opportunity to sign-up for payroll deduction. This allows a selected amount to be automatically added to their ID Bucs account each month.

Deposits to your ID Bucs account can be made either online, using the GET system, or by visiting one of our ID Bucs Reload stations in the D.P. Culp Student Center or Sherrod Library. There is a $3.00 transaction fee for online deposits made through GET. There is no fee depositing using a Reload Station.

With a credit card, you can charge the expenses and then must pay for them later. This requires careful advanced planning and responsible management of the expenditures not to exceed your budget. With the ID Bucs debit account, you deposit only the funds you can afford and then spend them as you wish. There is no danger of overspending and getting in debt – no surprises at the end of the month!

No. Funds can never be withdrawn as cash. 
If you graduate or leave ETSU with a remaining balance, you may request a refund (processing time: approximately 10–15 business days). 

If you have a large amount remaining in your ID Bucs, please print this form and turn it into our office. Once we process the form in our office, a check will be sent to you in approximately 10-15 business days.

ID BUC$ 

• User-funded
• Never expire while at ETSU 
• Can be used off campus

Dining/Flex Dollars 

• Included with meal plans 
• Reload each semester with meal plan purchase 
• Expire at the end of the spring semester

If you have a meal plan and want to add additional funds, you may deposit money online here as if you would your ID Bucs. Make sure you select Dining Dollars before you click ‘submit’.

Please note: Any Dining Dollars remaining on your card at the end of the spring semester will expire once the semester ends.

Please fill out this form and submit it to our office. If you submit your payroll deduction request before the 14th of the month, the amount requested will be taken from your paycheck and added to your BUC ID card that month. If it is submitted after the 14th, it will not go into effect until the next month.

We partner with a company that works with our ID card system to provide this service to our students, faculty and staff as well as our local businesses. Please submit this form, and our team will get in touch with your business as soon as possible.

No. Campus ID Services is excluded from First Mate or Parental/Guardian access.   
Guest deposits can be made to an account by entering the student’s E# and first/last name at this website. 

To update your name, you first need to have it changed by the registrar's office. Once your legal or preferred name is officially on your Goldlink account, you must surrender your current, valid ID to our office.