u:card for employees - FAQ
This site provides the most important information about your u:card, sorted according to the following topics:
search through FAQ
Ordering procedure
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How do I get my u:card?
You can order your u:card at any time via u:space. When you order your u:card, you have to upload a passport photo. You have to accept the library’s terms and conditions to be able to use the library.
The u:card will be delivered by post to the address you provided in the order (this only applies to EU/EEA countries). You can enter your work address as well as any other delivery address. This address will only be used to deliver the u:card. The information you provided will be deleted as soon as the u:card has been delivered. -
Does every employee get a u:card?
All employees of the University of Vienna are eligible for a u:card.
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When can I order my u:card?
You can order your u:card via u:space as of the start of your employment.
To log in to u:space, you require a u:account. If you do not have a u:account yet, you can apply for one via the website of the ZID.
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How long does delivery of my u:card take?
Printing and shipping the u:card takes two weeks. However, we cannot guarantee delivery within two weeks during the conversion phase.
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What should my u:card photo look like?
Your head should take up about two-thirds of the picture and the background must be in clear contrast to your face.
Further requirements necessary for the u:card photo to be accepted:
- It must have been taken recently and in colour.
- It should be able to clearly identify you.
- You must be the only person in the photo.
- The photo must be uploaded as a JPEG file and have a maximum file size of 5 MB.
Click here for a sample photo.
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How much does the u:card cost?
For employees, the u:card is free of charge.
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I am both an employee and a student. What data will be printed on the u:card?
If you have two separate u:accounts, your data are printed on two separate u:cards when you validate them. If you have a combined u:account, all your data will be printed on one u:card when you validate it.
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What happens to my old u:card when I order a new one?
As soon as you validate your new u:card at one of the u:card terminals, the old u:card is no longer valid.
Validity and validation
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When does the validity of the current employee ID card expire?
The validity of the previous employee ID card does not expire. However, you cannot extend the validity period or renew it.
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How does my u:card become valid? What does ‘validation’ mean?
The u:card becomes valid as soon as you validate it at one of the u:card terminals. The validation terminal prints your personal details on a special field using thermoprinting technology. Every time the u:card is validated, the old details in this field are automatically overwritten with the new details.
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How does the validation work?
Please insert the u:card into the terminal as depicted at the u:card terminal. You do not need a password for the validation. The validation terminal prints your personal details on a special field using thermoprinting technology. Every time the u:card is validated, the old details in this field are automatically overwritten with the new details.
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Why is my new u:card empty?
A validity period will be printed on the u:card when you validate it at one of the u:card terminals.
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Where can I find the u:card terminals?
Please click for all u:card terminals
This link takes you to Google Maps. By clicking on the link, personal data is sent to Google and can be used by Google.
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How long is my u:card valid for?
The u:card is valid either for an unlimited or for a limited period of time (depending on the employment contract ending later).
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The validity period printed on my u:card is incorrect. Who can I contact?
Please check which data your u:card should show via u:space under "Status and validity". You can then update your u:card at one of the u:card terminals. If your data are still incorrect, please use our contact form.
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What happens to my old u:card when I order a new one?
As soon as you validate your new u:card at one of the u:card -terminals, the old u:card will no longer be valid.
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I am currently not in Vienna but I have to validate my u:card. What can I do?
You can only validate your u:card at one of the u:card terminals. However, you can also ask a person you trust to do this for you.
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I already validated my u:card. Can I validate it again?
The u:card has a thermoprinting field. It can be printed over repeatedly. Therefore, you can validate your u:card again.
Use
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Where can I get my employee library card?
You can optionally accept the library’s terms and conditions when you order the u:card. You can also agree to it later on u:space under "Status and validity". You have to validate the u:card again afterwards.
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Is the u:card an official photo identification card?
No. The u:card is not an official photo identification card.
Changes and problems
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Why is my new u:card empty?
A validity period will be printed on the u:card when you validate it at one of the u:card terminals.
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I did not receive my u:card. What can I do?
The u:card will be delivered by post to the address you provided in the order (this only applies to EU/EEA countries). Please note that printing and delivering the u:card may take up to two weeks. However, we cannot guarantee delivery within two weeks during the conversion phase. If you have still not received your u:card, please check whether the address you provided is correct (including staircase and door numbers) and order a new u:card.
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I cannot validate my u:card. What can I do?
Please try to validate your u:card at another u:card terminal. If you still cannot validate the u:card, please contact the Support team via the contact form.
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I have lost my u:card / my u:card was stolen. Where can I get a new one?
You can order your u:card again at any time via u:space. Please disable your u:card under "Status and validity".
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Can I disable the functions of my u:card if I lost it or if it was stolen?
Yes, you can disable your u:card for free (under "Status and validity"). If your u:card also features an access function, the access manager of your building has to disable the access function.
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I have disabled the functions of my u:card. Can I enable them again?
If you have disabled the functions of your u:card yourself, you can enable them again (free of charge) via u:space under "Status and validity".
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I would like to change the photo on my u:card. What can I do?
Please upload the new photo and order a new u:card via u:space.
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The validity period printed on my u:card is incorrect. Who can I contact?
Please check which data your u:card should show via u:space under "Status and validity". If necessary, you can then update your u:card at one of the u:card terminals. If your data are still incorrect, please use our contact form.
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My name printed on the u:card is not correct (anymore). How can I change the name on my u:card?
Please use our contact form. You can order a new u:card as soon as your name has been changed in the system.
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I found a u:card. What should I do with it?
Please hand it in to the Fundamt (lost property office).
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I uploaded the wrong picture. What can I do?
As long as we have not yet processed your order, you can still upload a different photo via u:space. If your photo does not meet the necessary criteria (see FAQ ‘What should my u:card photo look like?’), we will ask you to change the photo when we process your order.
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The quality of the print is poor. What can I do?
There are different reasons for poor print quality:
1. Your picture and/or name are printed poorly:
You received your u:card via post and noticed that
- your name is illegible and/or
- the photo shows strips or distort colour.
In this case, there may have been a problem during the printing process. Please send us a high-resolution photo of your u:card via the upload function of the contact form. The photo should clearly show the faulty print. Our Support team will contact you.
2. The faulty print happened during the validation process:
You have validated your u:card at one of the u:card terminals and noticed that your data (e.g. “MitarbeiterIn bis” are printed in poor quality. Please try to validate your u:card again. Make sure that the u:card is not bent and check whether the card is perforated perfectly. Please remove any protruding material if the edges of the u:card are not perforated perfectly, before trying to validate it again. Otherwise, there may be quality problems during the validation process. If this does not improve the quality of the print, please contact us via the contact form telling us the exact location of the terminal (e.g. University Library, left terminal).
Accessibility
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Can I order a u:card with Braille letters?
Since 9 April 2018, all u:cards feature Braille letters. On the right-hand side of the photo, the letters “UW” for "Universität Wien" (University of Vienna) are imprinted in Braille letters. We do not exchange u:cards delivered before that date. Visually impaired persons who still have the old card and need Braille letters due to their impairment can order a new u:card via the contact form.
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Can I read the information on the u:card digitally?
Yes, you can check your details printed on the u:card on u:space under "Status and validity".
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Does the u:card terminal have audio output?
Yes. As soon as you connect your headphones to the terminal using mini jack plugs, the audio output will start automatically and guide you through the validation process. The socket is located on the right side of the terminal, slightly below the slot for the card. Contact
Info
Contact
Haven’t found the answer to your question in these FAQ? Please click here for the contact form.