TUID logo Site banner Guess which one is a Temple employee in this image.
TUID logo
SSN Project Home
 General Information
 Guidelines and Forms
 FAQs
FOCUS/WEB FOCUS
 SSN Conversion Site
 OWLcard Distribution
 Training










You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.05c or higher installed on your computer to view some documents.

Get Adobe Acrobat Reader
 
Project Team Log
Students

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated: 05/27/05

 

Students

 

Q. Will I need to get my photo retaken for the new OWLcard?

A. No. Students do not need to have their pictures retaken.

 

Q. When will my current Temple ID card no longer work?

A. At this time, Temple University expects to change to the new OWLcard on

July 5, 2005. On that date, you must begin using your new OWLcard because your current card will no longer work for access privileges or Diamond Dollars.

Q. When and where do I go to pick up my new OWLcard?

A. Please see the Student OWLcard Distribution web page  for locations and dates.  

 

Q. Will I need to show any identification to pick up my OWLcard?

A. Yes. You will be required to show your current Temple ID to receive your new card. In the absence of this, another form of photo identification will be accepted.

 

Q. When I get my OWLcard, what should I do with my old card?

A. Students should hold onto their old card until they know that their OWLcard is active and working properly.  Once you have successfully used your OWLcard, it is important to destroy your old card as it is encoded with personal information. You will not be required to return the old card.

 

Q. If I am not currently registered or not yet registered for Summer or Fall, will I still get a new ID?

A. Yes. Any student registered for the Spring 2005 semester who is not graduating in May will have an OWLcard printed.

 

Q. Will my OWLcard include my Diamond Dollars, parking, and meal plan privilges? 

A. Yes. Your OWLcard will have your TUid and the same access information that was on your old card including building access, residence hall access, meal plan, parking and Diamond Dollars.

 

Q. Will I have to reactivate parking or my meal plan on my new OWLcard?

A. No. The access information for services such as parking and your meal plan that was on your old card will be on your initial new OWLcard.  The procedures to renew these services will remain the same.

 

Q. If my TUid is printed on the OWLcard, can’t someone gain access to my personal Temple information?

A.  Knowing your TUid does not necessarily give anyone access to your personal Temple information. Services that pertain to your personal records should always require positive physical identification or, if you are using an electronic service, the use of your AccessNet username and password. Be sure, however, to safeguard your card and your password to prevent unauthorized use.

 

Q. Do I have to wear my OWLcard on campus?

A. You are not required to wear your OWLcard at all times. Please keep it handy, however, so you can present it to security personnel when entering buildings.

 

Q. What do I do if I lose my OWLcard over the summer break?  Can I use the old ID when I come back to campus until I get a new one printed?

A. If you lose your new OWLcard over the summer break, you will need to go to either Academic Records (2nd Floor Conwell Hall) or Diamond Dollars (1910 Liacouras Walk, Room 202) when you return to campus for a replacement card.  At other campuses, go Academic Services or the Bursar’s Office. Your old card will no longer work.

 

Q. What do I do if my OWLcard is stolen or lost?

A. If your OWLcard is stolen or lost, you should notify Campus Safety Services immediately by calling 215-204-1234.  The card will then be cancelled and no further transactions will be allowed. 

 

To obtain a replacement card on Main Campus, go to either Academic Records in Conwell Hall, 2nd floor, or Diamond Dollars, 1910 Liacouras Walk, Room 202. At other campuses, go to Academic Services or the Bursar’s Office to obtain a replacement card.

 

Q. Are there particular Temple departments that may ask for my SSN?

A. In general, the Temple offices that may require your SSN will be Admissions, the Bursar, Student Financial Services, Human Resources and Computer Services Help Desk.

 

Q. What should I do if someone asks for my SSN and I am not sure that I should give it to them?

A. No one should verbally ask you for your SSN except Computer Services Help Desk. Computer Services will verbally ask for the last four digits of SSN to confirm identity when giving confidential information (such as an account password) over the phone.

If your SSN is required on a Temple form, it should also include the following disclosure statement:

 

Temple University requests your Social Security number (SSN) because federal, state, and local law requires the University to report the name, address, and SSN for certain purposes.  Temple University will not disclose your SSN without consent unless it is required to do so by law, or as permitted by the University’s Social Security number Usage Policy (http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=04.75.11).

 

There may be, however, some non-Temple, third-party, or government forms that also require your SSN.

 

If you are not sure whether you should disclose your SSN, send an e-mail message to the University Privacy Officer at privacy@temple.edu.

 

-----------------------------------------

 

Faculty-Related Questions (Please also review Staff FAQs.)

 

Q. Am I still permitted to use SSNs in e-mail correspondence with students or other faculty?

A. Any transmission of data containing Social Security numbers by Temple-related individuals over any communication network, including e-mails, must be transmitted through encrypted mechanisms. Procedures on how to do this are available on the project Web site at: http://ssn2tuid.temple.edu

 

Q. Am I permitted to use TUids in e-mail correspondence with students or other faculty?

A. Yes. The TUid can be used in e-mail correspondence with students or other faculty.

 

Q. Will my SSN and the SSNs of my students still be listed on class sheets and grade lists?

A. No. The TUid will be listed instead of the SSN.  

 

Q. Can I post grades using the TUid?

A. No. You cannot use the full TUid or any portion of the TUid to post grades. As a alternative, you can use Blackboard for posting grades.  

 

Q. I have student records that list SSNs. What should I do with these records?

A.  Review the documents and shred all unnecessary files, e-mail messages, or documents containing the SSN. If you need to hold on to particular paper files that include the SSN, you must safeguard then in a locked cabinet or secure office.

 

All necessary electronic files (spreadsheets, databases) containing SSNs must be converted to TUids unless your use of the SSN is approved by the Provost and the Vice President for Computer and Information Services. For conversion instructions, go to the project Web site (http://ssn2tuid.temple.edu) and under SSN Conversion, click on Directions.

 

Q. Are there any circumstances in which I would need to use a student’s SSN?

A. Use of the SSN is now greatly restricted and requires the approval of the Provost and the Vice President for Computer and Information Services. To review Temple ’s policy and procedures for using regarding SSNs, please go to:

 

- Social Security number Usage Policy

http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=04.75.11

 

- Social Security number Usage Procedure

http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=04.75.12

 

-----------------------------------------

 

Staff

 

Q. How will I get my OWLcard?

A.   On June 15, OWLcards will be sent directly to each department using the same delivery process as paychecks. A designated person in each department will be responsible for distributing the cards. 

 

Q. When will my current Temple ID card no longer work?

A.  At this time, Temple University expects to change to the new OWLcard on July 5, 2005. 

On that date, you must begin using your new OWLcard because your current card will no longer work for access privileges or Diamond Dollars.

 

Q. When I get my OWLcard, what should I do with my old card?

A. Employees should hold onto their old card until they know that their OWLcard is active and working properly. Once you have successfully used your new OWLcard, it is important to destroy your old card as it is encoded with personal information. You will not be required to return the old card.

 

Q.  Will my parking privileges be affected by the new OWLcard?

A.  No. All privileges working on the old card will be automatically assigned to the new OWLcard. The procedures to renew these services will remain the same.

 

Q.  Will I still have access to get in to my building?

A.  Yes. All privileges working on the old card will be automatically assigned to the new OWLcard.

 

Q. If my TUid is printed on the OWLcard, can’t someone gain access to my personal Temple information?

A.  Knowing your TUid does not necessarily give anyone access to your personal Temple information. Services that pertain to your personal records should always require positive physical identification or, if you are using an electronic service, the use of your AccessNet username and password. Be sure, however, to safeguard your card and your password to prevent unauthorized use.

 

Q. Do I have to wear my OWLcard on campus?

A. You are not required to wear your OWLcard at all times. Please keep it handy, however, so you can present it to security personnel when entering buildings.

 

Q. What do I do if my OWLcard is stolen or lost?

A. If your card is stolen or lost, you should notify Campus Safety Services immediately by calling 215-204-1234.  The card will then be cancelled and no further transactions will be allowed. 

 

To obtain a replacement card, contact Human Resources.

 

Q. Are there particular Temple departments that may ask for my SSN?

A. In general, the Temple offices that may require your SSN will be Human Resources, Admissions, Student Financial Services, Bursar and Computer Services Help Desk.

 

Q. What should I do if someone asks for my SSN and I am not sure that I should give it to them?

A. No one should verbally ask you for your SSN except Computer Services Help Desk. Computer Services will verbally ask for the last four digits of SSN to confirm identity when giving confidential information (such as an account password) over the phone.

 

If your SSN is required on a Temple form, it should also include the following disclosure statement:

 

Temple University requests your Social Security number (SSN) because federal, state, and local law requires the University to report the name, address, and SSN for certain purposes.  Temple University will not disclose your SSN without consent unless it is required to do so by law, or as permitted by the University’s Social Security number Usage Policy (http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=04.75.11).

 

There may be, however, some non-Temple, third-party, or government forms that also require your SSN.

 

If you are not sure whether you should disclose your SSN, send e-mail to the University Privacy Officer at privacy@temple.edu.

 

Administrative-Related Questions:

 

Q.  Will the University update its systems, forms, and procedures to adopt the new TUid?

A.  Yes. The TUid is the new identifier that Temple University will use as the primary key for tracking students, employees and anyone affiliated with the University. It will be assigned to current employees and students through a conversion process. The TUid will be a nine-digit number that is not related to or derived from the Social Security number. 

 

Q. Will my department need to change the forms we use in the office?

A.  Yes. As stated in Exhibit C in the Social Security number Usage Procedures policy (http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=04.75.12) all Temple forms must accommodate the use of the TUid. To learn more about forms and TUids, go to the project Web site at http://ssn2tuid.temple.edu and under FAQs click on Special Topics: Temple Forms.

 

Q.  What do I do if a student or employee doesn’t know their new TUid?

A.  A team has been established to develop policies, procedures, and guidelines on how to confirm the identities of students, faculty, and staff who don’t know their TUids. Training will also be available. Departments will be notified when this information is ready. The information will also be posted on the project Web site at: http://ssn2tuid.temple.edu

 

Q.  If my department needs to request the SSN on a form, do I need to acquire formal permission?

A.  Yes. You will need to submit a copy of the Social Security Number Usage Request Form to justify your department’s reason for requiring the SSN. You will also be requested to provide the precautions you will implement to safeguard the information.

 

A link to the Social Security Number Usage Request Form is available on the project Web site (http://ssn2tuid.temple.edu) under SSN Conversion, Checklist.

 

Q.  Does my office have to convert current paper records that list SSNs (i.e., records of students currently enrolled, currently being advised, etc.)? What about historical records?

A.  No, but all paper files containing Social Security numbers must be safeguarded in a locked cabinet or secure office.

 

Q.  I have PC Word documents and e-mail messages that contain SSNs? What should I do with them?

A.  All necessary electronic files (spreadsheets, databases) containing SSNs must be converted to TUids unless your use of SSNs is approved by the Provost and the Vice President for Computer and Information Services. For conversion instructions, go to the project Web site (http://ssn2tuid.temple.edu) and under SSN Conversion, click on Directions.

 

Q.  Can I use the TUid in e-mail correspondence with students or other staff members?

A. Yes. The TUid can be used in e-mail correspondence with students and staff.

 

Q.  Where can I find the University’s official policy about the use of SSNs?

A.  Temple’s official policies regarding the use of SSNs is online on the following Web sites:

 

- Social Security number Usage Policy

http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=04.75.11

 

- Social Security number Usage Procedure

http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=04.75.12

 

Copyrite 2005 by TU Computer Services