info.risd.edu

Card Services / risdbucks

Card Services provides efficient one-card solutions for a variety of campus operations including: access, dining, identification, laundry, library, printing, risd:store purchases, select off-campus merchants and transportation needs.

Watch our video to learn how to use your RISD ID card.

Note: Card Services closes from 11:30 am–noon Mon–Fri and is closed on weekends throughout the year.

Your RISD ID card

The RISD ID card is much more than a simple ID. In identifying you as a member of the RISD community, it is an invaluable key to life on campus. Students are encouraged to carry their RISD ID card at all times and be able to show it upon request.

Access to campus buildings and facilities
RISD maintains an access control system for all academic and residential buildings, meaning students, faculty and staff need to wave a valid RISD ID card in close proximity to card readers in order to open locked doors. Proximity readers can detect when a reader-controlled door is forced or held open. If a door is forced open, or held open for too long, it will immediately sound an audible alarm locally and alert Public Safety. Access is based on several factors including:

  • authorization
  • area
  • time of day
  • day of week

Building access follows posted building hours and entrance to specific spaces, rooms and labs is based on pre-approved authorization. Card Services manages the assignment of access privileges for card-accessible areas. In general the entire RISD community shall have access to all "community" areas. Authorized staff may download and submit the access request form below if access to other specific areas (e.g., labs, workshops, elevators, etc.) is necessary. A completed form must be sent to Card Services for processing. Please allow 48 hours to facilitate each request.

Common ID card uses

How to replace lost/stolen/damaged RISD ID cards
If you need to replace a lost, stolen or damaged ID card, visit Card Services at 48 Waterman Street during our listed office hours. We’re happy to assist you.

Card replacement fees

  • $10 for a first lost card
  • $20 for losing your card a second time
  • $30 for losing your card a third time and each time thereafter...
  • $5 to replace a damaged card
  • $2 for a plastic card holder

RISD ID photo requirements

RISD community members may obtain or replace their RISD ID at the Card Services office. We take photos for ID card use in the office. This photo is also shared across various campus systems.

We also offer community members a photo upload option. Students, faculty and staff who want to upload a preferred image may do so by emailing cardservices@risd.edu. Please include your name and RISD ID number in all communications.

RISD requires a "passport-style" image. Important image specifications include:

  • light-colored background
  • straight-on angle
  • centered photo subject
  • open eyes
  • close-up of head with shoulders partially in view

We will not accept over/under-exposed or photoshopped images. RISD follows US Department of State guidelines for passport photographs.

risdbucks program

risdbucks is an optional prepaid debit account developed to be a convenient and safe way for students to make purchases of products and services on campus (wherever you see the risdbucks logo). The account functions much like any other bank debit card, with two major differences:

  1. funds deposited in the account may only be used on campus or at participating merchants
  2. cash withdrawals are prohibited

risdbucks don’t expire, meaning you can roll over funds into the next semester and academic year. The account allows you to view transaction history, report a lost (or found) card and view real-time account, meal plan and bonus dining points balances.

Lost Card
Reporting your card lost will immediately lock down the funds associated with your account and prevent someone from using your card to access campus buildings. You are strongly encouraged to report a lost or stolen card by logging into to risdbucks.risd.edu and then clicking the "I Lost My Card" Quick Link to alert Card Services as soon as possible to.

Terms and conditions

There is no minimum risdbucks balance requirement. Balances remain on a student’s account until graduation. As such, risdbucks are nonrefundable.

After graduation, risdbucks balances over $25 will be refunded automatically. Balances below $25 are nonrefundable.

In addition, any student whose risdbucks account is inactive for 18 months and retains a balance of $25 or more, they will automatically receive a refund. If a student’s account is inactive for 18 months but has a balance below $25 in funds, the student will not receive a refund.

If a student leaves RISD without graduating, they may request a risdbucks refund by contacting Card Services. risdbucks accounts do not allow for cash withdrawals or transfer of funds to another account.

For students whose banking account information is on file with RISD, they will receive their risdbucks refunds via an ACH transfer. If RISD does not have the student’s banking information on file, RISD will send a refund check to the billing address we have on file.

Please note that RISD does not send refund checks internationally.

risdbucks: How to deposit funds

Depositing funds to a risdbucks account is easy and can be done in several quick ways:

risdbucks: participating locations

  • Card Services, 48 Waterman Avenue, Providence
  • Carr Haus, 210 Benefit Street, Providence
  • Center for Student Involvement, Two College Street, Providence
  • Experimental and Foundation Studies Division
  • Fleet Library at RISD, 15 Westminster Street, Providence
  • Jolly Roger Deli, 257 South Main Street, Providence
  • Mail Services, 30 North Main Street, Providence
  • The Met, 34 Waterman Street, Providence
  • Nature Lab, 13 Waterman Street, Providence
  • Portfolio Café, 15 Westminster Street, Providence
  • risd:store, 30 North Main Street, Providence
  • risd:store 3D, 12 North Main Street, Providence
  • vending machines throughout RISD campus
  • Watermark Café, 30 North Main Street, Providence

risdbucks: guest cards

Guests and students who are not current RISD degree students may purchase risdbucks guest cards in increments of $10, $20 or $50 at the RISD Store. risdbucks is an optional prepaid declining balance account developed to be a convenient way for students to make purchases of products and services both on and off campus (wherever you see the risdbucks logo). In addition to participating on- and off-campus retailers, risdbucks is the only method of payment accepted for on-campus printing (including specialty printing) and laundry.

Use of the risdbucks guest card constitutes acceptance of the following terms: guest card is not redeemable for cash; is non-refundable; and may only be used at participating dining and retail locations and participating printers and laundry areas. Treat your card like cash; RISD is not responsible for expenses resulting from loss, theft or misuse of the card. Value can be added at the RISD Store, Portfolio Café or The Met with cash or check only.