In fall 2021, the University of Central Arkansas partnered with Transact Campus to do the initial rollout of BearCard Mobile, also known as Mobile Credential. 

UCA is the second Arkansas university to launch Mobile Credentials, behind ASU in 2019. 

Rather than hard copies, students, faculty and staff will have their Bear Cards on their mobile devices. However, they cannot have both physical and mobile copies. 

“Give it a chance. I know a lot of people are scared of technology, and they fear it, but I guarantee you’re going to like it once you get it,” Heather Romine, associate director of Bear Card, said. 

Romine outlined the Mobile BearCard in a PowerPoint for the Faculty Senate Sept. 23. The benefits of this new technology are that it is more reliable, secure, convenient, technologically advanced and environmentally and economically friendly. Romine said the pandemic is what uncovered a need for contactless Bear Cards.  

“I think because I have a generally forgetful personality, I prefer the digital Bear Card. However, I have run into issues when my phone is dead, and it prevents me from getting into my dorm. Overall the digital card is a seven out of 10,” freshman Garrison Carroll said. 

In the past, if you lost your Bear Card, you had to pay $15 for a new one. With the new Mobile Credential, you don’t have to worry about losing your card and paying the fee. 

This will also help those who get locked out of their residence halls. “Most people always have their phone on them, even if they’re just going down the hall to the bathroom. They’re going to take their phone where they’re not going to take plastic cards… They may not have their wallet or carry their ID when they go across campus, but everybody’s going to have their phone,” Romine said. 

The Mobile Credential is compatible with Apple iPhones, Apple Watches and Android Smartphones; it is not compatible with Android Smartwatches. For students who do not have the devices listed, a plastic BearCard can still be issued.

For Apple iPhones, the BearCard is accessible in Apple Wallet. For Android Phones, it is accessible in Google Play. For both Apple and Android, your ID number can be displayed by tapping the three dots in the right-hand corner of your screen. 

The eAccounts app must remain on your phone as long as you are using a Mobile BearCard. This app shows you the balance for BearBucks and Dining Dollars. Additionally, you can easily add money to your account, especially if you already have your credit card information saved. 

To use your BearCard anywhere on campus, you don’t have to unlock your phone for it to go through. All you have to do is tap it on the Transact system, where the chip is located in your designated device. 

For Apple iPhones, the chip is near the camera; for Apple Watches, it is on the face of the watch; for Androids, the chip’s location varies, but it is normally somewhere on the back of the phone. 

According to Romine’s PowerPoint, iPhone Xs and models made after that model “will work for up to five hours after the battery has been depleted.” 

Those who already have Mobile BearCards make up only 7% of Android users, while the rest are Apple users, so battery life shouldn’t impact too many students. 

Freshmen and transfer students this fall semester were required to use the Mobile BearCard. Romine said that most students living in residence halls have started to get it as well. However, anybody on campus can get the Mobile BearCard.

Romine said the first stages of the rollout have been successful thus far, despite a rush to rollout. 

“We did it in six months instead of three years,” Romine said. The goal for the first stages of the rollout was 3,000 people, and they went over that by approximately 300. 

The estimated rollout will take about four years, but Romine said she thinks it will take less time than that with the rate that they are going. 

The next step is to start iValidate, an event check-in system, which should be available for any RSO, group, etc. on campus to use once after it’s ready in the spring. After that, Romine said the vending machines on campus will transition to being able to use the Mobile BearCard as well—this will be ready anywhere between spring 2022 and fall 2022. 

To set up your Mobile BearCard, visit https://uca.edu/bearcard/. 

“If you’re wanting to add [your Mobile BearCard], try to do it on the website first. And if not, come see us. We’re very happy to help you. We want everybody to try it, so the instruction gets better, and we can get feedback on it,” Romine said. 

If you are having trouble setting up or have questions about the Mobile BearCard, contact the BearCard office at (501) 450-5818 or email [email protected].