Panther Student ID Card

Photo Submission

New students, faculty, and staff will receive an email with instructions and a secure link to upload their photo for their Panther Card.

Photo Guidelines

Before uploading your photo, make sure:

• You’re facing forward and not too close to the camera

• The background is a solid color

• Both shoulders are visible

• You are the only person in the photo

• You’re not wearing a hat

• There are no filters, text, or logos covering your face

• You cannot use your driver’s license photo

 All ID cards are currently being generated and replaced remotely, so submitting your photo online is required.

Picking Up Your ID Card

You can pick up your Panther Card at:

• Residential Life & Housing, or

• The Campus Information Desk in Frame-Westerberg Commons

Please submit your photo at least one week before arriving on campus so that your card can be encoded for residence hall access.

You will not be able to move into your room without your ID card.

What Your Panther Card Is Used For

Your Panther Card grants access to:

• Library services – Check out books and materials

• Campus facilities – Use equipment in the Commons, Sports Center, and Fitness Center

• Residence halls – Card access to your building and room (If you live in Alexander House, Fesenmeyer, Rice, Dorn, or Reid-Coit, be sure to include your building and room number when entering your address)

• Dining – Use your meal plan, FLEX, or SHOP Dollars at dining locations

• Events – Entry to certain athletic events and student activities

• Campus purchases – Spend FLEX and SHOP Dollars at:

  • Vending machines

  • Panther Shop (food & beverage)

  • Hanley Library Café

  • Qdoba Café

  • Marilyn Horne Hall Café

  • Skip the line! Mobile ordering is available at the Commons Café, featuring QDOBA Mexican Eats, order ahead and pick up when your food is ready.

    • Instructions for installing the App

• Classroom access – For enrolled students in Duke Building classes only

Add Funds to Shop Dollars

• Add cash at the PHIL station near the Dining Hall in the Frame-Westerberg Commons.

• For credit/debit or other payment methods, visit Enrollment Services in the Hangar Building

Lost or Expired Cards

Important Things to Know

• Your ID is valid for the entire time you're enrolled — no need to renew it annually.

• You can still eat in the dining hall if you’ve lost your ID — Metz keeps a list of meal plan participants.

  • If your card is missing for more than a couple of days, request a replacement to regain access to Shop and Flex funds.

• Your first Panther Card is free. Lost cards cost $25, and the fee will be charged to your student account.

  • For students, this will be billed to your student account

  • Visit Panther Services in the Frame-Westerberg Commons to request a new ID

  • If your card is lost, Panther Services will check for unauthorized use before deactivating it.

  • Once a new card is printed, your old one is deactivated and cannot be used.

  • If your magstripe is damaged, you can request a free replacement (with the damaged card returned).

    • Faculty and Staff by emailing rds54@pitt.edu

    • Students can email upb.housing@pitt.edu

      • 📬 Your replacement card will be placed in your student mailbox in a cream-colored envelope. Return the damaged card in the same envelope to the mail clerk.

• Faculty and staff with cards expiring within 30 days may request a new card using their current photo by emailing rds54@pitt.edu

Students can check their meal plan, FLEX, and SHOP Dollar balances using the eAccounts portal.
Learn more about using eAccounts here.

Skip the line! Mobile ordering is available at the Commons Café, featuring QDOBA Mexican Eats — order ahead and pick up when it’s ready.

Instructions for installing the App

My Card Isn’t Working

If you're experiencing issues with your Panther Card for dining, building access, purchases, or any other service, CTM Services is here to assist you.

Email upbhelpdesk@pitt.edu to open a help ticket.

Be sure to include as much detail as possible, including:

• Your name and student ID number

• The date, time, and location where the issue occurred

• A brief description of the problem

We'll investigate the issue and get back to you as soon as possible.