Do You Need a Blaster Card?

Short Answer:  Absolutely!

Long Answer:

In these days of  heightened security awareness, the Colorado School of Mines has decided upon a policy of requiring each student and member of the staff and faculty to possess a valid identification card.  This card must be presented upon demand by any CSM official.

The BlasterCard is a multi-function ID card.  It not only contains a magnetic stripe on the back in which the person's card number is encoded, it also is a proximity card that can be used in conjunction with CSM's access control system.  There are other uses for the card as identified below:

Students

Anyone with a credit card can put money ("BurroBucks") in private accounts accessible via your BlasterCard.  This means you will be able to use your BlasterCard in places like the bookstore, food court, coffee carts, library, copy machines, and printers.  Your meal plan will also be accessible, so you can use your card in any of the campus dining facilities.

The laundry facilities in student housing will accept BurroBucks, and your card will enable access to the exterior doors of your individual housing facility after hours.

Your BlasterCard will also gain you access to activities you have paid for, such as football and basketball games.  You can even use your BurroBucks for concessions.

Staff & Faculty

In addition to all of the above, where appropriate, you will need a BlasterCard for after-hours access to academic and administrative buildings.