Orca Student ID Card

Orca Cards now available at the Student Help Desk in the Learning Commons!

Currently registered students (meaning students who are registered for at least 1 credit) can stop by the Student Help Desk on the main floor of the Learning Commons anytime during open hours to get an ID card photo taken. Students must bring a form of official photo ID.
The first Orca Card is free, but if necessary, you can get a replacement Orca Card for a $15 fee. You can pay the fee either online or during the Cashier Window’s open hours in LDC. Bring your receipt to the Student Help Desk to get your card replaced.
NOTE: if your Orca Card is not working for campus services or on the WTA bus touch-pass system, please contact the Student Help Desk in the Learning Commons, at studenthelpdesk@whatcom.edu, or by calling 360-383-3410.

What can I do with my Orca Card?

Take unlimited rides on Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) buses while enrolled
Access the WCC Student Recreation Center.
Check out books and materials from WCC Library
Copy and print at campus printers and copy machines ($15 preloaded each quarter)
Make purchases at WCC Campus Store and vending machines if funds are deposited.
Attend WCC athletic events.
Take advantage of student discounts at local businesses.

Unlimited WTA bus service

As of winter quarter 2017, Orca Cards include unlimited, pre-paid access to local bus service for currently enrolled WCC students as a result of the student-initiated, student-approved fee of $20 per quarter. Students overwhelmingly supported this initiative, saving Whatcom students 50% on comparable bus passes each quarter.

To use your Orca Card on WTA buses, hold your card flat to the Umo fare payment reader when boarding. The bus pass function on the Orca Card will only work during quarters in which you are taking classes.

Orca Card fund deposit

Funds can be deposited to your Orca Card online, or in person at the P.O.D. (place of deposit) stations on campus located in SSC and HNR (cash only). See below for information about different accounts funds may be deposited into.

Parents and friends can make guest deposits to a student's account using the Orca Card guest deposit feature, which enables them to deposit money into a cardholder's Orca cash, bookstore, or dining dollars account. A parent or guest will need to enter the student's nine-digit Whatcom student ID number and the student's last name to complete the process.

On-Campus Printing - Funds can only be used for printing documents at all campus printers and copy machines. Balance is automatically set to add $15.00 at the beginning of each quarter you are taking classes.
Dining Dollars - Funds can only be used for purchases at WCC food service locations (The Cove in the Learning Commons).
Bookstore - Funds can be used for purchases at WCC Campus Store.
Orca Cash - Funds can be used anywhere on campus where Orca Cards are accepted as payment. If other accounts are depleted, funds will automatically be drawn from this account.

FAQs

What damages an Orca Card?
Below is a list of common actions that can damage the chip inside the card or otherwise render it unreadable:
- Putting the card through the washer and/or dryer
- Exposing the card to extreme heat
- Punching a hole or slot in the card
- Using the card as an ice scrapper for the windows of your vehicle
- Bending or twisting the card
- Exposing the card to chemicals
Where can I see my transactions and balance?

You can obtain a receipt every time you make a deposit to your Orca Card. You will also receive a receipt of your transaction every time you use your account or use your Orca Card account at one of the POD (Place of Deposit) terminals. You may also go online to view up to 30 days of transaction history.
What if there is an error on my account?

Each time you use your Orca Card, you have the ability to display your balance. If an error or discrepancy is discovered on your Orca Card account, you must notify the Student Help Desk immediately to resolve the issue at 360.383.3410 or studenthelpdesk@whatcom.edu.

If you fail to notify the Student Help Desk within 10 days after the statement was mailed or given to you, and it can be proven that properly informing the Student Help Desk would have prevented further unapproved use of your Orca Card account, the money lost after the 10 days may not be credited to your Orca Card account. If a valid reason, such as a long trip or hospital stay, kept you from notifying the office, the time period may be extended.
Are there limits to the Orca Card?

There are no limits on the number of transactions on your Orca Card account. However, the dollar amount of your transactions may not exceed your current Orca Card account balance. Overdrafts are not possible. The maximum balance you may carry on your Orca card account is $1,000.

Student accounts will be deactivated after four quarters of non-use. All inactive Orca Card account balances will be held by WCC for at least two years. During this period, cardholders may request a refund of their balance. After two years, balances held will be turned over to the State of Washington as unclaimed property. Unclaimed property can be retrieved indefinitely by contacting the Washington State Department of Revenue office at 800.435.2429.
How can I get my remaining Orca Card balance?

Orca card account balances may be refunded upon written request only after a student has withdrawn from Whatcom. The request must include your name and Orca Card account number (student or employee ID number), along with a current mailing address. You can stop by the business office, Laidlaw Center 141, and complete a refund form or send an email to businessoffice@whatcom.ctc.edu from your WCC email account. All refunds are processed by check and will be issued within 10 business days of receipt of the written request. Account balances of less than $25 will not be refunded. If there are charges on an existing student's account, they must be paid before refunds are issued. Cash refunds or withdrawals are not permitted.

The Orca Card debit account program reserves the right to make appropriate and agreed upon adjustments or corrections to the amounts assigned to each card. Any such adjustment or correction will be fully disclosed in the cardholder’s transaction summary.
Do employees get an Orca card?

All WCC employees should obtain an ID card from the employee help desk. Staff ID cards can be used for door access to classrooms and labs, to check out library books and other equipment, attend sporting and other events at WCC, and when the proper funds are deposited, make campus purchases and access the Student Recreation Center. Staff ID cards do not include free access to local WTA bus service. If employees have questions about their ID cards, they should contact Human Resources at 360.383.3400 or hr@whatcom.ctc.edu.
What do I agree to when I use my Orca Card?

By using the Orca Card, students agree that they understand the intended uses of the card. They also understand the intended purpose of this card, its limitations and the restrictions upon which this card has been issued and agree to ALL its terms and conditions. Students agree to surrender the card to the College if the card is used in a way that is deceitful, illegal or for a purpose other than what was agreed to when the card was issued.Terms and conditions are available in Orca Central.
I have been admitted to Whatcom. Can I get my Orca Card?

You must be registered for at least one class at WCC in order to obtain an Orca Card. It typically takes 24-48 hours after registration for your information to be submitted into the Orca Card system. After that time, please stop by Orca Central located in Heiner Center to get your Orca ID Card.
If I am only taking online classes, do I need an Orca card?

We recommend that every student has an Orca ID Card. Although you may not use it very often, the card may come in handy if you need to visit the computer lab, library or attend an event on campus. Plus you have access to WTA bus service as part of your paid tuition and fees.
What if my card is lost, stolen or damaged?
The Orca Card is the property of Whatcom Community College. It is the student’s responsibility to properly care for it.
- If the student’s Orca Card is not working on campus services or WTA buses, please visit the Student Help Desk to have the card assessed.
- If the student’s Orca Card has been lost or stolen, it is recommended to deactivate the card.
- For a replacement Orca Card, a $15 replacement fee will be charged. The replacement fee can be paid at the cashier’s window in LDC, and receipt brought to Student Helpdesk located in Learning Commons.
- The Helpdesk Manager may waive the replacement fee if you are able to prove that your card has been stolen by providing a police report.
How do I deposit funds on my Orca Card?

Deposits may be made online via MyWCC with a credit card (Visa and MasterCard) or with cash at the POD (Place of Deposit) stations located in Heiner Center and Syre Student Center. Parents and friends can make guest deposits to a student's account using the Orca Card guest deposit feature, which enables them to deposit money into a cardholder's Orca cash, bookstore, or dining dollars account. A parent or guest will need to enter the student's nine-digit Whatcom student ID number and the student's last name to complete the process. The student has to have logged into their MyWCC account at least once before you will be able to make a deposit as a parent or guest. Funds are immediately available for deposits made by credit card or cash. Positive balances that remain on Orca Card accounts roll over to the next term or year. Orca Card account balances are non-interest bearing and there are no charges for using your Orca Card debit account. Cash withdrawals or refunds from active Orca Card accounts is not permitted.
Is personal information stored on my Orca Card?
No personal information is stored on the Orca Card. Unless otherwise required by law, the office of student life and development may not disclose information to third parties about your account or the transfers you make. The following exceptions may apply:
- Where it is necessary for completing transfers;
- In order to verify the existence and condition of your account for a third party;
- If the office of student life and development receives written permission from the Orca Card holder;
- In order to comply with government agencies or court orders or to respond to any other compliance requirement.
WCC is committed to ensuring compliance with the WCC electronic information policy on personally identifiable information.

More FAQ's »