Cougar Card Agreement

The Cougar Card is the official College of Charleston ID card; hereinafter referred to as the “Card.” The individual identified on the Card is the “Cardholder.” The Card is offered in two formats: mobile (preferred), which can be used on supported mobile devices, or a physical card.  The Cardholder may only have one format. A Cardholder may additionally choose to open an optional Cougar Cash declining balance account; hereinafter referred to as the “Account.” The mechanism for accessing the Account shall be the Card. The Card and Account are administered and managed by Campus Services HQ, a unit within Campus Services at the College of Charleston.

By obtaining the Card, regardless of format, the Cardholder agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions outlined below. Should the Cardholder have an existing physical Card, the physical Card will become invalid and inactive upon enabling the mobile Card.

Terms and Conditions

The physical Card is the property of the College of Charleston. Neither the physical Card nor the mobile Card may be shared, transferred, or altered in any way. Both formats of the Card provide access to College of Charleston events, facilities, and services. The Cardholder should be able to show their Card while on campus. 

Any misuse of the Card, including sharing your Card with any other individual, is a violation of the Cougar Card Agreement and will result in disciplinary action, potentially leading to the Card being disabled or confiscated.

Photos are maintained by the College and considered directory information and are not confidential under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The photo is considered part of your official record at the College and may be shared with other College personnel and systems for official College business. Photos may be subject to disclosure to third parties under applicable state and/or federal laws.

The Account is a record of pre-deposited funds accessed by the Cardholder for the purchase of products and services and is non-transferable. There is no daily limit on the number of purchases; however, no charges shall exceed the amount of deposited funds. No interest shall be paid on any balance in the Account. The Account shall not be used as a credit card, to obtain cash advances, or to purchase gift cards. Deposit instructions can be found on the Cougar Card website. A check deposit returned for insufficient funds will incur a $30 fee.

Students and employees should immediately disable a lost or stolen Card via the Cougar Card Portal website or mobile app using their College of Charleston credentials. Next, the lost or stolen Card, regardless of format (physical, mobile device or NFC wearable), must be reported to Campus Services HQ as follows: In person at 162 Calhoun St. during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), or by emailing campusservices@charleston.edu 24/7. Campus Services HQ will provide further instructions for replacing the Card. Students with a physical Card may obtain a replacement Card after hours at Public Safety (89 St. Philip St.). A replacement fee of $30 will be charged for students and contractors for lost, stolen, or damaged physical Cards, and for switching to a mobile Card after a physical Card has been issued; employee replacement fees vary. There is no fee for a physical Card that breaks due to normal wear and tear or is deemed defective as determined by inspection at Campus Services HQ. There is no fee to replace a mobile Card.

The College of Charleston is not responsible for any loss or expense due to theft, misuse, or loss of the Card or any device with a Card. Misuse of the Card will be reported to Public Safety and/or the Office of the Dean of Students and may result in disciplinary action.

If the point-of-sale terminal is equipped to provide receipts, the Cardholder will either receive a receipt as a matter of course, or upon request. It is the Cardholder’s responsibility to ensure the receipt is correct. An activity statement listing all transactions can be generated upon request at Campus Services HQ. Students and employees can access the Cougar Card Portal via MyPortal or use the eAccounts app to review limited transaction history and balance information.

If an error is identified on a receipt or statement, the Cardholder must contact Campus Services HQ in person or via email within two (2) weeks and furnish the following information: name, College ID number, description of the transaction, and dollar amount. Campus Services HQ will investigate and notify the Cardholder within ten (10) business days. If an error is found, Campus Services HQ will make the necessary adjustments to the Cardholder’s Account. The Cardholder may request copies of document(s) used to conduct the investigation. Merchandise may be accepted for return in accordance with the refund policy in effect at the place of purchase of the product(s) or service(s). Refunds shall be credited to the Cardholder’s Account. No cash refunds will be made for any purchase made with the Card.

The Account will be closed if the Cardholder ceases to be a student or employee of the College or a contractor ceases to be an employee of the contracted agency. Campus Services HQ will refund the account balance only after receipt of a written request. No refunds will be issued for Account balances of less than $10. Refunds will be issued to students who are graduating or have been granted a leave of absence or withdrawal by the Office of the Registrar and employees or contractors who are no longer employed. Refunds are credited to the eBill. If the refund results in a credit on the eBill and if the student or employee has a direct deposit account on file with the College, the refund will be deposited directly to that account; otherwise, the College of Charleston will mail a check to the Cardholder at the permanent address on record with the College. If the student or employee has a balance on their eBill, the refund will be applied as a credit toward the balance. Campus Services HQ reserves the right to close any Account that is inactive for eighteen (18) months or more. Unclaimed balances in Accounts that are inactive for more than eighteen (18) months will be reclaimed by the College.   

Information about the Cardholder’s Account will be disclosed to third parties only for the following reasons: to complete a transaction; to comply with a government agency or court order; in conjunction with all other Cardholder’s Accounts in the aggregate but not specific to any individual’s Account; or with the Cardholder’s written permission.

The terms and conditions of the agreement are in effect and remain binding until the Cardholder is no longer affiliated with the College. If changes are made to the terms and conditions pertaining to an active Cardholder, Campus Services HQ shall provide the Cardholder with notice of changes at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of the effective date. Prior notice need not be given where an immediate change in terms and conditions is necessary to maintain or restore the security of the Card, Cardholder or Account.

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina.