Roanoke College now offers Maroon Card on phones and device wearables

Kaylen Ayres '25 has watched classmate after classmate call on the help of friends when they've misplaced their Maroon Card and been locked out of their dorm or other buildings on campus. How helpful it would be to have a Maroon Card stored in a more digitally convenient fashion, Ayres said.  

Done! In the new year, Roanoke College students will be able to have access their Maroon Card from their smart devices. "Oh wow! That is exciting for campus," Ayres said. “I think it will be especially helpful.”  

With the new year, Roanoke College students, faculty and staff will be able to have their Maroon Card on their phones. Add the mobile Maroon Card to your phone to conveniently, safely and securely access campus buildings, use the meal plan and more. Transact Campus is the mobile credential solution provider offering these NFC-enabled digital IDs for Roanoke College’s Maroon Card. 

The mobile Maroon Card works everywhere the physical Maroon Card does. You can use the mobile Maroon Card to get into your residence hall and campus facilities, swipe for the meal plan at the Commons or other campus eateries, tap into the Belk Fitness Center, access Fintel Library, print documents and attend campus events — with just a tap of your phone or device wearable.  

The move from physical cards to a mobile Maroon Card on phones and device wearables allows for transactions that are safe, convenient and help students avoid touching the readers or handing their ID cards to someone else. Roanoke College already issues physical Maroon Cards remotely without the need to see students in-person, creating a safer, more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly process.    

"Information Technology has been working with Transact to bring this exciting new technology to Roanoke's campus,” said Terri Fox ‘90, Roanoke’s chief information officer, Information Technology.  “Students already carry their phones everywhere. This allows them to have easy access to facilities, dining, printing and purchases. We look forward to bringing our Maroon Card technology to the next level!" 

Maroon Card on phones and device wearables is also protected by two-factor authentication to ensure only the student can access their own account, even if someone else knows their password.  

The mobile Maroon Card can be used to access Maroon Money accounts to make purchases at other convenient locations that accept Maroon Money. To use your mobile Maroon Card and Maroon Money, simply tap your phone or watch against the reader and you’re done! Tap and go! That's all it takes!  

Mobile Maroon Card does not replace the physical Maroon Card. Users will still keep a physical card. 

There is minimal set up required to use the Maroon Card Mobile Credential and most users will be able to begin using it in minutes.  For more information and to get started, visit https://www.roanoke.edu/marooncard.