BFH card

Identification within and outside BFH.

ID card for the libraries of BFH and the Swiss Library Service Platform (SLSP).

Can be used for cashless payment at public printers and photocopiers, a range of vending machines and some BFH canteens.

Out-of-hours access to BFH buildings and parking areas with electronic access control.

All students registered at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) receive an ID card in the form of a BFHcard. The BFHcard  contains a chip that allows a range of additional functions.

The currently available additional functions include:

• Access control to BFH premises
• Copying/printing on printers used by BFH 
• Payment for food/drinks in the HAFL canteen in Zollikofen
• Payment for food/drinks at selected vending machines and coffee machines

For all functions of BFHcard to be used, it must be activated by the cardholder at a validation station prior to being used for the first time.

Validation stations are available in all BFH locations. These print in the rewritable area (TRW) of the BFHcard, display transactions made and allow the card segments to be updated.

The BFHcard balance can be topped up quickly, easily and without the use of cash with Polyright Cashless via Online-Banking, TWINT or by credit card. Please note the specific BFH Cashless terms of use.

Anyone who has been issued with a BFHcard is enti tled to use the functions of the card, e.g. making payments using the card.

The BFHcard must be signed by the cardholder in the space provided immediately upon receipt of the card. The card must be treated like cash and kept in a safe place. If a card is lost, it must be blocked immediately by the cardholder (see section 10). When the BFHcard is returned, it will be disposed of in a manner that prevents it from being misused.

The risks associated with misuse or loss of the card shall be borne solely by the cardholder. Misuse can be avoided by blocking the card immediately. The BFH shall assume no liability for damages because of loss or misuse of the BFHcard. The BFH shall also assume no liability for damages because of forgery or counterfeiting of the card.

The cardholder shall not be entitled to claim compensation following technical malfunctions or operational failures that preclude the use of the BFHcard.

If the card is lost or stolen, the cardholder is obliged to block it immediately online at www.selfhelp.bfh.ch. Access to the cardholder’s personal user account shall be possible following authentication with the BFH username and password. Once it has been blocked, all the card’s chip functions will be deactivated immediately.

Blocked cards can be reactivated. To reactivate a blocked card, the cardholder must take the BFHcard to the responsible support office in person.

Defective cards must be reported to the support offices. In the event of a technical defect, the card will be replaced free of charge. The BFH shall not be liable for damage caused to the BFHcard by the cardholder because of a defect.

After blocking of a lost card or notification of a defective card, a new card must be ordered from the relevant sup-port office (see 2. Contact). If the defective/lost card has remaining credit, this will automatically be transferred to the replacement card. A replacement card is usually issued within 48 hours.

The first card is free. Having the card blocked or reactivated is likewise free of charge. In the event of loss, theft or damage to a card as a result of improper use, a fee of CHF 30.– will be charged for the issuing of a replacement card. The BFH reserves the right to amend these conditions at any time.

No particularly sensitive personal data is stored or visible on the BFHcard. The card number saved on the card is the only means of identifying the card and its holder.

Students: The period of use shall end with the termination of matriculation. The BFHcard shall remain in the possession of the student. The additional functions of the BFHcard pursuant to clause 1 of these terms of use may be used by the student from receipt and activation of the card until automatic blocking of the user account after leaving the university.

Lecturers/employees: The period of use shall end upon termination of the employment relationship. Lecturers and employees must hand in their BFHcard  on the day they leave. The additional functions pursuant to clause 1 of these terms of use are available to them from receipt and activation of the BFHcard until the end of the employment relationship.

The sole place of jurisdiction shall be Berne. The legal relationship shall be governed by Swiss substantive law.

If the card is lost, the cardholder is obliged to block it immediately online. Access to the cardholder’s personal user account shall be possible following authentication with the BFH username and password. Once it has been blocked, all of the card’s chip functions will be deactivated immediately. Any credit remaining on the lost card is transferred to the new card. If you use your BFHcard as a library ID card, please remember to inform your library if you lose your card.

Yes, the responsible support office can reactivate a blocked card. This requires that the cardholder takes his/her BFHcard along to the responsible support office in person.

Defective cards must be returned to the responsible support office. On weekdays the card will generally be replaced within 48 hours. The credit balance will be transferred to the new card. If the defect clearly hasn't been caused by the cardholder, a replacement card is issued free of charge.

When a card is validated, depending on the user category, different data are printed onto the rewriteable (TRW) foil at the lower edge of the card (for example, department, division, course of study, period of validity, etc.). Validation is carried out at validation machines, which are generally located in the building foyer.

Students: the period of validity is limited to the current semester. The card needs to be revalidated at the start of each semester.
Lecturers/employees: the card remains valid until the end of the period of employment.

Students can keep their card when they have completed their studies. Lecturers and staff must hand in the BFHcard when they leave. Any remaining credit balance may be reclaimed within 30 days of graduation or termination of the employment relationship at the designated locations.

The BFHcard must be treated like cash and kept in a safe place. Any person in possession of a BFHcard is authorised to use the card's functions. Risks associated with misuse or loss of a card shall be borne exclusively by the cardholder. The BFH accepts no liability for loss or damage arising from misuse.

The support office is available to assist you in the following matte

• Reactivating a blocked card
• Correcting errors in the information contained in the validation strip
• Read errors at designated terminals
• Clarifying the account balance on a card (list of transactions performed)