University of Central Missouri ID cards have a new look with added red and white coloring along with the mule logo.

The university implemented the new design for the Mule Card on May 22.

Dan Plott, manager of the Campus Card Center, said he is excited about the new card, which is designed to capture the rich history of the Missouri mule and complement UCM’s branding by incorporating UCM colors.

“The little-known fact to some is the Missouri mule is the official state animal of the state of Missouri,” Plott said.

UCM’s mascot is now prominent on the card.

Mules are hardworking animals that pulled wagons and helped move troops and supplies during World War I and World War II.

“The Missouri mule is very symbolic and a unifying factor,” Plott said.

In addition to serving as an ID card, the Mule Card can be loaded with meal plans and Central Cash to pay for printing and for postage for online orders. The card can also be used for free admission to Union Cinema movies.

Kim Nicas, director of the Elliott Student Union, said work on the new card concept began in spring 2017 and was a team effort.

Ian Billingsley, senior programmer/analyst in the Office of Technology, was instrumental in the development of the card. Nicas oversaw the design process and An Quigley, senior designer for University Relations, designed the card.

Nicas said Billingsley suggested the idea to enlarge the cardholder’s name, ID number and photo. She said this helps the Department of Public Safety easily identify individuals.

On the back of the Mule Card, students can find the number for Public Safety, the Counseling Center, and the Office of Student Experience and Engagement.

Plott said having the numbers on the card adds an element of safety and helps students connect to campus resources and information.

Students in the UCM Innovative Public Relations program designed the brochure that is handed out with the new cards.

Plott said focus groups with students on campus and at the Missouri Innovation Campus in Lee’s Summit provided input on the design.

“Some of the information that we received back from the focus groups was that the Maastricht Tower, from a marketing standpoint, wasn’t nearly as prominent as our logo of the mule,” Plott said.

Sabreyna Reese, a sophomore psychology major, said she likes the new card.

“I definitely like how it has more school spirit and red on it because the last ones had a lot of blue and it looked kind of boring and more like U.S. Bank than UCM,” Reese said.

Not everyone on campus is required to acquire the new card.

“It was quickly decided that we were going to re-card through attrition,” Plott said, “meaning that all of our new incoming students would receive a new card, anyone that needed a replacement card would get the new card, and any lost card would be replaced with a new card.”

Plott said the old card will continue to function normally.

The process for printing the new cards has changed to ensure color consistency.

“Previously we printed the entire card face. This is actually a pre-printed card,” Plott said. “Then all we add is the photo, name and ID number.”

In June, the ID office hosted a re-card event where students could purchase the new card for $5.

Plott said the office is scheduled to host another $5 re-carding event from Sept. 10-14, the week of Family Weekend.

“Students, staff, faculty – anybody that just wants to freshen up their card, get a new card design, get a new photo – we’ll be doing a re-carding that week,” Plott said.

For anyone who loses a card, Plott said the replacement fee is still $20.

“We’re really excited about it. I think it’s been very well received. We had a lot of positive comments,” Plott said. “We did survey our freshmen during orientation with a follow-up and it was like 90-something percent really liked the card design.”

To receive a new card or replace a lost one, visit the Campus Card Center in Room 207A in the Elliott Student Union.

For more information, visit www.ucmo.edu/offices/elliott-student-union/ucm-mule-card/.