Faculty & Staff
Your Cougar Card is the official University of Houston identification and provides convenient access to campus facilities, services, and resources. Whether you're a new employee, current faculty member, or staff member, your Cougar Card helps you connect with the UH community and securely access the tools you need to work and succeed.
Your Cougar Card can be used for:
- Academic and administrative buildings
- Department and office access
- Select secured locations across campus
- Parking garage and gated lot access (with active parking permit)
- MD Anderson Library Access
- Campus Recreation facilities (with active membership)
- Printing and copier services
- MD Anderson Library book checkout
- Event and program participation
- 10% employee discount at the UH Campus Store
- ShastaBUCKS purchases at participating campus locations
- Cougar Dining Dollars and meal plan transactions across campus
How to get your Cougar Card:
Step 1(For New Employees): Complete Your New Employee Orientation
Before obtaining a Cougar Card, your employment record must be active within University systems. A Cougar Card can only be issued on or after your start date.
Step 2: Submit Your Photo
- Upload your photo through AccessUH in the Cougar Card Connect portal. · Review Photo Requirements before submitting your photo.
- Your submission will be reviewed by Cougar Card Services with 1-2 business days (Monday-Friday)
Step 3 (Option 1): Activate Your Mobile Cougar Card
Once your photo is approved, wait 15 minutes before activating your mobile Cougar Card.
Apple users
- Download and open the UH Go app.
- Click on the button that says “Click here to learn more about mobile Cougar Card.”
- Read the screens and follow the instructions to add the mobile Cougar Card to your iPhone and/or Apple Watch.
Android users
- Download and open the UH Go app.
- Click on the button that says “Click here to learn more about mobile Cougar Card.”
- Read the screens and follow the instructions to download the Atrium Campus Connect app.
Users will need to keep this app on their device in order to access the mobile Cougar Card. Issues activating your mobile Cougar Card? Email cougarcard@uh.edu for assistance.
Learn More: Mobile Cougar Card
Step 3 (Option 2): Get your physical Cougar Card
- Once your photo submission has been approved, make an appointment or join the virtual line through CougarQ in AccessUH.
- Your card will be printed during your visit.
Learn More: Physical Cougar Card
Notice: Only one Cougar Card - mobile or physical (paired with the digital QR code) - can be active at a time. Once you activate your mobile Cougar Card, any physical Cougar Card previously issued will be deactivated. Once activated, there is a $20 fee to switch from the mobile Cougar Card to a physical Cougar Card.
For Building and Departmental Access:
Access permissions are managed by your department and building coordinators.
If you need access to a building, office, lab, or specialized area:
- Contact your supervisor.
- Submit any required access requests through your department's established process.
Cougar Card Services issues credentials but does not approve, assign or manage building access privileges.
ShastaBUCKS for Employees:
ShastaBUCKS is UH's campus declining balance account that allows faculty and staff to make purchases without carrying cash.
How to Manage your ShastaBUCKS account:
- Review your account or add funds online through Cougar Card Connect.
- Sign up for ShastaBUCKS payroll deductions. Learn More: ShastaBUCKS Payroll Deductions
Learn More: ShastaBUCKS