Digital BuzzCards Arrive for New Students

As students return to campus, faculty and staff may notice something new: Some students are using a mobile device, not the plastic BuzzCard we all know, as their official Georgia Tech identification and campus credential.

What's Changing

All first-year, transfer, and new graduate students on the Atlanta campus are receiving a digital BuzzCard as their primary credential this year. For most of these students, the digital version is their only BuzzCard. A physical card is issued only in specific circumstances, such as a documented device-compatibility limitation or a religious consideration.

Why You May See Both This Year

Current and returning students will continue using their existing physical BuzzCards until additional campus systems and integrations are ready to support digital credentials more broadly later this semester. More information about system availability can be found on the BuzzCard website.

That means physical and digital BuzzCards will both be in use this year. If a student can't present a physical card, that isn't necessarily a problem — it may simply mean they're an incoming student using their digital credential as intended.

How This Differs From Faculty and Staff Cards

Faculty and staff who activate a digital BuzzCard can continue using both the physical and digital versions; activating one does not deactivate the other. New students do not have that option. Their digital credential replaces the physical card entirely, with exceptions given to those with religious considerations or device compatibility issues.

Questions?

Faculty, staff, or students with questions can contact Swarm Support in person at the Pavilion, by phone at 404.894.2470, or by submitting a support ticket.