ecUM – electronic card Universität Mannheim
The ecUM (electronic card University of Mannheim) is a multi-functional smart card which serves as identification card for students, staff members and guests at the University of Mannheim. The ecUM authorizes you to access certain buildings and rooms of the university and serves as your library card. In addition, you can use the ecUM for cashless payment at the Mensa, EO Cafeteria and Café Soleil.
Starting on 1 July 2025, the ecUM will have a new design. There will no longer be a photo on the front of the card. Please note that the ecUM is only valid with an official photo ID. The change affects all newly issued cards. Existing cards with photos remain valid and can continue to be used.
You can use the ecUM
- as University of Mannheim identification card / student ID card / guest ID / guest ID for institutions
- for accessing certain buildings and rooms (application required, see access authorization)
- as library card (with your personal Uni-ID)
- for cashless payment at the Mensa, EO Cafeteria and Café Soleil
- to use the lockers at the University Library
- for getting the stamp indicating the period of validity
- to transfer money to your print account
How do I get my ecUM when I’m a new employee?
Upon recruitment, you will receive your activated ecUM via internal post.
How can I validate and re-validate my ecUM?
You need to validate your ecUM by printing a stamp of the period of validity on your card. Each semester, you need to re-validate the card. Please validate or re-validate your ecUM at the dedicated validity printers at the university. The locations of the dedicated printers (only validity imprint) are:
- A 5 in the library
- A 3, in the library on the 2nd floor
- Schneckenhof Süd at the InfoCenter
- L 1, 1 Express-Service
- Ehrenhof West, in the librabry on the 2nd floor
- Schloss Westflügel at the Central Lending Library, ground floor
At the dedicated printer, you only have to insert the card and it will be printed and ejected again.
Where can I apply for a new ecUM?
If your card is lost, defective, or its status changes, you can apply for a replacement card. To do so, please contact the IT-Service-Desk (InfoCenter) directly. If you suspect that your ecUM has been lost, please block it as soon as possible via the MyUni-ID website.
Paying with ecUM – Where can I top up my ecUM?
Paying with ecUM
In the Cafeterias and the Mensa, you can always use your ecUM card for payment. You can also use ecUM for payment in the institutions of the Studierendenwerk as well as for coffee and washing machines. We recommend that you use ecUM for all payment on campus so that you can benefit from the lowest price. In all Cafeterias and the Mensa, there is at least one register where you can pay in cash, but due to the increased work an extra 25% are added to the price which you would pay using ecUM.Where can I top up my ecUM?
The ecUM can be reloaded with cash at select cash registers in the cafeteria, Café Soleil, and the EO.You can also participate in the cashless Autoload program offered by the Mannheim Student Services Organization. After registering for the Autoload service (online or at the information desk in the Mensaria am Schloss), you can top up your ecUM card via direct debit authorization through the Autoload service portal.
You can also find more information about topping up your ecUM card on the Studierendenwerk website.
Do you need help? Please contact the InfoCenter of the University IT, if you have problems using the ecUM. We will help you as quickly as possible and in an uncomplicated way. We are located in Schloss Schneckenhof Süd but are also happy to help you by phone at +49 621 181-3027 or via e-mail at id.unituni-mannheim.de .