Unlocking UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide to Your BruinCard and Campus Access

Embarking on your academic journey at UCLA is an exciting endeavor. Among the many resources available to you, the BruinCard stands out as a crucial tool for accessing various campus facilities, services, and events. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the BruinCard, its functionalities, and how to maximize its benefits during your time at UCLA.

What is a BruinCard?

The BruinCard serves as your official UCLA identification card, granting you access to a wide range of campus resources and services. It's more than just an ID; it's your key to unlocking the full UCLA experience.

BruinCard Functionalities

The BruinCard offers a multitude of functionalities, making it an indispensable tool for every UCLA student, faculty, and staff member.

Official University ID

Your BruinCard serves as your official UCLA identification. You can use your BruinCard to get into campus events, as ID for student voting, tests and finals.

Debit Card (EasyPay)

The BruinCard functions as a pre-paid debit card through the EasyPay system. This feature allows you to make purchases at various on- and off-campus merchants, including food vendors and bookstores. There are no fees associated with using EasyPay. Simply deposit money onto your card and start using it. Baja Fresh is one of the Westwood businesses that accept BruinCards. In order for merchants to be able to accept BruinCards, they must have specific equipment that enables them to take EasyPay. Brad Sills, the owner of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, said he does not plan on purchasing the VeriFone technology as very few students have come in asking if they can use their BruinCards in his store. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and California Pizza Kitchen are other Westwood merchants that do not take EasyPay.

Read also: UCLA Campus From Above

Library Card

Use your Bruin Card to check out books and pay for copies.

Gym Pass

Your BruinCard serves as your official gym pass. Simply scan your card as you enter and have full access to gym facilities.

Meal Card

Use your BruinCard for meal swipes at any residential restaurants in On Campus Housing.

Access Card

Your BruinCard grants you access to various buildings and facilities on campus, including:

On-Campus Housing residential buildings and rooms
Campus libraries
Engineering Buildings: Effective March 1, 2026, select doors to Engineering VI will be locked at all times, in addition to the security measures implemented last October for Buildings IV and V. These locked doors will be accessible only via an authorized BruinCard. Eight doors on the second through fifth floors that open to exterior stairwells on the east side of the building will be locked at all times. Entry from those doors will require an authorized BruinCard. For UCLA Samueli faculty, staff and students, simply swipe or tap your BruinCard using the card reader located at the building entrances.

Laundry Card

Use your BruinCard at all On Campus residential building and University Apartments laundry facilities and never have to worry about collecting quarters again!

Obtaining a BruinCard

You can apply for a BruinCard online or in person at Kerckhoff Hall 123. If you would like to review the Terms & Conditions and fill out the application before going in person to get your card, you can access the application form here.

Replacing a Lost or Stolen BruinCard

If your BruinCard is lost or stolen, or you suspect it is not in your possession, IMMEDIATELY SUSPEND YOUR CARD. To obtain a replacement card, visit a BruinCard Center. The fee to replace a lost/stolen card is $25.00 fee (subject to change). We do not offer temporary BruinCards.

Recreation Facility Access with BruinCard

UCLA Recreation offers various membership options for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members, each providing access to different facilities.

Student Access

UCLA students who are enrolled in the current quarter AND pay the Wooden & SPARC fees automatically get Rec facility access.

Undergrad Students: JWC, BFIT, Drake Stadium, Pools, SCRC and Tennis Courts
Graduate Students: JWC, KREC, Drake Stadium, Pools, SCRC and Tennis Courts

Students in self-supporting degree programs do not get automatic Rec facility access. Currently enrolled students who do not pay the Wooden and SPARC Fees via Bruin Bill (i.e.Self-supporting degree programs) Recent Graduates: Eligible to purchase one additional quarter immediately following graduation. Not enrolled in the current quarter (i.e. continuing, leave of absence, filing fee, withdrawn statuses)

Read also: Discover University View Academy

Faculty and Staff Access

UCLA Faculty & Staff Facility Access: JWC, KREC, Drake Stadium, Pools, SCRC, and Tennis Courts. Due to the onboarding process, new hires must wait 5-7 business days from the date of hire to be eligible to purchase a Rec membership.

Alumni Access

UCLA Alumni Facility Access: JWC, Pools, Drake Stadium, SCRC, and Tennis Courts UCLA Alumni are individuals who have graduated from the undergraduate or graduate degree programs at UCLA. UCLA Extension students are not eligible for the Alumni rate. Students who have earned a professional certificate from a “non-degree program” are not eligible for the alumni rate. Graduates of other UCs are not eligible for the alumni rate.

Community Access

Community Facility Access: JWC, Pools, Drake Stadium, SCRC, and Tennis Courts.

Digital Access

Active Recreation members can use a BruinCard to scan in OR download our UCLA Recreation App for a digital barcode: Apple or Android

UC Reciprocity

UC Reciprocity is a partnership between all University of California Campus Recreation departments that allows all UC students, faculty, and staff who have an active Campus Recreation membership to utilize recreation facilities across all UC campuses for free for up to 7 days.

Important Considerations for Recreation Facility Access

Membership Enrollment: Submit a Member Enrollment Form. Expect enrollment instructions within 2-3 business days
ID Verification: Once a Rec account has been activated for membership purchase, ID verification is required to gain Recreation facility access. All members are required to present a valid government issued photo ID at first visit at John Wooden Center or Sunset Canyon Rec Center during hours of operation.
Family Memberships: Family membership is available for two adults and up to four minors (0-17 years old, SCRC access only). Membership is required for all ages, including infants. Adults 18+ years do not qualify as minors for family membership and must create their own Recreation profile to purchase individual Rec memberships.
Household Adult Memberships: Household adults can purchase a membership at the same rate and get access to the same facilities as the primary Rec member. The affiliated member must have an active student membership or Recreation membership AND proof of shared residential address is required. Primary member and household adult must reside at the same address to be eligible. Examples of proof: current lease agreement, utility bills, driver’s license, marriage/domestic partner certificate showing name and address.
Lockers: Lockers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and are not guaranteed. An active Recreation membership is required to purchase and maintain a locker rental. The maximum locker rental duration is one quarter.
Guest Passes: Adult guests sign required Facility Waiver and Recreation Community Expectations upon arrival. Guest passes are non-refundable. For the safety of all users, members are prohibited from sponsoring individuals who are unknown to them and encouraged to report any such solicitations to Rec staff.
Facility Policies: Each facility is subject to specific policies and age restrictions. Only UCLA Recreation Personal Fitness Trainers and Instructors may conduct training sessions in any UCLA Recreation facility. Violations of Recreation policies may result in loss of membership.
Cancellations: It is the member’s responsibility to submit the Cancellation Request Form prior to the 15th of the current month to avoid being charged for the following month.
Closures: UCLA Recreation will follow University protocol regarding closure dates, hours of operations, and in-person activity. Membership extensions, transfers, refunds, and discounts are not offered due to facility and campus closures (i.e. observed holidays, health and cleaning requirements, inclement weather, and any unsafe conditions).

Troubleshooting BruinCard Access

Engineering Building Access: If your BruinCard is not authorized for access to Engineering IV and V buildings, contact the relevant department personnel and explain why you need access to these buildings.
Damaged BruinCard: While walk-ins are accepted, it is best to schedule an appointment at bruincard.ucla.edu. The fee is $25 for a lost or stolen card or $5 for a card exchange. Payment is by debit or credit card only; cash or Apple Pay will not be accepted. government-issued ID card.
BruinCard Not Properly Coded: If you’re affiliated with UCLA Samueli but your BruinCard is not properly coded.
Accessing Math Sciences from Lot 9:
1. Try to use one of the pedestrian access points from P9 located on both the East and West side of the building.
2. Refrain from using the vehicle entry point located across the Engineering IV building entrance.
3. Use the curb leading to Boelter Hall South West corner and use either the first floor entry or the second floor entry (across the CNSI dock).
4. Do not prop doors open or allow others to follow you into the building, especially near the end of the day and after hours. Check behind you to make sure others have a BruinCard before letting them in.

Additional Resources

Bruin OnLine: Bruin OnLine provides eligible users with access to UCLA's network infrastructure, including wireless, VPN, proxy server, and dial-up access.
Wireless Access: UCLA provides limited wireless networking services on campus to anyone with a wireless enabled laptop or mobile device. Many of the popular public locations such as Ackerman Union, Northern Lights, Kerckhoff Hall, Powell Library, Charles E. Young Library, and the Faculty Center are included in the coverage area.
Virtual Private Networking (VPN): Did you know that you need to have a campus IP address to access certain services at UCLA? For example, you can’t use your IP address from your home internet connection. However, UCLA provides VPN so that you can still have access to these services from home. A VPN is a secured private network connection built on top of publicly accessible infrastructure. The VPN provides an alternative to using the proxy server for remote access to campus resources as well as a secure method to authenticate to the campus wireless network.
MyUCLA: Please update your contact information on your settings at MyUCLA.

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