WatIAM is the University of Waterloo’s Identity and Access Management system. WatIAM accounts are the credentials that you will use throughout your education at University of Waterloo for access to various uWaterloo systems. The credentials consist of a userid based on your name (not your student id number) and a password.
Your WatCard is a physical identity card you will receive when you come to the University of Waterloo. It is required to access various services and funds can be added to it for use in Food Services, printing and more!
Read on to learn more about WatIAM and WatCard!
WatIAM
How is your WatIAM userid generated?
You will be informed of your WatIAM userid upon acceptance to the university. A WatIAM userid is a generated using combination of your initials, your surname, and possibly numbers for disambiguation [1].
So what are WatIAM credentials used for?
Your WatIAM credentials will grant you access to essential uWaterloo services such as LEARN, Nexus, Quest, and more!
Wait, what do those services do?
- LEARN allows you to view your course information online. Some course work (assignments, quizzes, etc.) will require you to log into LEARN. Most instructors make the following course information available through LEARN: course syllabus, grades, course materials and more! LEARN provides tools to help you keep track of course work to be done in the future and to stay organized throughout the term.
- Nexus is the Windows-based network authentication and file service at the University of Waterloo. Most student labs and workstations in public student areas require a Nexus account. Students at uWaterloo can log on to their Nexus account using their WatIAM userid and password.
- Quest is where you will request courses for upcoming terms, check enrollment status, pay tuition and more! It is also where you can access your personal information such as unofficial transcripts.
Who has WatIAM credentials?
Current University of Waterloo undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty are all assigned WatIAM credentials [2].
Common WatIAM questions
I forgot my password and the answers to the authentication questions!
When activating your WatIAM account, you will be prompted to answer security questions to allow you to recover access to your account if you forget your password. If you forget both your password and answers to the security questions, you will need to contact helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca or your Faculty help desk and ask for your WatIAM account to be deactivated. Once your account has been deactivated, you will then be able to reactivate your account at the WatIAM site, choose a password, and set at least three security questions. So make sure to keep track of your passwords!
I know my password but can’t log in!
If your account shows signs of having been compromised or used for unauthorized purposes, it is automatically disabled. You will need to visit a computing help desk with proof of your identity (e.g. your WatCard) and ask for your WatIAM account to be unlocked. You may be asked to help identify the cause of the compromise (e.g. shared password with a non-uWaterloo service, virus or other malware, responding to phishing). Once your account has been unlocked, you will then be able to choose a new password and provide new answers to security questions.
I tried reactivating my account, but WatIAM said that my account has already been activated!
There are two possible solutions to this problem:
- Try closing your browser window and then try reactivating your WatIAM account again.
- Make sure that your birthday is entered in US format with slashes: MM/DD/YYYY (07/22/2015 is July 22, 2015)
If these solutions do not help, contact helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca.
WatCard
Upon your acceptance to UWaterloo, you will receive a WatCard which is a physical card (same size as your average credit card) that contains your full name, a picture or yourself (a head shot), student ID number, Faculty, your status and expiration date. WatCards are often available at Student Life 101 or Orientation.
What is the WatCard for?
Your WatCard is a form of photo identification. It can have funds added to it that can be used for food services, printing services (uPrint), Retail Services, the campus library, and more. For full time uWaterloo students, your WatCard also acts as a Grand River Transit (GRT) bus pass for public transit throughout Waterloo Region (you won’t have to worry about carrying around those pesky paper tickets or spare change for the bus). Check out how to add funds to your WatCard and how to check your balance.
*When you have your WatCard, set up your unique pin number in order to access your WatCard information.
How do I get my WatCard?
To get your WatCard, stop by the WatCard office (located in Campus Tech in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) with:
- A piece of government issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
- Your uWaterloo student ID number (have it written on any piece of paper or record it in your phone)
The staff at the WatCard office will gladly set up your card for you!
Lost your Card?
Go to the Deactivate lost card website to deactivate your card, or head over to the Turnkey Desk in the Student Life Centre(SLC). If you find your card, head over to the WatCard office (located in Campus Tech in the lower level of the SLC) and your card will be reactivated for free. However, if your card is still lost, bring photo ID and your student ID number to the WatCard office and a new card will be assigned to you for a fee of $20.00 [3].
References
[1] “WatIAM.” Information Systems & Technology. University of Waterloo. Web. June 1. 2015.
[2] “WatIAM credentials.” Information Systems & Technology. University of Waterloo. Web. June 1. 2015.
[3] “WatCard.” WatCard. University of Waterloo. Web. June 1. 2015.
[4] [University of Waterloo]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/math/sites/ca.math/files/uploads/images/campus-aerial-west-side.jpg
