Potsdam University’s Chip Card (PUCK)

After your payment, your Potsdam University’s Chip Card (PUCK) will be issued and delivered by post. The envelope contains:

• Potsdam University’s Chip Card (PUCK)
• Information about the activation of your University account
• TAN-list (PULS- Potsdamer Universitätslehr- und Studienorganisationsportal)
  • Access to this portal will allow you to print certificates of enrollment, register for classes, etc.

The PUCK is sent automatically after enrollment.

Please be patient and wait for the delivery of the PUCK. In this period we have our peak workload, but we do our best to send out all documents promptly.

Please understand that the documents cannot be collected personally.

EXCEPTIONS
Exchange and non-degree seeking students will get the PUCK due to organizational matters personally at the International Office.

I’ve lost my PUCK card, or it was stolen. What do I need to do?

If your PUCK is lost or stolen, you can apply for a new replacement card via PULS.
Under "My Functions" – "Documents Upload", you can submit an application for a replacement card.
You will need to upload a passport photo and a valid official photo ID. When you submit your application, you will receive the bank details for transferring the 10 euros. The new PUCK card will be created and sent when all required documents have been uploaded and the 10 euros have been credited to the University of Potsdam’s bank account.

Please make sure that you have entered your current address in PULS.

As an alternative, you can also use the office hours of the PUCK Service Point (Tuesday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Thursday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM). Please bring a valid official photo ID, a passport photo and a debit card (girocard, formerly also known as an EC card).

Tips

• Since several types of ID cards serve the same purpose, the following documents are considered equivalent at the PUCK Service Point: Identity card, temporary identity card, driver’s license, and passport.
• Replacement copies subject to a charge: Payments are only possible with a debit card (girocard, formerly also known as EC card) and your PIN! Information on data protection can be found here (PDF).

My PUCK is defective or worn out, and cannot be used. What should I do?

If your PUCK is defective or worn out, you can apply for a new replacement card via PULS.
Under "My Functions" – "Documents Upload", you can submit an application for a replacement card. You will need to upload a passport photo and a valid official photo ID. In addition, the application is not considered effectively submitted until your old PUCK card is received by the Office of Student Affairs.

If you are responsible for the damage to the card, you will receive the bank details for the transfer of €10.00 when you apply. The new PUCK card will be created and sent when all required documents have been uploaded and the €10.00 have been credited to the University of Potsdam’s bank account.

Please make sure that you have entered your current address in PULS.

As an alternative, you can also use the office hours of the PUCK Service Point (Tuesday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Thursday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM). Please bring a valid official photo ID, a passport photo and a debit card (girocard, formerly also known as an EC card).

Tips

• Since several types of ID cards serve the same purpose, the following documents are considered equivalent at the PUCK Service Point: Identity card, temporary identity card, driver’s license, and passport.
• Replacement copies subject to a charge: Payments are only possible with a debit card (girocard, formerly also known as EC card) and your PIN! Information on data protection can be found here (PDF).

Winter Semester (Re-registration period June 15 through July 15)
Starting on July 1, you may use the validation stations to update the validity period of your PUCK. You can print your enrollment certificates and your confirmation of periods of study as well as change your address through the PULS-Portal. The printed certificates contain a verification key that enables any public authority to verify your records.

Summer Semester (Re-registration period January 15 through February 15).
Starting on February 1, you may use the validation stations to update the validity period of your PUCK. You can print your enrollment certificates and your confirmation of periods of study as well as change your address through the PULS-Portal. The printed certificates contain a verification key that enables any public authority to verify your records.

In order to minimize the damage to both the student and the University of Potsdam in the event of loss or theft, please contact the PUCK Service Point by phone or email immediately to have your PUCK card blocked.

If your PUCK card is lost, stolen or otherwise damaged, the remaining credit on the chip card is not lost. If you have a replacement issued at the PUCK Service Point, please inform them that there was still credit on the PUCK.

If you have applied for a replacement via PULS and there is still credit left on the chip card, please inform us by mail (puckuuni-potsdampde). The PUCK Service Point will let you know what you need to do next.

After de-registration, the payment function of PUCK can no longer be used. However, repayment of the remaining balance can then be requested within the semester following de-registration. To do so, you must submit an application for repayment of the remaining balance in PULS under "My Functions" - "Documents Upload". The application will be processed by the PUCK Service Point as soon as the PUCK card has been received by the Office of Student Affairs / International Office.

The repayment will be made by bank transfer by the Potsdam Association for Student Affairs (Studentenwerk Potsdam) or, if desired, by cash payment during the opening hours of the Studentenwerk Potsdam, Bursary, Babelsberger Strasse 2, 14473 Potsdam.

Submit the application for repayment of the remaining balance together with your application for de-registration. This is because you will no longer have access to PULS from the last working day (Monday - Friday) before the day your de-registration goes into effect. If you want to submit an application after de-registration, please contact the PUCK Service Point directly.

Your PUCK card is a high-tech device. We recommend careful handling to ensure its functionality. You should take special care not to damage the microchip located on the card.

Please avoid the following:

• Bending the card (can break the antenna),
• Slight yet permanent curving of the card, or exposing it to high temperatures (causes problems in imprinting the data on the thermochromatic strips during validation),
• Soiling and scratching the surface of the card, as well as other physical damages (damage to the thermochromatic layer, the laminate, and the labeling),
• Chemical effects (such as those caused by washing the card).

You should always keep your PUCK card in a protective sleeve to ensure that it enjoys a long life. Be sure when selecting a protective sleeve that it does not contain plasticizers, which can damage the card, for example by fading the photo on your PUCK card.

If your PUCK card becomes unusable due to improper handling, then you will have to pay for the issuance of a replacement card.