Acquisition Card (ACARD) Tips

Effective 03/06

  1. Per University requirement and through JPMorgan Chase Bank, Colorado State University has changed Cardholder Social Security Numbers over to CSU Employee ID numbers. The CSU Employee ID number is a nine digit number that will fit in the field of the SSN. Whenever you contact JPMorgan Chase, they will ask you for the last four digits of your Social Security Number, instead you will use the last four digits of your CSU Employee ID number.
  2. If you do not know your CSU Employee ID number, go to the following web site: http://rampoint.colostate.edu/cp/home/loginf
    3. Enter your E-Id Log name and Password, on the next page click on My Account that will take you to your CSU Employee ID number.
  3. If the ACARD declines during a transaction, the cardholder must call the 800 number located on the back of the card. Cardholders will be asked to give the last 4 digits of the cardholer's EID number (see above) to speak with a customer service representative. The cardholder will be notified as to why the transaction was denied. The ACARD office cannot produce this information.

Purchases on the card are subject ot our tax-exempt status. This applies to any sales tax within the State of Colorado. Other states may also honor our tax-exempt status either as an entity of the government (of Colorado) or as a public and/or educational entity. Feel free to contact the ACARD Help Desk if you feel our tax status is being wrongfully denied. Merchants wishing to obtain more information may view our tax exemption certificate at the following website:http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/BusFin/apw9form.gif

Due to the stringent University requirements, use of ACARD for non-employee hotel lodging and meal expenses (for visitors, recruits, etc.) is highly discouraged. However, at this time, it is not officially disallowed provided the following criteria is FULLY met:

  1. A proper, fully itemized receipt ("folio") is obtained for the charges.
  2. All charges comply with University policy (i.e. no movie, gift shop, valet, phone, alcoholic beverages, personal phone calls, etc.).
  3. The State of Colorado tax exemption is applied.
  4. Proper documentation ("who, what, why, when, where, how") and approval (physical signature from an official function approver) is provided.

See form here

  1. Only use your card within the current policies of the University and to meet the required needs of your operation! Built-in controls help prevent misuse (such as transaction limits and the exclusion of ATMs, gas stations, airlines, liquor stores, etc.), but only YOU can ensure proper use at all times.
  2. If you use your card for Other Promotion and Development expenses (official functions, training, awards, recruiting, or other promotion and development) AND regardless if your card has standard capabilities or full Official Function status (restaurants and hotel catering allowed), you MUST be aware of all documentation and approval requirements. Review all University policies surrounding these activities at the following website:

http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/BusFin/fpiprodv.html

  1. Purchases on the card are subject to our tax-exempt status. This applies to any sales tax within the State of Colorado. Other states may also honor our tax-exempt status either as an entity of the government (of Colorado) or as a public and/or educational entity.

Merchants wishing to obtain more information may view our tax exemption certificate at the following website:

http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/BusFin/apw9form.pdf

Some merchants may still decline our tax exemption. While they have the right to question status, it may also influence where we conduct business. Feel free to contact the ACARD Help Desk if you feel our tax status is being wrongfully denied.

  1. ALWAYS GET A RECEIPT. The receipt documents the purchase and protects both you and the University. Be sure to get a receipt or some form of independent verification from the vendor AND be sure it provides an accurate detail of the items purchased!
  2. Configuring a Telnet Session for ACARD.  To access the ACARD application, you must connect to delta.colostate.edu using a telnet client that supports the telnet print protocol. Tera Term Pro, a non-secure telnet client, fully supports the telnet print protocol. Windows Secure Shell (SSH), a secure telnet client, is recommended for accessing the ACARD application from off-campus connections, although it currently (Jan. 2004) does not fully support printing. Both SSH and Tera Term Pro are available on the Web at http://csusoftware.colostate.edu/. Your network administrator should contact Elden Flick at Information Systems (491-7952) for assistance configuring ACARD telnet sessions.
  3. Resources and Contacts for your specific questions and concerns are available from:
    1. The ACARD website
    2. The ACARD Help Desk: phone(970) 491-5752 , fax (970) 491-5523 or e-mail ACARD@purchasing.colostate.edu