CASE STUDY
Auburn University Goes Mobile First
Three years after launch, Auburn retired the physical ID card for good. Powered by Illumia and Allegion.
Overview
In fall 2021, Auburn University gave its 38,000 students, faculty, and staff a choice: keep the plastic TigerCard, or leave it behind and use a phone or watch instead. Three years later, that choice became the only option. In fall 2024, Auburn's Tiger ID office stopped producing physical student ID cards altogether. The mobile TigerCard became the university's official, and only, form of student identification.
That shift didn't happen by accident. It's the result of phenomenal collaboration between Illumia and Allegion. Allegion served as Auburn's credential provider, combining Schlage reader technology and their network of reader eco-system partners with Illumia's detailed project management and CS Gold system to support a connected campus experience. Auburn empowered students, faculty, and staff with a single mobile credential throughout their daily campus journey. The result is a compelling proof point for how institutions can simplify campus experiences, strengthen security, and successfully transition to a mobile-first future at scale.
80%+
student adoption in year one, without requiring anyone to give up their physical card
3,000+
Schlage readers now handle every tap across campus
0
physical ID cards issued to incoming students starting fall 2024
(Source: Auburn University Tiger ID office, 2021–2024.)
In their own words
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We're thrilled to launch contactless technology at Auburn. It's something our students have wanted, and we have worked hard to bring the safest, most secure, and most convenient method of accessing buildings and services to campus."
— Bobby R. Woodard, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Auburn University
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Safety and security factored in — it's a lot harder to swap a phone than a physical card. Convenience, too. And sustainability was an issue as well, because we're trying to be more sustainable on campus. If we don't have to print physical cards, we're reducing our carbon footprint."
— Melanie Chambless, Director of Tiger ID, Auburn University
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I find it convenient and easy to use. I haven't had any trouble using it so far, and I prefer this over an actual ID card."
— Austin Suber, Pre-Nursing Student, Auburn University
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