You've probably seen it, maybe even touched it a hundred times – that CUNY Card. But have you ever stopped to really think about the 16-digit number printed along its lower left edge? That's your CUNY ID number, and while it might seem like just another piece of plastic, it's actually a key to a whole lot of services within the CUNY system, especially at Lehman College.
Think of it as your digital passport. When you need help from the IT Help Desk at Lehman, for instance, they might ask for this number. It's a way for them to quickly identify you and access the right information to assist you, whether you're having trouble with your email, the campus Wi-Fi, or any of the other digital tools available to students, faculty, and staff.
Lehman College, like many CUNY campuses, has a robust IT infrastructure designed to support its community. The Academic Information Technology Center, a hub for students, faculty, and staff, houses computer labs, printing facilities, and importantly, the IT Help Desk. To even get into this center, you'll need to show your CUNY Card. And when you contact the Help Desk, that 16-digit number can be a quick way to streamline the support process.
Beyond just getting help, your CUNY ID number is intrinsically linked to your various CUNY accounts. After you start at Lehman, you'll likely receive several distinct accounts: a Lehman Username, CUNYfirst, CUNY Login, and the CUNY Portal. Each of these uses a unique identifier, often called a userid or username, and a password. While your Lehman username might be something like 'firstname.lastname' (with some variations possible), your CUNY ID number is a more universal identifier across the entire CUNY network.
It's interesting how these numbers and usernames work together. Your Lehman username, for example, grants you access to essential services like your faculty/staff email, the campus wireless network, and Lehman Connect, the campus portal. The IT department provides resources like the Lehman Password Manager to help you set up and manage these accounts. And all of this relies on your ability to identify yourself, which is where that CUNY ID number comes into play.
So, the next time you have your CUNY Card in hand, take a moment to appreciate that 16-digit number. It's a small but significant piece of your academic and professional life within the CUNY system, a silent facilitator of access and support.
