Dual Identity

FAQ

What is a VUnetID, VUMC ID, and dual identity?

A VUnet ID is a username for Vanderbilt University, and a VUMC ID is a username for Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Each is used to access resources in the respective systems. The institution in which you are employed is your primary institution.

A dual identity refers to a second ID from one of the two institutions and is dependent on their role at the primary institution. In April 2015, the University and the Medical Center became two separate institutions. To facilitate continued collaboration for faculty, staff, and students whose position depends on system access through an unpaid role at the secondary institution, a dual identity, a second ID, can be assigned with leadership approval.

What does it mean to have two identities?

Having two identities means that you have access to applications owned by both Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. You will use your VU VUnetID to access University applications and your VUMC VUnetID to access Medical Center applications.

The VUnetID and VUMC ID will have unique usernames. It is required for users to have unique passwords to maintain secure systems.

How do I know if I have a dual identity?

If you are employed by either the University or the Medical Center and require access to systems owned by both institutions through an un-paid affiliation, you are a dual identity user.

If you are employed by both the university and the Medical Center you are not a dual identity user and do not need to request a VUnetID for either institution. Your VUnetIDs will be auto-provisioned through your respective university or Medical Center HR departments.

How do you obtain a second VUnetID?

If you require a second ID for either the university or Medical Center and one has not already been auto-provisioned reference Request a dual identity for instructions on the application process.

What if I am having trouble using my new login?

If you are having trouble accessing applications with your new login go to the VU or VUMC identity system to test.

  • Log into VU identity management at VU Identity. If you are still unsure call the VUIT Help Desk – (615) 343-9999.
  • Log into VUMC identity management at AccessVU. If you are still unsure call the VUMC IT Help Desk – 615-343-HELP / 3-4357.

What about email?

VUMC employed faculty receive an additional VU email address. The new email address represents the additional VU identity. Faculty will have a university (@vanderbilt.edu) email address and a Medical Center (@vumc.org) email address.

All other VUMC employees who are dual identity are not provisioned an  @vanderbilt.edu email address.

VU students and other VU dual identities are classified as VUMC non-employees and are not assigned an @vumc.org email account.

Managing multiple email accounts

To manage multiple accounts, users are encouraged to use MS Outlook or other email clients that support multiple simultaneous email accounts.

VUMC-employed faculty can consult the following resource https://www.vumc.org/it/vumc-employed-faculty-email.

Is my new VUnetID for the university or the Medical Center?

You should be notified in the initial email communication which organization your new VUnetID is attached to.

A Vanderbilt University ID is referred to as a VU VUnetID and will be associated with the @vanderbilt.edu domain.

A Medical Center ID is referred to as a VUMC VUnetID and will be associated with the VUMC.org domain.

You can test your new IDs by logging into VU & VUMC identity management user services.

    • Log into VU identity management at VU Identity. If you are still unsure call the VUIT Help Desk – (615) 343-9999.
    • Log into VUMC identity management at AccessVU. If you are still unsure call the VUMC IT Help Desk – 615-343-HELP / 3-4357.

When should I use my university VUnetID?

Use your university ID (your VU VUnetID) for applications that are tied to the university, such as Brightspace, YES, VSTAR, and a host of other student- or university-related applications. Look for this log in page.

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If you are an employee of the university, your login to Oracle is your VU VUnetID.

When should I use my Medical Center VUnetID?

Use your Medical Center ID (your VUMC VUnetID) to log in to all clinical applications. Look for this login page.

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If you are an employee of the Medical Center, your login to C2HR is your VUMC VUnetID.

What happens if I use the wrong VUnetID for an application?

One of three things may occur:

  • The application will likely not allow you to log in.
  • The application will let you log in as a new or guest user with no reference to your other identity.
  • The application may allow you to use it with erroneous results.

If you encounter any of these situations, log out and log back in with the correct VUnetID.

If I have dual identities, will I need two ID cards or badges?

Existing ID cards/badges for your primary institution should continue to work for access.

A white VUMC ID card/badge (for identification purposes only – that does not contain a magnetic stripe or chip) will be considered by the VUMC Office of Faculty Affairs on a case-by-case basis for faculty members of the School of Medicine and School of Nursing.

About the IDs

The university ID card is printed on gold cardstock with identifying information. It contains a magnetic stripe and chip to allow additional services such as Meal Money, Commodore Cash, as well as application and facility access.

The Medical Center ID badge is printed on white cardstock with identifying information. It contains a magnetic stripe and chip to allow additional services, such as Badge Bucks (formerly the Commodore Card), application and facility access.

VUMC Card Services (615) 936-3350

VU Card Services (615) 322-2273

How do I know if I need a second ID card or badge for my non-primary institution?

VU students: VU students are not eligible for a VUMC badge.

VU students who are employed at VUMC: VU students will obtain a VUMC student worker badge that does not contain a magnetic stripe or RFID chip from the VUMC Card Office.

VU faculty: VU faculty will submit a request to the VUMC Card Office (S2311 MCN). The Card Office will forward the request to the Office of Faculty Affairs for review. Once reviewed, the Card Office will contact the faculty member with the Office of Faculty Affairs’ decision. If the request is approved, the faculty member will receive a VUMC white badge for identification purposes only.

VUMC employed faculty: TBD

VUMC employees who are VU students: If a VUMC employee is also a student, a separate student record will be created by People Soft Student in the card system, and the VU Card Office (184 Sarratt Center) will issue the VUMC employee a VU gold student card.

For phone numbers and address information, consult the Card Services website.

What if an ID card or badge does not work?

If your ID card or badge does not work, consult Card Services.