I last went to school before smart phones - Help!

Well not before smart phones but before people were so tied to them and before any institution required you to use them for their stuff.

Does anyone have a physical access card for things instead of just using their phone? Do you know how to get one? If I can't get one, do I need to have a data plan to get into the building?

When you're getting student discounts etc. and you don't have a physical student card, what do you need to show people? So far it seems like there's no physical student ID. Is that correct?

Is there any way to authenticate e-mail or STU-view access by e-mail or without using my phone?