On campus residents are debating the benefit of housing’s decision to move away from traditional lock and key and onto digital security. The village has installed new locks on all residential doors, and is currently working to implement them throughout the gates that open to public areas on campus and parking lots.
The new system requires students to enter a numerical code and slide their ID card in order to access their dorm room.
Housing conducted research regarding the transition and consulted a few departments on campus prior to initiating the process.
“The following departments were consulted as part of the process: Office of Information Technology, University Police Department and Facilities Services,” Jennifer Humphrey, Director of Housing, said. “A survey was also distributed to CSU Housing entities and a site visit was conducted to Humboldt as they operate the same housing management software and they have been using the same lock system for over 10 years.”
Students have raised concerns as to how the codes are generated, as well as the ability for locks to be tampered with.
“The code is your birthday,” Nathaneal Kirk (junior, Communication Studies) said. “I think that’s extremely unsafe, I changed my code right away. Also, if someone wants to mess with you they can just stick a paperclip right into the slot that reads your ID.”
As far as safety, the current setup relying on both code and ID has been adopted after similar formats used on other university campuses.
“The pin code is based on data which is extracted from the access-restricted housing software system and is custom to each student, “ Humphrey said. “In order for someone to access a room they must know the room number, have the card for the room and have the pin code.”
According to Humphrey, the electronic locks will provide both greater security as well as cost benefits to students. Previously students were charged $45 per lost key, while losing a student ID will cost $5 to replace.
Humphrey has said that information regarding data that comprises the codes is not published and housing researched electronic systems beginning two years ago as part of regular maintenance and upgrades.
Full installation on all front doors and gates is expected to be completed within the next six weeks. Though needing an ID for access has been solidified, students apprehensive about the assigned codes may visit the Housing Office to request a new pin.