Public Safety beefs up security in JB and St. Joe's
John Larsen
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: News
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The installation of new automatically locking, card-entry doors have begun the new NDNU residence hall security plans.
The doors have been installed on the lobby doors for St. Joe's and Julie Billiart residence halls, with more doors for the actual dorm rooms being planned for the future. The apartments are also on the docket for lock upgrades.
"It all comes down to money," said Chief of Public Safety, David Mefford. The entire project, says Mefford, "is coming out of parking fees." Therefore, further upgrades will have to wait until there is more money available.
The new doors will be hardwired to Public Safety's computers and will be programmed to lock and unlock themselves at certain times of day.
"The doors will unlock at seven a.m. and lock again at seven p.m.," said Mefford. At other times, you'll have to use your key or have someone else let you in. This does, unfortunately, mean that students who do not live in locked buildings will not be able to get in on their own.
To get into these new doors, key cards will be needed, much like New Hall works now.
"There will be a new card system," said Mefford. "Everyone will get new cards for Spring Term. It will be your student ID, meal card, and access card."
New cards will be issued in the first few weeks after students return from winter break. And according to Mefford, the new cards will be "really top quality."
A new camera for making the cards will be arriving within the month, and cards will be ready to print shortly after that.
The good news for students who are staying over break is that they should be able to get their new cards over the vacation period, before students who are going home.
"It's a good system," said Mefford. "It's well worth it."
The second new security system being implemented is a new network of security cameras. Two cameras will be placed by Koret Field, with three cameras being put in each of St. Mary's, St. Joe's, and JB Halls, for a total of 11 cameras. All cameras will be hooked into the Public Safety office, where their footage will be monitored and digitally recorded.
The doors have been installed on the lobby doors for St. Joe's and Julie Billiart residence halls, with more doors for the actual dorm rooms being planned for the future. The apartments are also on the docket for lock upgrades.
"It all comes down to money," said Chief of Public Safety, David Mefford. The entire project, says Mefford, "is coming out of parking fees." Therefore, further upgrades will have to wait until there is more money available.
The new doors will be hardwired to Public Safety's computers and will be programmed to lock and unlock themselves at certain times of day.
"The doors will unlock at seven a.m. and lock again at seven p.m.," said Mefford. At other times, you'll have to use your key or have someone else let you in. This does, unfortunately, mean that students who do not live in locked buildings will not be able to get in on their own.
To get into these new doors, key cards will be needed, much like New Hall works now.
"There will be a new card system," said Mefford. "Everyone will get new cards for Spring Term. It will be your student ID, meal card, and access card."
New cards will be issued in the first few weeks after students return from winter break. And according to Mefford, the new cards will be "really top quality."
A new camera for making the cards will be arriving within the month, and cards will be ready to print shortly after that.
The good news for students who are staying over break is that they should be able to get their new cards over the vacation period, before students who are going home.
"It's a good system," said Mefford. "It's well worth it."
The second new security system being implemented is a new network of security cameras. Two cameras will be placed by Koret Field, with three cameras being put in each of St. Mary's, St. Joe's, and JB Halls, for a total of 11 cameras. All cameras will be hooked into the Public Safety office, where their footage will be monitored and digitally recorded.
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