Locking System Questions and Answers

 

Please read the following questions and answers to learn about the new locking system. These questions have been put together by a group of administration, staff members, and students of Juniata College to help inform students of the details of the locking system. The locking system will be implemented on January 29, 2008 in Cloister. There will be further announcements once dates are set for other residence halls.

 

• How does the system work?

• Juniata has selected BEST access system B.A.S.I.S lock. The system is structured to work with your student  I.D. card as the method to unlock the door and gain access. The lock system is a computer system that allows for tracking card history of card usage for entry.

 

•  How will I gain access to my residence hall?

• Your ID card will be needed to gain entrance to doors that have the B.A.S.I.S lock installed. You will simply swipe your student ID card through the lock at a moderate speed. A green light flashes and the door unlocks. Turn the lever and open the door. The system then locks the door behind you.

 

• Should I carry my ID card at all times??

• Yes, your ID card will be needed to gain access into the residence halls. Your card is also needed to use Sodexho facilities.

 

Will I be able to enter my student id number on the key pad to gain access?

No, exterior doors with the B.A.S.I.S lock will only allow entry with the ID cards.

 

Will I have full access to all residence halls?

Yes, your ID will allow you entry to all residence hall entrance doors equipped with the B.A.S.I.S lock system.

 

Will any residence hall have restrictions such as residents only access after certain hours?

Yes, as voted on by the residents of Lesher. Lesher will restrict access to Lesher only students nightly from 12:00 PM till 6:00 AM. This means only residents of Lesher will be able to access the building with their cards. All other students ID cards for the purpose of access into Lesher will be invalid between these hours.

 

Will the buildings be locked at all times?

Yes, the lock system is a 24/7 system. The residence halls will be locked at all times and students will need their ID cards to gain entry.

 

I have permission to live off campus. Will I have access to all residence halls?

Yes, your ID card will be programmed into the lock system, so as to allow you entry to residence halls.

 

Will my parents, family and guests have access to the residence halls or will they be issued a card for entry purposes?

No, Juniata will not issue cards for the purpose of entry to residence halls for parents, family and guests. Students are permitted visitors in the halls but in terms of gaining entry the students with ID cards will need to provide this. As per the visitation policy, visitors should be escorted at all times while on campus. Students are not permitted to grant or loan their ID cards for the purpose of gaining entry into a residence hall.

 

What do I do if I get locked out of my residence hall?

If you forgot your ID card, we advise you to attempt to contact your roommate and/or a friend in your building and ask them to provide you entry. Again, you are instructed to carry your ID with you, so being locked out of residence halls should be a very rare occurrence. As a last resort, if the roommate is unavailable, contact your RA or RD. As the very last option, contact Campus Police. RAs, RDs and Campus Police will track all residents and if it is noted that this has become a recurring situation by a student, disciplinary action will result.

 

Can I use my present Gold Card (ID) for the lock system?

Yes, you present card has been programmed to work with the lock system.

 

My gold card currently does not work or is damaged. What should I do?

If you attempt to use your gold card and it does not work at a B.A.S.I.S lock entrance door, we ask that you try another entrance door. The situation could be that one lock is not working but your card may work at another.  If this is the case notify your RA or RD and they will follow up with the Office of Residential Life. If you slide your card through and the door doesn’t unlock please be advised of the following.

No lights, 3 short tones: try your card again at a slower speed.

Red light flashes, 3 short tones: Make sure that you used the correct card. You card may be invalid or the lock may be in a timed locked mode.

Green light, red light flashes, 3 short tones: Notify your RA or RD, there may be a problem with the lock.

If you have exhausted all possible alternatives for your card, you may then contact the Campus Police Office during regular business hours : Monday thru  Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM to have your card replaced.

IMPORTANT NOTE: if your card is not currently working at Sodexho it will not work in the lock system, you will need to have it replaced as soon as possible.

 

What is the procedure if I lose my card?

Go to the Campus Police Department, in Ellis, to have your card replaced. The hours for the office will be Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 4:30PM, Monday – Saturday 7:00PM – 7:30PM, Sunday evening 7:00PM – 8:00PM. There is a cost associated with card replacement.

 

Will I be able to gain entry at all doors of the residence halls?

Yes, your card will open any entrance door equipped with the B.A.S.I.S lock system. Doors that do not have the lock system installed are exit doors only.

 

When is my residence hall going to be locked?

The college will be phasing in the locking system starting with Cloister on January 15th. We hope to bring the other residence halls on-line in a very timely manner. Students will be notified in advance of activation in their buildings.

 

What is my part as a student in keeping my residence hall secure?

Students should do their part to ensure the lock system is not compromised, interfered with or circumvented in anyway.

Never prop open exterior doors in residence halls, houses or apartments.

Do not open exterior entrance doors with their IDs for anyone they do not know.

Do not allow someone to follow you into a building after you enter.

Have ID ready before you get to the door so you do not have to search for it. Don’t let strangers into your residence halls. Do not leave exterior doors propped open. Alert campus security about suspicious looking people or activities.

 

Will disciplinary sanctions be imposed for violations of lock policies?

Yes, disciplinary sanctions will be imposed for anyone violating policy as it relates to the lock system. Depending on the circumstance, more than one sanction may be imposed. Any individual failing to comply with the policies as they relate to compromising, interfering, circumventing and/or damage to the lock system that endangers the safety, security and welfare of students will be subject to disciplinary action.

 

Will delivery persons (such as Domino’s, All-American, and OIP) have access to the residence halls?

No, when ordering from a business that delivers, the students are required to inform the delivery service that they will meet them at a specific exterior door, so as to take the delivery. Delivery persons will no longer be able to gain access to the residence halls, to deliver directly to student rooms.

 

Will College staff have access to residence halls?

Yes, but initially this will be limited to specific services and support staff.

 

I live in college-owned apartment building or house. Will my building be getting a new locking system?

Not at this time, for your building will continue to utilize a key system to secure all exterior entrances. All rules and polices that apply to the new lock system are also in effect for the key lock system.

 

I live in college-owned apartment building or house. Will I also have full access to the residence halls?

Yes, your ID card will allow you access to the residence halls on campus.

 

Will I still need my room key?

Yes, nothing has changed in relation to interior, individual rooms and how they are secured.

 

Will I still be expected to lock my room door?

Yes, we do not want students to have a false sense of security because the exterior doors are secured and feel that only individuals with Juniata ID cards can gain entry. As per policy, the door to your room should always be locked, especially when you are inside sleeping or when out. Again, always alert Campus Police about suspicious looking people or activities.