Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to make sure they have an up-to-date University identification card to maintain after-hours access to campus buildings, as new electronic card readers are activated this month on the Main Quadrangle.
During the month of May, card readers and camera systems will go into use in Swift, Haskell, Foster, Kelly, Green, Beecher, Eckhardt, Mandel and Pick halls, Jones and Ryerson labs, the Reynolds Club, and the Social Science Research Building. Faculty and staff who currently have after-hours access to their building will keep that access; the only noticeable difference is that they will use their Chicago Card ID to gain entry instead of turning a key.
People who already have the UChicago Card, which the University introduced in 2008, can use their IDs with the new card readers. But anyone who has an older form of University identification, or no ID at all, will need a UChicago Card to open exterior doors after hours. Keys will no longer work at building entrances once they switch to the card reader system.
Building hours will not change. The new readers and the new cards are part of the University's efforts to heighten security around campus by ensuring proper access to its buildings. The first phase of the project was completed in fall of 2010 and included the Administration, Classics, Cobb, Gates-Blake, Goodspeed, Harper, Rosenwald, Stuart, Walker and Wieboldt buildings.
How to get an updated Chicago Card
Updating the Chicago Card takes less than 10 minutes if avoiding peak hours like lunchtime. The new card is free with the return of the old card; otherwise the fee is $20. To get a new card, please visit the Identification & Privileges Office in the lobby of Regenstein Library, 1100 E. 57th St. For questions, contact IPO at (773) 702-3344 or card@uchicago.edu or visit its website.
The new Chicago Card can be easily identified by its vertical orientation, maroon stripe on top and skyline picture of the University below. Unlike the old magnetic stripes, this technology has a much higher "first-read" reliability, and is not affected by weather or wear. It also eliminates the need to swipe the card; to gain access to a building, tap the card on the small, black card reader. A light on the reader will change from red to green will indicate when the door is unlocked.
For troubles accessing a building after hours, please contact the UC Communications Center at 773-702-8181.
—Prof. Chuan He
