Facility Access and Security Systems

 

Security is a cooperative effort by all parties; systems administrators, system monitors and end-users. All individuals must take responsibility for assisting with both personal security as well as protection of assets. To that end, all policies and procedures must be read, understood, adhered to, and enforced.

Overview:

The WESTCONNect Card Office is responsible for coordination of the physical security of the university’s facilities. This includes all locksmith services functions (locksets, door closers and keys) as well as electronic security systems (card access systems and security camera systems).

The WESTCONNect Team strives to make facility security as convenient as possible to the end-user without compromising security. Keys and access to restricted areas are all provided by the WESTCONNect Office upon the approval of Deans, department chairs, directors or club advisors. Keys may be picked up, and returned to, the WESTCONNect Card Office in Old Main. Please bring proper photo identification, a WESTCONNect card or driver’s license when picking up keys or codes. Items will not be issued without proper authorization and identification.

Security is a cooperative effort by all parties; systems administrators, system monitors and end-users. All individuals must take responsibility for assisting with both personal security as well as protection of assets. To that end, all policies and procedures must be read, understood, adhered to, and enforced.

You can review our policies at Access and Security Policies – WestConnect.

———    ACCESS QUICK LINKS

———   DOOR SECURITY PIN

Door Security PIN

Use the WebCard Center button below to log in and select or reset your PIN.

Please note you may not use “0000” as your PIN.

To create or reset your Door Security PIN takes 3 simple steps:

1. Log in to the WESTCONNect Web Card Center. (if you need more information, click here)

2. Select the SET PIN option from the left-hand menu

3. Enter the 4-digit PIN of your choosing and enter it a second time to confirm.

 

To lock a card access door in an emergency, without going into the hallway to use the keypad,
use the Break Glass device located inside of the room. Be sure to close all doors.

 


The university utilizes a card reader access and security system, utilizing the university identification card.

Exterior doors, controlled by card readers, are unlocked and locked automatically by a programmed time specification. After hours access to buildings is provided as authorized through the Access Request process.

Interior rooms such as classrooms and offices, are also access via card or key. Classrooms are set to unlock upon presenting a valid card and PIN by the instructor. The door will remain unlocked, allowing students to enter and leave the area, for the duration of the class. The room is then locked after the class open presenting a valid card and PIN.

Instructions to use your Card and PIN at a card reader:
Instructions to use your Card and PIN at a card reader:

When using your PIN, please follow the instructions below to unlock the door.

1. Present your WESTCONNect Card to the reader. When the light begins to flash, take the card away from the reader.

2. With the hand that is NOT holding the card, enter your 4-digit PIN on the card reader keypad

3. The light should display with a green color. At that point you may open the door.

Please note that the room must be locked after each use. Each person who unlocks a room is responsible for the room use, until they secure the room again. Please lock the room before you turn the room over to another person.

Doors on card access are also equipped with alarms. Any alarm generated by the system is reported to the University Police Department. Expect a response from a police officer should an alarm be set off, regardless of user error. If you set off an alarm, please wait for an officer to arrive or contact the University Police Department at 203-837-9300.

 

———    FACULTY & STAFF
———    REPORT A PROBLEM

* Resident Students must report a problem to their Resident Director.

Are you having problems with any locks, card access locations, alarms, or keyboxes?

To report a problem please submit your request through the University’s computerized, Internet-based SCHOOLDUDE work order system.

  1. Go to opens in a new windowwww.schooldude.com and select client login.
  2. Sign on. If you do not have an ID in the SCHOOLDUDE system, please contact your department secretary, resident director, or William McDevitt in the Maintenance Trades area.
  3. Select the product we use from the drop down list (Maintenance Direct).
  4. Use the web interface to log your request.

You may mark a request as an emergency; however, we ask you to contact the WESTCONNect Office at 837-9311 during regular hours or University Police at 837-9300 for emergency services. Lost cards should be marked as lost in the Web Card Center. Lost keys should be reported immediately to the WESTCONNect Card Office during normal business hours. After hours, lost keys should be reported to the University Police Department. Lost keys may result in an area being re-keyed. Costs for re-keying an area may be charged back to the department.

 

———    ACCESS REQUEST

FACULTY & STAFF

Each department is responsible for maintaining records of their access requests. In situations where the specific area requested is outside of the department’s area of responsibility, then authorization from the appropriate managing department will be requested.
All keys are inventoried through a computerized system maintained by the university locksmiths. Each key issued is assigned to an individual who is responsible for its use/misuse. Please do not loan your keys to others, or provide unauthorized access to restricted areas by unlocking doors for others. Please do not “swap” keys with others as you are responsible for the keys issued to you through the key inventory system. If there is a need to reassign keys please contact the WESTCONNect Office staff.
All individuals granted card or key access agree to the WESTCONNect Access Receipt and Responsibility Statement.

 

STUDENTS

Any access to secured areas requires and authorized request be made by a university department. The WESTCONNect Office requires an Access Request Form to be submitted by an authorized university department before any access can be granted or programmed.
Students may not request access directly.
For example, if you belong to a club or other student organization with an office in the Student Center, the department that manages that building makes the request for you.
If you need access to a secured lab for your class work, the academic department secretary will request the access.
You will be notified that you have been granted access by the department that requested it for you.
Unless otherwise indicated, student access is terminated at the end of the semester.

 

To request access please use the Access Request App

Please note you may not use “0000” as your PIN.

To create or reset your Door Security PIN takes 3 simple steps:

1. Log in to the WESTCONNect Web Card Center. (if you need more information, click here)

2. Select the SET PIN option from the left-hand menu

3. Enter the 4-digit PIN of your choosing and enter it a second time to confirm.

Instructions to use your Card and PIN at a card reader:
Instructions to use your Card and PIN at a card reader:

When using your PIN, please follow the instructions below to unlock the door.

1. Present your WESTCONNect Card to the reader. When the light begins to flash, take the card away from the reader.

2. With the hand that is NOT holding the card, enter your 4-digit PIN on the card reader keypad

3. The light should display with a green color. At that point you may open the door.

Please note that the room must be locked after each use. Each person who unlocks a room is responsible for the room use, until they secure the room again. Please lock the room before you turn the room over to another person.

Doors on card access are also equipped with alarms. Any alarm generated by the system is reported to the University Police Department. Expect a response from a police officer should an alarm be set off, regardless of user error. If you set off an alarm, please wait for an officer to arrive or contact the University Police Department at 203-837-9300.

 

Security Cameras 

Security cameras are in use in various public areas on both campuses. Typical surveillance areas include parking garages, lobbies of residence halls, 24-hour computer labs, elevators, and exteriors of buildings.

All cameras are recording and may be monitored.

Retrieval of video may be conducted by the University Police Department as it relates to criminal investigations. Human Resources and Judicial Affairs may request video for case investigations as well.

All other requests for video would be processed via a Freedom of Information request made to the university.

 

Key Boxes

———     KEY BOXES

Key Box Instructions

  1. Present your card to the reader.
  2. If the door opens, wait for the “click” that unlocks the tag and then remove the iFOB that has the flashing green light. If you delay in pulling the tag, you may need to press the corresponding green circle icon on the touch screen to release the iFOB.
  3. If the door doesn’t immediately open, you must press “I know what I want” on the display screen to open the door. Press the corresponding green circle icon on the touch screen of the item you wish to remove, you will hear a beep. Wait for the “Click” that unlocks the tag and remove the iFOB.
  4. Close the door.

YOU MUST RETURN THE KEY TAG TO THE SAME SLOT IN THE BOX.
For example, slot #1 is always for the key tag set which is also labeled #1.

Western Connecticut State University utilizes the Traka™ Key Cabinet system.

Key cabinets are deployed in each building and allow the university to inventory and manage high security keys such as master and sub-master level keys.

Keys are not to leave the buildings in which they are being utilized. Keys must stay in the possession of the authorized individual at all times, and are never to be left on carts, shelves, or other unattended areas.

———   Emergency Shelter in Place

Shelter in Place and Emergency Break Glass Devices

In the event of an emergency, the university may issue a shelter in place directive. In that event, you are to find an area that you deem safe at the time and some place that you can secure.

Most internal rooms on campus have the ability to be secured either with standard door hardware or using other mechanical devices. It is important to note that anyone can use the security hardware, when inside of a space. You do not need any special keys or cards in order to lock a space when on the inside of the area. It is also important to understand that there is always free egress out of an area, so even if you have secured the door from the inside, you may always open the door to leave as needed.

Classrooms that are equipped with standard door hardware, may be locked using the push button, thumb-turn device on the inside of lockset. Classrooms that are equipped with card readers have Break Glass Emergency devices located on the inside of the room. These devices lock the door (when the door is closed) and send a silent alarm to the University Police Department.

A video for use of break glass devices may be found at: https://www.wcsu.edu/westconnect/facility-access-security/#Security%20Break%20Glass

It is our hope that we never have to use these devices, but the university takes emergency preparedness very seriously and wants to equip our community with the resources should they need them.

Emergency Events

The University also uses an emergency notification system. In order to receive alerts please sign up at: https://www.wcsu.edu/ens/

Office of Emergency Management

For more information on emergency preparedness, please visit the Office of Emergency Management website.

https://www.wcsu.edu/emergency-management/

Break Glass Instructional Video

Use the "hammer" method, not the "jab"!

———    YOUR ACCESS

  • Resident students have access to residence halls with activation and expiration dates as set forth by the Housing and Residence Life Office schedules of building operations. For more information on residence halls access: Residence Halls
  • Resident students have access to the exterior doors of their buildings as well as their rooms and bathrooms (as applicable) based on residence hall assignments. That assignment happens automatically, and requires no additional action on the part of the student.
  • Meal plans are assigned automatically based on the residence hall assignments.
  • Access to printing, 24-hour computer labs, and fitness facilities are also assigned to the cards.
  • Resident students may choose to put money onto their cards (CONNect Cash) that is separate from a meal plan, and may be used for spending on and off campus (Grubhub) for things like laundry, vending, bookstore, box office, paying fees and fines, food service, and other purchases.

Resident students having problems accessing their residence hall, room or bathroom must first report the problem to their Resident Director.
If you have been told that you have access to an area outside of the resident halls, and the access is not working, you may contact the WESTCONNect Office for assistance. The staff in the office will want to know the specific area you tried to access and the date and time of the attempt.

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