Card Access System

Housing and Residence Life has initiated the new Card Access System in the residence halls and Woodland Park.  This new system will "go live" on Monday, November 16, 2009.  Installed at a cost of more than $600,000, the Card Access System allows residents to use their Wildcat Express card to gain access to their residence hall after the doors are locked in the evening.  A resident's room key will still work in their room or apartment door, but will not unlock the door that leads from the lobby to the hall.

Battery operated card readers have been installed adjacent to each exterior door of the residence halls and to the door(s) leading from the lobby into the hall.  As with any system, there are things to keep in mind as you use the Card Access System.  We also encourage to you visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to learn more about this new system.

  Please note the following:

• Swipe your card slowly.  Doing so will give the card reader adequate time to verify your access.
• Give the card reader time to unlock the door.  It may take up to 10 seconds between when you swipe your card and when the door actually unlocks.
• Card readers sometime enter "sleep mode" to conserve battery power.  You may have to swipe your card twice (slowly, with a few seconds between swipes) if the door you're trying to open has not been used for some time.
• Keep your card clean, especially the mag-stripe on the back of the card.

We are confident that you will find this new system convenient and easy to use.  Please contact your RA, RD, or CA if you have any questions.  You may also email your questions to kbjorne@nmu.edu.