The Division of Administration will complete a project this summer to enhance the security of university buildings and enable Vanderbilt University Public Safety to monitor exterior-facing doors on campus.
The Secure Dores initiative will install key card door lock systems on all campus buildings that do not currently have them and consolidate all buildings to the same system. Of the university’s approximately 1,600 exterior-facing doors, about half currently have key card access.
In addition to requiring a university ID with enabled access to enter a building, the system allows VUPS to monitor building entrances remotely from a central communications center and lock doors immediately in the event of an emergency.
“The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our utmost priority, and securing the buildings in which they live, learn and work is paramount to their well-being and success,” said Eric Kopstain, vice chancellor for administration. “This initiative allows us to monitor building access more efficiently and comprehensively and respond rapidly in the event of an emergency situation.”
VUPS will be able to actively monitor a door’s status—whether locked, propped open or forced open—and respond accordingly. During an emergency, such as fire, flood or violent threat, VUPS will be able to lock down an individual building, a group of buildings or the entire campus.
All campus buildings will continue to operate on their regular schedules and may be accessed using your existing university ID or smartphone ID app.
The Secure Dores project is currently underway, with an anticipated completion date by mid-August 2023.