Campus security at The University of Memphis is on its way toimprovement with the development of a cutting-edge lock systembeing put in place on several buildings.
The system uses a key fob, a small key chain attachment, toallow access to locked buildings without the use of keys. Onlythose who need after-hour access to buildings will be provided withthe key fobs.
"Eventually everybody on campus that needs access to an areawill have a fob that will give them access to wherever they need togo," said Bruce Harber, director of campus security.
The system operates from a central control, allowing campussecurity to lock and unlock the doors at a pre-programmed time.This technology prevents anyone from having to physically go overand lock or unlock the door with a key.
"We're trying to get away from keys for several obviousreasons," Harber said. "They can be copied or they can be lost, butkey fobs can be recorded."
Harber said advantages to the key fob system include knowingexactly who is in the buildings after-hours and being able to sendalarms if a door is propped open and left unattended.
Derrick Myers, a campus security employee, said the system isalready in place at the psychology auditorium and at Wilder Towers.He also said the FedEx Technology Institute will be using the fobswhen it opens.
Myers said another advantage to the system is it requires verylittle maintenance and is less likely to take the wear and tearmanual doors take. He also said the system they chose isparticularly good because it does not require their people to comeout and fix problems.
"They weren't going to stick us on the back end withmaintenance," Myers said. "This company is actually going to trainour maintenance personnel to fix the system.
"That was the final selling point -- this was not going to be along-term monetary drain based on maintenance."
Myers said that as doors are slated to be replaced, they'llreplace them with this system.
"This system will not be in use overnight," Myers said. "They'llretrofit the doors as money becomes available."
The physical plant department is paying for the new system,Myers said.
Harber said the new system would provide great advantages forcampus security.
"From a crime standpoint, we love the idea," Harber said. "It'sa way to make the campus a more secure environment."
