The University of Memphis is expanding its security by replacing the doors in every building with new electronically controlled locks.
“This is actually not a new thing that the University is doing,” said Derek Myers, assistant chief of the U of M’s Campus Police Services. “It’s been in process for the past two years now, and we’re slowly expanding.”
The system will allow campus doors to automatically lock or unlock at preprogramed times.
“If you have to physically lock and unlock doors, parts wear out which results in damages to the doors,” Myers said. “But with this system, since its automatic, the doors will open and close at specific times.”
This savvy way of automatic entrance is completely different from the way the University operated doors many years ago, he said.
“In the old days, there was a screw that bolted the hinges of the doors together,” Myers said. “You’d have to loosen the screw every time you wanted to lock or unlock the doors. But now you have computers that can do that for you without you ever having to touch the door.”
Students will also be able to unlock the doors using their U of M campus cards when entering buildings after hours.
“This is a more efficient way to open and close doors,” Myers said. “We no longer have to answer calls to let people into buildings. Sometimes by the time we’re finished locking all of the doors, it’ll already be time to unlock them. This system saves us plenty of time.”
Similarly, the University has decided to add these systems to the interior doors, as well as classroom doors, this summer. The doors will be able to lock in open position and also be quicker to close.
Although many students are fans of the electronically controlled locking systems, some students, like junior psychology major Dieynaba Diong, think the idea of new electronic doors is a waste of money.
“It’s completely unnecessary,” Diong said. “I understand it’s for security and other reasons, but I honestly think the money could’ve been used for something better.”
So far the system has been installed into the exterior doors of 50 buildings on campus, and many of those are academic buildings.
While the completion of the $1.3 million project depends on funding from the state, Myers said the job is just about done.
“There’s not that many more buildings to go,” Myers said. “We also make sure to install the system into the doors of every new building that is being constructed.”
In addition to expanding security through these computeroperated systems, the University is also planning to replace all door locks on campus with dead bolts that can be locked without a key from the inside. This is another initiative to ensure the safety of all students. The entire project could cost up to an additional $400,000 and is set to begin in May with buildings like Patterson and Clement Hall listed as top priorities
