Officials Seek to Reduce Campus Thefts
Keys replaced by cards to increase security
By David Reese
News Editor

Officials say the card swipe system offers better security than keys and is a more convenient tool to keep track of people entering the buildings.

If it seems as if some classrooms and residence halls have become like Motel 6 because of card accessed doors, it is by design: university officials say it is to alleviate security problems.

Security measures such as the card swipe door-lock system and devices on some equipment have been installed in new and existing buildings because university officials and TCU Police say the safety of students and the university’s resources are a priority.

According to the TCU Police Web site, 33 thefts were reported from academic buildings and residence halls across campus from January to October this year. Stolen items ranged from money in wallets to computers and video projectors.

No specific areas on campus are more likely to be targeted by thieves, said Pam Christian, a TCU Police crime prevention officer. However, most thefts are in parking lots, according to the TCU Police daily crime report on the Internet.

“Theft is an opportunity crime,” Christian said. “It will happen when opportunity arises.”

The campus’ open buildings give thieves easy access, said College of Science and Engineering Dean Michael McCracken, whose college is housed in the first building to become predominantly accessed by a card swipe door-lock system.

He said it is hard to tell who belongs in a building.

“No one on campus really knows who should be here or not,” McCracken said.

The administration and police department are trying various measures to reduce crime.

Christian said TCU police patrol in cars, on bike, on foot and in golf carts. Security video cameras are also located through out campus. Christian did not reveal the number or location of the video cameras, citing security reasons.

The card swipe system has become popular due to its success in residence halls during the past few years, said Craig Elders, associate director of Student Affairs Information Services.

Elders said the university will add nearly 90 card swipe doors by year’s end. Forty card swipes will be installed in the William E. and Jean Jones Tucker Technology Center, 11 in the Steve and Sarah Smith Entrepreneurial Hall and 30 in the new University Recreation Center.

He said there are no future plans to install any more doors on campus due to the high costs.

“There is a considerable expense,” Elders said. “It is about $5,000 for each door and equipment.”

Elders said the door is expensive because its communication lines and wiring work independently of the entire server system in each building.

He said the card swipes reduce the number of keys checked out to faculty, staff and students. Plus, the Student Center can de-activate lost cards, whereas if keys are lost, the university has to replace the locks and issue new keys.

In larger buildings such as Sid W. Richardson Hall, more than a hundred keys are checked out to faculty and students, McCracken said.

“Key security is difficult to control,” McCracken said. “The card system allows a lot of flexibility and greater control of who enters the building.”Elders said the technology of the door system allows a list to be printed of all people who have entered the building during any time specified.

He said the doors also set an alarm off to the system directory at the police station and the ID card center when a door is being tampered with or propped.

d.w.reese@tcu.edu