AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
CARD ACCESS SYSTEM
Princeton University`s Card Access System combines the finest available
mechanical and electronic technology with a sophisticated computerized data
base. The system is in place in most graduate and undergraduate residence
halls, and expanding to administrative and academic buildings. It is designed
to protect the personal safety and property of the university community.
By presenting a programmed, wallet sized Prox Card a few inches from readers
mounted near the doors, the system will recognize authorized persons and
unlock the door. Persons without the proper clearance will be denied access.
The system also reports doors that are propped open or attempts at forced
entry. In either case a local alarm will also sound.
The system has the capability of providing a high level of security and at
the same time minimizing inconvenience for the cardholders. The locking
schedule can and does provide consideration for special events, Orthodox
students, religious holidays, etc.
It is incumbent upon each cardholder to treat the cards and the system with
respect and care. Lost, stolen or malfunctioning cards should be reported to
the Department of Public Safety immediately, in order that they may be
properly flagged or invalidated. Every effort should be taken to ensure that
doors are properly closed and any acts of vandalism, or signs of damage are
reported.
Found cards turned in to the Department of Public Safety will be checked by
the on-duty communications officer and the owner notified. Persons reporting
lost, stolen or malfunctioning cards will be directed to the ID Office in
Dillon Gym for issuance of a new card. During those hours that the ID Office
is closed, the communications officer will disable lost or stolen cards.
Visitors without cards, Pizza delivery, etc. can be admitted by using the
Visitor Entry System (VES) function of the Card Access System. Visitors can call a resident
from a nearby Emergency Phone and the resident can open an entryway door for
20 seconds by pressing * 5 # on their telephone. For detailed instructions,
courtesy of The Graduate College, go to http://www.princeton.edu/~gradcol/perm/telekey
RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF DATA BASE
Each transaction in the system is duly recorded and stored in a database.
The operation of the system requires that this database be accessed daily by
technicians and a journal record printed to detect mechanical or electronic
problems. The printout allows systems managers to monitor invalid
transactions, alarm activation's, and records of automatic and manual
locking and unlocking of the various door groups. Other than this
required maintenance of the system, use of card access transaction data is
limited to EMERGENCY situations and such data will be made available on a
"need to know basis" only and with prior supervisory approval.
EXAMPLES OF ACCESS TRANSACTIONS/APPROVAL
A. Use of transaction data will not be approved for the
purpose of:
1. Conducting a random search of records in order to identify individuals
or transactions, or to look for general patterns of use.
2. Analyzing a person's routine movement.
3. Identifying a person's location in order to support disciplinary
charges; except insofar as that information is pertinent to a serious
incident such as an assault or theft.
B. Use of transaction data may be approved when access to
information in the database would be helpful in:
1. Identifying a person(s) who may have committed or witnessed a serious
crime.
2. Identifying a person(s) who has vandalized the card access system.
3. Identifying a person(s) who has entered a specific door and is
believed to have committed a crime or violated a University policy and may
be trying to elude Public Safety or other Law Enforcement personnel who are
in "fresh pursuit."
4. Locating a specific individual who may be ill or reported as missing,
leading to a legitimate concern for the safety and well being of that
individual.
Such access can be made only with the approval of both the Director
of Public Safety, or Associate Director of Public Safety, and the Vice
President for Campus Life, or designee. The only EXCEPTION would be a
situation that has been determined to be LIFE THREATENING by the on duty
Public Safety Supervisor and time is of the essence. Appropriate
documentation justifying such access is to be completed as soon as the
crisis is over.
Questions regarding the system can be directed to:
Questions relating to safety & security can be directed to:
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