Sacramento State Installs Locks on Classroom Doors
As part of its effort to increase safety on campus, Sacramento State University is installing new locks on its classroom doors and implementing access control measures.
- By Jessica Davis
- April 16, 2019
As part of its effort to increase safety on campus, Sacramento State University is installing new locks on its classroom doors and implementing access control measures.
Locks have already been installed on classrooms in Mendocino Hall, but Sac State plans to replace existing locks in 78 more classrooms across campus by the end of the year. Officials said the new lock system will allow students and faculty to shelter in place and facilitate a faster lockdown in case of an emergency.
Sac State’s facility operations director Daryn Ockey said the university wanted to be proactive about campus security and safety.
"Obviously safety is life," Ockey said. "Safety for our students and campus community is a priority for us, and this is one way to start protecting their well-being."
Ockey said the latest safety project has two parts. The first is the installation of these new classroom deadbolt locks, which allow people to manually lock the door from inside of the classroom. If the deadbolt is enabled, it can only be bypassed using a special key possessed by campus police.
“You hear about all the unfortunate things, so if you can keep an active shooter away from the population they are trying to attack, then you’re obviously protecting that population,” Ockey said.
Access control is the second security component of the security project. The new system lets anyone with a campus credential access the room when it’s locked. Ockey said the new software eliminates the need for keys, which can be lost or stolen, making the jobs of custodians and other after-hours staff easier.
“The integration of the locks with the scheduling software keeps people that shouldn’t be in rooms away from rooms when they shouldn’t be there, which ultimately makes our campus safer,” Ockey said.
Ockey said that if funding becomes available, the university plans to install the locks on all classroom doors.
Other safety measures Sac State has taken lately include online active-shooter training and alarm system tests. Officials said some emergency blue light phones will be repaired or replaced soon, and the university plans to add enhanced lighting by campus walkways.
About the Author
Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.