Access Control and Access Cards

History of Centralized Card Access Systems (CCAS) on CampusJerry Fondow using an access card

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History of Centralized Card Access Systems (CCAS) on Campus

The protection of people and property has been the duty of all police agencies since their inception.  Today’s unsettled world calls for an enhanced level of security at our world-class university, known for its intense research focus, campus diversity, and commitment to the search for knowledge through “continual and fearless sifting and winnowing.”

At the direction of the Chancellor, the UW Police Department, in collaboration with many campus partners, has begun to implement a variety of security measures that fall under the rubric of access control.  From high-security keyways to proximity card readers, to biometrics, to closed-circuit television (CCTV) – the levels of access and security can be adapted to whatever level a university, college department or school may need.

Sgt. Kurt Feavel Inspecting CCAS EquipmentCCAS is based on the state-of-the-art technology that supports magnetic stripe, proximity codes, and biometrics.  Project management resides with the University Police beginning with the design phase on new or retrofitted buildings or work areas, to the completion of the entire access control project.  In most cases, the on-going responsibility for the system will remain with the department or unit that requested it.

In 2003, a Physical Security Policy group was formed comprising several Deans, Associate Deans, representatives from the Administration, DoIT, FP&M, and the University Police.  A customer completed survey of every campus building was conducted and appropriate security levels were established.  The Policy Group ordained a one vendor structure to help standardize all access control systems, and no future independent systems can be put in place.  The Policy Group also categorized every campus building into High (red), Medium (blue), or Low (green) priority, based mainly on the risk to people, research projects, and other valuable resources.

An Access Control Planning group was formed with high-level members representingSecurity Supervisor Bill VanderBloemen (right) Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Division of State Facilities (DSF), the UW Physical Plant, and the University Police.  This group selected a single system that could handle the myriad details of a campus-wide access control system, and Tour Andover Controls,  was chosen as the campus system manufacturer (www.andovercontrols.com).  ITG Solutions, Inc. of Homewood, Illinois was selected as the vendor and contractor for the system.  Currently there are many types and manufacturers of access control systems in use throughout the campus. 

If you have further questions, please contact the UWPD Access Control Office at 608-265-3279 or email us at access@mhub.uwpd.wisc.edu.  We will get back to you as soon as possible.

If the building or area where you work or live requires an access card, you must bring a completed Access Card Request Form, your University ID and one other government-issued ID such as a driver's license to the UWPD Access Card/ID Station, 1st floor rear (west door) of the Air Force ROTC building, 1433 Monroe Street, Madison.  Please call 608.265.3279 for days and times for general carding.  Your Department Authorizer must sign your request form.