St. Cloud State University Policies & Procedures

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Current Status: Approved

Policy Type: All University

Effective Date: 08/01/2019

Last Updated: 04/01/2025

Applies To: Students, Faculty, Staff, Visitors

Responsible University Officer: Vice President for University Affairs and Advisor to the President

Policy Owner: Director of Risk and Emergency Management

Policy Contact: Office of Public Safety, Access Control Manager

Rationale

St. Cloud State University aims to provide an open and welcoming, yet safe and secure environment. Providing policy and procedure for key/card holders, along with limiting access in specific areas contributes toward safety and security by minimizing risks and maximizing protection. 

Policy

The Public Safety Department will maintain oversight of all lock systems including hard key and electronic card access within all University owned or leased spaces, including academic, research, athletic, administrative, and student life areas. Access to all residence halls and apartments shall remain with the Residential Life Department and be subject to Student Life approved policies. The Public Safety Department will work with individual departments to create a satisfactory access system for department needs within the framework of the related policy and security constraints.

Access to the University’s facilities is determined and assigned based on the distinct needs and requirements of the University and the user in the interest of safety and security.  Key/card holders may only use keys in their official University or contracted capacity and for the purpose and time frame for which they are authorized.

Key/card holders are responsible for the appropriate use, care, and control of all keys assigned for their use. All persons with building access rights shall not grant access to others, prop doors open, or purposefully leave spaces unlocked. Transferring or passing keys to others is not permitted. Individuals who give keys to others, or who loan or duplicate keys, will immediately lose key/card holder privileges and appropriate administrative action will be taken. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary actions up to and including termination for employees.  Violations by students are managed through the Student Code of Conduct process (see Supporting URLs). Students who fail to return university issued keys/cards may be charged for replacement or re-keying with the charges applied to the student’s account. 

Work to duplicate keys shall only be performed by SCSU locksmiths. If lock repining/replacement, or other work or repairs are required due to loss, theft, failure to return, or policy and procedure violations, the key/card holder or their associated company, department or school may be charged for the costs related to this work. 

Procedure

The entire St. Cloud State University community has a shared responsibility for campus safety and security both in terms of personal safety and protection of material assets and private data. This includes adhering to the following building access procedures and other related policies and procedures (see Related St. Cloud State University Policies).

Key/Card Management

Public Safety is responsible for issuing keys and maintaining records for all university key/card systems. Key/Card holders and/or supervisors (or designee), may be called upon to assist with periodic key audits to verify and update key control records. Audit findings may result in the initiation of key/card return procedures, or in some cases, sanctions or disciplinary procedures.

Key/Card Procurement

For Residence Hall key needs, students shall follow the guidelines of the Student Handbook. Other key requests, including for contractors, shall be made using the Key Card Access Request and Agreement (see Supporting URLs). The following procedures apply:

  • Employees may complete the Key Card Access Request and Agreement or it may be completed by another employee, such as an Office Administrative Specialist or Office Manager, on the key requestor’s behalf.
  • Students may not request their own keys. They must have an SCSU employee complete the form on their behalf.
  • Contractors may request key/card access for only the location(s) and duration necessary to complete the contracted work. Public Safety will verify the status of the purchase order and contractor agreement prior to issuing keys to a contractor. Contractors shall work with their SCSU contact (supervisor) to determine if keys should be returned daily or assigned for a period of time.
  • Approval by key/card requestor’s supervisor is required. The supervisor may assign a designee as an approver by granting the authorization in writing to the Public Safety Department. Further approval may be required depending upon the type of key or access requested (see Guidelines for Key Types and Access Chart).

Key/card requestors will be notified by Public Safety when their keys/cards are available for pick-up. Key/card requestors must present photo identification and sign a the agreement holding them responsible for all keys/cards received.

Lost or Stolen Keys/Cards - Keys/Cards that are lost or stolen shall be immediately reported to a supervisor, if applicable, or issuing department. Lost or stolen electronic key cards shall be reported to the Campus Card Office, or if after hours, to the Public Safety Department.  Lost or stolen physical keys shall be reported to Public Safety. (see Supporting URLs for links to contact information.)

Re-Keying Requests – Any lock hardware or re-keying request must be submitted to Public Safety by a dean, director, department head, or vice president and shall include a justification for the requested work.

Key/Card Return

A key/card holder, their supervisor, or designee, may need to initiate key/card return for:

  • Assignment or contract completion;
  • a change in office or position;
  • a leave of absence (greater than 4 weeks);
  • a termination, retirement, or resignation;
  • a sanction or trespass; or
  • any other event that would require a change in key/card or building access rights.

A supervisor should contact Public Safety for an up-to-date list of the individual’s keys and cards, retrieve the keys/cards from the individual, provide a key return receipt, complete the Key Return & Access Deactivation Form (see Supporting URLs), and return the keys/cards along with the form in person to the Public Safety Center within 2 business days. This will serve as notification to Public Safety to take any necessary electronic deactivation or other security measures. In the case of employee leave, the supervisor shall coordinate with Public Safety to retrieve and/or reactivate keys/cards when the employee returns. 

Guidelines

Key Types and Access Chart

Type of Key / Access Card

Description

Authorized Users

Rules of Issuance

Room

Individual offices, residence hall rooms, laboratories, classrooms, and suites

Room occupant

Approved by appropriate unit administrator. For specific procedures for residential buildings, see Department of Residential Life Student Handbook.

Exterior Building

Individual key or access card for individual buildings

Building occupant

Approved by appropriate unit administrator.

Residence Hall Access Card

Specific exterior or entrance door, primarily in residential buildings

Building occupants; Residence Life, Facilities and Conference Staff

See Facilities Key and Access Card Procedures.

Partial Building Master / or Building Master

Multiple rooms within a designated area in a single building

Vice Presidents, Deans, Chairs, Directors and other unit administrators for areas under their control

Approved by appropriate unit administrator, then by Public Safety.

Great Grand Master

Exterior and interior doors in designated buildings

SCSU President, Public Safety, Facilities, emergency responders

Background check required. Approved by VP for Finance and Administration or designee.

Off Great Grand Master

Special high value areas

Room occupant only

Requires approval by VP for Finance and Administration or designee.

VV Key

Highest level

Locksmith and Public Safety

Issued to be utilized only during complete power or system failures to the card system.

Supporting URLs

Websites, Related External Documents, Statutes

Contacts

Responsible University Officer
   Siminoe, Judith P.
   Vice President for University Affairs and Advisor to the President
 
jpsiminoe@stcloudstate.edu
320-308-2124
Owner
   Hammond, Kevin J.
   Director of Risk and Emergency Management
 
kevin.hammond@stcloudstate.edu
320-308-2144
Contact
   Kirchner, Barbara L.
   Office of Public Safety
 
blkirchner@stcloudstate.edu
320-308-2266
Contact
   Rahman, Mamun
   Access Control Manager
 
mamun.rahman@stcloudstate.edu
320-308-2040

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