Electronic Door Access for Classrooms: A Basic Guide for Instructors

Learn how to navigate SUNY Plattsburgh's electronic classroom door system with this essential guide. It covers everything from how your ID badge works to troubleshooting common issues and knowing who to contact for help.

1. How Your Badge Access Works

Your SUNY Plattsburgh ID Badge is your electronic key for classroom doors. The system is automated to provide you with seamless access for your scheduled classes.

• Access is Timed: Your badge is automatically granted access to your assigned classroom approximately 30 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin.

• 15-Minute Buffer: You can enter the classroom 15 minutes before the start of your class and for 15 minutes after the class is scheduled to end.

• Automatic Removal: After your class concludes, the access permissions for that specific time slot are automatically removed from your badge. This process repeats for each scheduled class meeting.

• Student Access: In some labs and specialized classrooms, doors remain locked at all times. In these cases, students enrolled in the course will also be granted the same timed access as the instructor.

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2. Understanding Door Locks and Lights

There are two types of electronic locks on campus, which behave slightly differently.

 

Wired Locks

Wired locks are always connected to the campus network and generally have a simpler interface.

• Unlocked Door: The light on the reader is solid green.

• Tapping Your Badge: If the door is unlocked and you tap your badge, the light will flash green to confirm your access.

• Locked Door: Tap your badge on the reader. The light will flash green to indicate a successful unlock.

 

WiFi Locks

WiFi locks operate wirelessly and can sometimes be offline. They have a "shelter in place" button on the inside.

• Unlocked Door: The light on the reader is off.

• Tapping Your Badge: If the door is already unlocked and you tap your badge, the light will flash green indicating that the door is unlocked.

• Locked Door: Tap your badge on the reader. The light will flash green to indicate a successful unlock.

 

WiFi Lock Troubleshooting (For a Flashing Red Light)

If a WiFi lock is locked and your badge access should be working but it flashes red, it may not be communicating with the server.

• First try the handle:

  1. In some cases the door may already be unlocked.

• Force a "Call Home" Connection:

  1. Tap your badge against the reader.

  2. Wait for about 45 seconds while the lock connects to the server.

  3. Tap your badge once more. The lock should now function correctly.

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3. Important Information & Troubleshooting

 

The "Shelter in Place" Button

WiFi locks feature a "shelter in place" or privacy button on the inside of the door. This button should only be used in the event of an official "shelter in place" emergency or drill. Pressing the button will force the door to remain locked from the outside and ignore all badge taps until the door is opened from the inside.

 

When Your Badge Doesn't Work

If you tap your badge and the door does not unlock, and the above troubleshooting steps for WiFi locks do not resolve the issue, please contact one of the following for assistance.

• IT Help Desk:

  • Phone: 518-564-4433 (ext. 4433 on campus phones)

  • Email: helpdesk@plattsburgh.edu

  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  • In-Person: 106 Feinberg Library

• Building Janitorial Staff

• University Police

 

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Badges

If your ID badge is lost, or damaged, you must obtain a new one from College Auxiliary Services in Clinton Dining Hall. If you feel that your badge has been stolen, please contact University Police​​​​​​​.