Key Managers use a website to request keys and card access for their departments and buildings.

In order to maintain a high level of security, the University has implemented a new process for obtaining card access. We ask that you notify your key managers of your card access need and allow up to 24 business hours for the request to be processed.

Key Managers vary between departments; contact your Dean/Director for designated Key Manager's information.

The Dean/Director of Colleges will designate who are key managers.

Refer to the Access Management Program Guide for help with the Access Management Program website or contact us.

• buildingaccess@unl.edu at any time
• 472-0591 or 472-8428 during normal business hours

Card Access Questions

• Why card access instead of physical keys for outside doors?
• How do I activate my Building Access NCard?
• What if my NCard is activated but won't open a door?
• Do I need to have my NCard activated to get into my building?

Physical Key Questions

• Will my exterior door key still work after my building has card access readers installed?
• How do I request an interior key for a space my department controls?
• How do I request an exterior door key or access for a space my department controls?
• Who approves key requests?
• Where do I pick up my keys?
• What if I don't pick up my keys from the Key Desk?
• How do I transfer a key from one employee to another?
• How do I return keys?
• Whom do I notify for lost, stolen, or unreturned keys or cards?
• What do I do if I find keys or NCards?
• Can I have a key duplicated?
• What do I do if my new key does not work?
• What do I do with obsolete keys?
• How do I request lock changes?
• Why is there an annual audit?

Events at other campuses have increased awareness regarding how best to maintain a safe campus environment. In response UNL is transitioning to card access on at least one exterior door on every major campus building and interior high security areas. (Exterior door keys will not be available for buildings with card access). Other doors (not necessarily all doors on buildings) will have electronic locks installed which allows these doors to be remotely locked and unlocked and/or set on timers to automatically lock and unlock on schedules.

In FY 2011 we plan to complete this transition. Since many of the campus buildings have never been re-keyed, exterior door card access will enhance our exterior door security by permitting cards to be activated and deactivated quickly as faculty, staff, and students change their affiliation with the university.

This process includes transitioning building access oversight from Facilities Management to University Police. Therefore, effective July 1, 2010, access to all doors will be administered by UNL Police. This memo will provide you with details surrounding this transition.

In 2006, UNL modified its Key Policy. This policy identifies two classes of keys:

1. High security keys - a key which opens a space that has been determined by UNL Police or Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to require tighter control of security and additional access restrictions because of the contents or activities conducted within. Because safety and security concerns are heightened during non-business hours, keys which open exterior entrance doors to buildings are considered High Security Keys. Master keys are also considered High Security Keys.
   1. Deans or Directors controlling an area may authorize an exception to standard building security, allowing specified personnel with a need for access outside regular building hours to have high security keys for their departments/units. To request a high security key, the Dean/Director approves and submits a Key Contract to the UNL Police department for a specific individual(s). The key is issued after the individual appears, in person, at the University Police Department (17th &R Street), and presents their N-Card for verification. Key Contracts will update in the near future and become electronic requisitions.
   2. Card access, if installed for high security areas, can be obtained with the request but does not require an appearance at UPD. Usually a 24-hour notice is needed to fill requests. Large, multi-person authorization of card access can be completed electronically; contact to UNLPD Building Access (2-2222) for details.
2. Interior key - A key which provides access to a space that has not been determined by UNL police or EHS to require tighter control or access restrictions.
   1. These keys continue to be managed by the individual campus department. The Dean/Director shall designate a Key Manager(s) for their area. This person(s) will be authorized to request interior keys and conduct day-to-day management and record-keeping of departmental keys.
   2. There has been no change in campus policy or practice regarding the management of interior building keys.

This policy is effective July 1, 2010.

• Every student, faculty, and staff member is issued an NCard. Your NCard has dual technology for building access and NCard functionality.
• NCards can only be activated after a request is authorized by your Dean/Director and received by University Police.

• NCards will only work for approved, specific doors. The card readers usually show red colored light. The light should turn to green when an authorized NCard is used. If the reader remains red after using your NCard, your card is not programmed for that door. Check to see if you have been approved for this door by contacting your Key Manager or University Police. If the reader light turns green, but the door won't open, it is most likely a hardware problem. Contact University Police or Facilities, Management & Planning Help Desk at 2-1550 to report the problem.

• Exterior doors will be locked at all times outside the building's normal business hours. Exiting the building will not be affected.
• If you work late, you may still exit the building as normal and do not need your NCard activated.
• If you have legitimate business or operational needs to work in your building after hours, weekends or holidays you may request access through your Dean/Director.

• Exiting the building will not be affected by installing card access.
• Only an authorized NCard will be used for after hour access into buildings that have activated card access readers. Other doors will have locks changed and your exterior door key will no longer work.
• When a building is being converted to card access, your department Dean/Director will be notified of the change in advance of the effective date.

• Interior, department keys are controlled by your Department/Building Key Manager.
• Only the department designee, Key Coordinator, completes the online Key Request.
• Key Requests processed by 12:00 noon, will generally be available at University Police after Noon on the following business day.

• As Facilities Management and Planning installs card access on selected exterior doors to a facility, after hour access can only be granted through card access using your NCard.
• Buildings will have pre-determined hours of operation. Deans/Directors are authorized to request or approve exceptions to building security to those students and employees with needs for accessing the building outside of normal hours of operation.
• With authorization from your Dean/Director, requests can be submitted only by the Dean/Director or their designated Key Manager. Proposed: "Click here to see your Key Manager"
• Once the request is received, the recipient will be notified by email that the request has been approved and you NCard has been activated for door access to the requested spaces.

• The Key Manager designated by the Dean/Director approves requests for interior doors controlled by the Department.
• Your Dean/Director authorizes requests for exterior door access. University Police provides final approval of requests.

• Interior Door Keys may be picked up by the Department's Key Manager, or their designee, at University Police, 300 N. 17th Street.
• Keys may only be picked up by the Key Manager, their designee, or the person to whom the keys will be issued.
• Key Requests will be held at University Police for 30 days after the initial request. Keys not picked up within 30 days will be returned to the Key Shop and the order cancelled.

• Key requests will be held at University Police for 30 days after the initial request. After 30 days, the request is cancelled and the key returned to key storage.
• Following the 30 day period, a new request is required to obtain the requested key(s).

• Departments are responsible for tracking, issuing and reissuing keys to non high-security spaces controlled by that Department. Contact your Key Manager for directions.

• You may return your department interior keys to your Department Key Manager.
• The Department Key Manager can run a report of the current keys assigned to you.
• Found keys, unidentified keys, or rogue keys should be turned into University Police.

• Lost or stolen keys should be immediately reported to your department key/card coordinator and University Police, upon discovery.
• Lost or stolen NCards should be immediately reported to University Police so building access can be deactivated. Once a new NCard is obtained, building access on the new NCard can be restored.

• Keys or NCards should be turned in to University Police.

• All keys are made by the University Key Shop. Duplication of university keys is strictly prohibited.
• Keys must be requested through your Department Key Manger.
• Keys are not to be loaned out and must remain in the possession of the Key Holder.

• Have your department Key Manager request another key, using the option of replacement for a bent/broken/non-working key.
• If the lock is broken and not related to a key problem, call the FMP Help Desk at 2-1550.

• Obsolete keys are to be returned to University Police.

• Lock changes can be requested by Department Deans/Chairs or their designee by calling the FMP Help Desk at 2-1550.
• Emergency lock changes can be requested by calling the FMP Help Desk at 2-1550 and are subject to all charges, including overtime, if necessary.

• An annual audit is required by each department to validate the continued use of keys/cards they have issued. A notification from University Police will prompt units of the audit to be undertaken.