Larger campus means stricter security
The American University in Cairo (AUC) is implementing new and advanced security measures in its new campus in Kattameya that will require students, faculty and staff to carry their IDs at all times.
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| Courtesy of the Office of Communications and Marketing A LOT TO SECURE HERE: The large 260-acre campus will require more security measures to cover the increased security needs. |
Rather than having individual security guards visually inspect every person’s ID card as they enter the campus, the university will use electronic gates able to ‘read’ the cards, similar to the ones currently being tested at the AUC library downtown. The new campus library entrance will also utilize these same electronic gates.
The Radio Frequency Identification cards (RFID) will be used for everything. “They will be like keys,” said General Ashraf Kamal, director of security and safety at AUC.
Even with the electronic equipment, security guards will be present to randomly ‘spot check’ cards “to ensure they are being used by the person to whom they were issued,” said Paul Donoghue, vice president for planning and administration.
Student reactions to the new security measures were mixed.
“I thought when we got the electronic equipment we would not have security guards standing there, but now it is even harder to walk into the library,” said Sara Kamel, a business administration sophomore.
“If we have the electronic gates for the library, we don’t need security guards, but for the university gates we definitely need security guards,” said undeclared sophomore Noha Kandil.
Visitors who don’t have AUC IDs will be issued entry passes for parking and visitor cards to get into AUC buildings.
“In the event that a holder of a valid ID card happens to forget to bring his card with him, they will be required to go through the procedures to obtain a visitors pass before being allowed on campus,” said Donoghue.
But Donogue suggested a simple solution: “If you wish to avoid that inconvenience, don’t forget to carry your ID card with you at all times.”
Some AUCians seem to like the idea, “If somebody forgets his ID card, it’s his fault. I like the new system in the library, it is very efficient,” said Tarek Saleh, a physics junior.
“I think it’s good, because for outsiders it was easier to come into university but for students there won’t be any excuse. AUCians have to be responsible,” said Mariam Tolba, an art senior. Currently, visitors are asked to leave a form of identification at the gate before entry.
Kamal also added that students will be required to use their IDs to unlock classroom and lab doors ‘like hotel rooms.’
However, Donoghue said that day-to-day security and access procedures to labs and classrooms are still being reviewed.
At the parking entrance, security will only allow students, faculty and staff with parking passes into the parking lot. “We are hoping that the parking permits will include RFID technology to be easily readable upon entry,” said Donoghue.
“It is expected that parking permits will be paid for either by cash or cheque; hopefully, we will also be able to arrange payments online,” added Donoghue.
There will also be a single visitors’ parking lot for those who do not have a parking permit.
The only exception to entry without a valid parking pass will be a single entrance where cars can drive into a drop-off point where passengers can disembark. The car must then leave the campus.
Details of use and access to parking lots are still being finalized, but all parking lots will be monitored using closed circuit security cameras and the security staff will regularly patrol the lots as well, said Donoghue.
