Michigan State University
Controller's Office
The installation of electronic security card access and implementation of enhanced security measures and protocols is intended to mitigate the appropriate and highest risk areas of the campus related to health, safety, and security. Criteria for determining levels of risk and determining those instances where the installation of card access is necessary have been developed for the exterior of campus buildings including the farms areas. Similarly, criteria has also been developed for the interior of campus buildings including the following areas: research and research support; technology server rooms; rooms necessary for the major systems operations of buildings; and other areas that may be categorized as sensitive due to the nature of the information, activity, or equipment stored. These criteria guide decision-making with regard to implementing card access or enhanced security measures and/or protocols on the campus.
The mission of the University Safety and Security Committee is to:
As a part of this role, the Committee will also review and recommend priorities for the installation of security card access within available financial resources. Priorities will be determined based on the criteria outlined for both exterior and interior spaces as well as individual risk assessments that may be conducted for a more in-depth analysis of a given area or space (See ‘Card Access and Enhanced Security Checklist’). In those instances where a judgment is required between competing priorities, the Safety and Security Committee will review the issues and recommend a course of action. Periodically, the group will also review and update the criteria used to guide the setting of priorities for the installation of security card access.
MSU construction standards state that all new construction (buildings and additions) and major renovations will include electronic security card access at the exterior entrances of the facility. Further, and dependent on the space program, interior security card access may be required if the room use falls within the all-campus criteria that indicates such an installation is necessary (See ‘Card Access and Enhanced Security Checklist’ ). For all other interior spaces, the building user may request the installation of electronic card access. In either case (required or elected) the cost of the installation will be planned as a component of the total project cost and included in the funding plan.
The source of funds used to cover on-going operating costs will vary depending on whether or not the costs are related to exterior versus interior spaces. Exterior card access operating costs will be covered centrally and requested by the Department of Police and Public Safety as part of the funding requests made through the annual budget planning and development process. Inasmuch as interior card access is driven by the user and the selected use of space, operating costs for the interior of facilities will generally be assumed by the unit and budgeted through the annual unit budget development process.
The installation of exterior and interior electronic security card access for existing facilities will be based on the all-campus criteria that may require this level of security (See ‘Card Access and Enhanced Security Checklist’).
Costs for installation of exterior card access will be covered centrally. Costs for the installation of interior card access can be shared with the central campus if the installation is determined to be necessary by the all-campus criteria. Cost sharing requests are made by the unit through the annual Alterations and Improvements request process and will be reviewed by the University Safety and Security Committee.
The source of funds used to cover on-going operating costs will vary depending on whether or not the costs are related to exterior versus interior spaces. Exterior card access operating costs will be covered centrally and requested by the Department of Police and Public Safety as part of the funding requests made through the annual budget planning and development process. Inasmuch as interior card access is driven by the user and the selected use of space, operating costs for the interior of facilities will generally be assumed by the unit and budgeted through the unit annual budget development process.
Should card access be required for a space or set of spaces and subsequently installed due to the all-campus criteria and the room functions are moved to a new location, the security recommendation will follow the functions and card access must be installed at the new location. Funding to cover the installation costs will need to be arranged by the unit.
Should card access be required and subsequently installed for a space or set of spaces due to the all-campus criteria and the room functions are moved at the request of the university to a new location, card access will be installed. The installation costs will be covered by the central campus.
Should a move result in a vacant space that has card access installed, the new occupants will use the system and assume any annual operating costs. An existing card access system will generally not be removed or disabled for a new tenant. It is the policy of the University to equip as many areas as possible with secure access control.
In either case, and inasmuch as room use is determined by the user, operating costs will be covered by the unit.
For all alteration and improvement projects of existing space, card access will be reviewed as one of the planning components. Should it be determined that card access is either required by the all campus criteria or elected by the user, installation costs will be included as part of the total project cost and funded accordingly. Operating costs will be covered by the unit.
This document is designed to help personnel assess their security requirements for Michigan State University rooms, suites, laboratories, facilities and areas. The results of this checklist will help determine if card access is required, enhanced security measures and/or protocols are required, or if no additional security is needed.
If it is concluded that a card access control system is required, please refer to the MSU Construction Standard for Card Access for system requirements.
Enhanced security measures and/or protocols can include any equipment or system that adds increased protection against theft, damage, tampering or personal injury. This includes, but is not limited to, card access, locks, video cameras, motion detectors, fencing, the separation of animals and humans, gates, lighting, posted hours of operation, warning-related signage and administrative security protocols.
Prior to assessing the need for enhanced access security control, units and individuals should:
The following checklist contains questions addressing five major areas: research areas, server rooms, sensitive interior areas, farm areas, and physical plant rooms.
PLEASE REVIEW ALL CRITERIA BEFORE MAKING A DECISION TO IMPLEMENT CARD ACCESS AND/OR ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES.
Examples of proprietary information include but are not limited to:
These areas may be support areas storing equipment and supplies or the main area for a function that is not directly research related. These rooms are critical to the operation of an individual 5 department or the University as a whole. The nature and use of these areas suggests that they be considered for access control.
My room/suite/laboratory/facility/area:
My room/suite/laboratory/facility/area:
My office/room/laboratory/area contains material quantities of:
A security assessment can be requested and will be made by the MSU Security Review Team to determine the appropriateness of required and enhanced security measures and/or protocols for the campus. Examples of when a security assessment may be most beneficial include but are not necessarily limited to spaces that: