West Va. University Gets Its Hands On Access Control

Jul 8, 2006 12:00 PM

West Virginia University has chosen biometric hand readers to control access to its Student Recreation Center. The readers, from Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, are being used to replace a card swiping system already in place.

“The primary reason that we brought in this device was convenience for students,” says Carolyn McDaniel, assistant director of Student Affairs Business Operations. “The students have said that they don't want to bring their card. It is one more thing for them to keep track of. The Rec Center is probably the place where cards are most often lost.”

McDaniel says about five lost student ID cards are found by Rec Center employees every day, prompting the switch to biometric access control. Students, faculty and staff interested in using the hand reader instead of their WVU identification cards first enroll in the program.

The reader has a flat platen with five metal posts embedded in it. When registering for the service, the user places his or her hand on the platen with each finger touching a corresponding post. Once registered for the program, Rec Center patrons no longer use their ID cards to gain admittance; only the scanner lets them in.

According to McDaniel, about 30 to 40 percent of students coming into the Rec Center have signed up for the hand reader system.

“I think this is a very positive thing, especially for new students coming in,” senior student Jon Jaraiedi says. “If incoming freshmen and other underclassmen sign up for this system, it will probably reduce lines and lost cards significantly.”

The success of the project has prompted WVU Dining Services to express an interest in the technology for students with meal plans.

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