Access to Residence Halls
All residence halls require residents to swipe their ID card in designated card readers to enter. Residents only have access privileges to the hall in which they are assigned. Residents or visitors without appropriate photo identification will be denied access to the residence halls. Please review the Visitor Policy webpage for more information.
Front Desks
All traditional residence halls, as well as Centennial Hall and Sanctuary Hall & Townhomes have 24-hour front desk security operations. All hall front desks are typically staffed by student employee desk receptionists from 8:00 a.m. until midnight and by professional security staff from midnight until 8:00 a.m.
- The desk receptionist on duty will verify that the ID card belongs to the person attempting to enter. If the desk receptionist believes there is a discrepancy, the person may not be allowed to enter the building and the ID may be confiscated.
- Residents who are unable to provide their DePaul ID Card will not be allowed access into the residence hall.
- Assistance related to access (lost ID card or lock-out) after business hours will result in a $25 fee billed to the resident's student account.
- Residents are not allowed to give their DePaul ID Card and/or residence hall key to any other person for use. Additionally, students are not allowed to use the DePaul ID Card and/or residence hall key of another student to enter any residence hall.
- To replace a lost or stolen DePaul ID Card, a resident must visit ID Card Services in the Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 109 (after business hours, visit the hall front desk).
- Should a resident have any problems associated with building access, they should contact their area office during business hours, or the hall front desk after hours.
Keys, Lock-Outs & ID Card Access Issues
All residents are issued a key for their living unit and are granted access to their DePaul ID Card for their hall card readers. Residents should keep unit doors locked and carry room keys and ID cards with them at all times for security purposes.
- If a resident is locked out or has misplaced their ID during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.), the resident should seek assistance at their area office.
- If a DePaul ID Card is lost or stolen during business hours, the resident should visit ID Card Services in the Student Center for assistance.
- If a resident is locked out of their room or has misplaced their ID card after business hours, they should contact the building’s front desk so the desk receptionist can call the appropriate staff to help them gain access to their room.
- A fee of $25 will be assessed for access related services and will be billed to the resident's student account.
- Should university staff need to enter a unit (e.g., for maintenance or routine inspections), they will lock the door when leaving. Should a unit or apartment door be unlocked when no one is present, staff will lock the door and residents may be responsible for any lock-out fees.
Lock Changes & New Keys
If a lock change is necessary for a unit, a work order should be submitted online, and a fee of $100 (plus $4 per key for key replacement) will be assessed. New keys may be picked up at the area office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. If a resident does not pick up the new keys within one week of notice, a fee and/or disciplinary action may be assessed for failure to abide by this policy. If it is determined that an emergency lock change needs to occur, residents may be assessed an additional fee for this procedure. The copying of campus housing keys is prohibited. Bedroom doors within apartment units have privacy locks and can be locked from the inside, but not locked with a key. Residents may not add additional locks to residence doors or bedroom doors within a unit.