Access to Residence Halls
All residence halls require residents to swipe their Blue Demon Card (physical student ID card or mobile version) in designated card readers to enter. Residents who do not have a Blue Demon Card prior to their move-in appointment must follow instructions to secure their mobile Blue Demon Card at bluedemoncard.depaul.edu. 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
Traditional residence halls and most apartment buildings 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 Blue Demon Card (DePaul ID) belongs to the person attempting to enter by viewing the Blue Demon Card in the smartphone wallet If the desk receptionist believes there is a discrepancy, the person may not be allowed to enter the building.
- Residents who are unable to provide their DePaul ID Card will not be allowed access into the residence hall without access assistance from staff.
- 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 share their mobile credentials or hall key with any other person for use. Additionally, students or visitors are not allowed to use the mobile credentials and/or residence hall key of another student to enter any residence hall.
- To replace a physical Blue Demon Card that has been lost or stolen, 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 Blue Demon Card for their hall card readers. Residents should always keep unit doors locked and carry room keys and ID cards on their smartphone for security purposes.
- If a resident is locked out or has misplaced their smartphone containing their mobile credentials 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 smartphone containing mobile credentials is lost, damaged, 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 smartphone containing their mobile credentials 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 $112 (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.