Dear UMB Community:

You may have noticed two new technologies this year as you enter University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) buildings: a red and green card reader, and a visitor management kiosk. These changes are for the safety of our entire UMB community. Please take a moment to read these instructions, which will ensure a smooth transition when these systems are fully implemented Jan. 3.  

One Card Reader: Building Occupancy Monitor

Each building now has a card reader with red and green lights on a pedestal near the security kiosk. All UMB students, faculty, and staff will need to swipe their One Cards each time they enter a UMB building. UMB security officers will ensure that each person is swiping their One Card at the pedestal. This helps keep our UMB community safe by ensuring only those with approved access are entering UMB buildings.

This system also helps to track building occupancy during an emergency. While UMB community members should not swipe out when they leave a UMB building, emergency officials can use the data to identify the last location where each One Card was used. This can determine if a community member may still be inside and need help.

Lobby Guard: Visitor Management System

Visitors to UMB can quickly and easily sign in using Lobby Guard. This kiosk allows visitors and delivery persons to scan their driver’s license (or enter their information if they do not hve a driver’s license), have their picture taken, answer COVID-19 safety questions, and identify the person they are visiting. The system will print a sticker badge with their name, picture, and the date. When they leave, visitors can simply scan the barcode on the sticker badge so UMB has a record of their departure.

UMB community members who forget their One Card also can use Lobby Guard to sign in. 

I want to thank those who have helped to make this project a reality: Tom Hockensmith, executive director, Center for Information Technology Services (CITS); Chad Ellis, assistant chief, UMB Police Department; and Joe Dincau, IT project manager, CITS. I also want to thank Karen Park, Peter Murray, Brian Coats, Zia Mafaher, and Alex Zouras-Wieneke for their support. 

Most of all, I want to thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience as we roll out these two systems campus-wide. Together, we can ensure a safer UMB.

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Leone, MSL
UMB Chief of Police