New technology to enhance safety and security in classrooms

The University has invested in new technology to enhance the safety and security of faculty, staff, and students in the classroom. The Board of Trustees approved funding for the safety enhancements in February.

Beginning May 21, Deacon One and Pathway Technologies, Inc. (PTI) will install manual thumb-turn locks and emergency buttons in 25 buildings and 300 classrooms on Reynolda Campus and Wake Downtown. The project is expected to take 15 to 18 months to complete. 

The locks and buttons, when activated, will immediately notify Wake Forest University Police of an emergency. Thumb turn locks, also called turn-and-release locks, secure the entry points to the room while allowing users to easily open and close doors from the inside. The majority of the emergency buttons will be installed near the A/V controls on the wall. If this is not an option, buttons will be placed on the

wall opposite the entry door(s).

Green Hall, Winston Hall and Scales Fine Arts Center are in line for installation this summer.

“The installation of the new technology is a significant undertaking directed by the leadership of the University for the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff,” said James Byrd, director of Deacon One and Wake Forest’s Office of Physical Security Technology. “These security updates are the most comprehensive since the move to card access in 1986.”

In 2021, the University updated its Building Access Policy to include the addition of Deacon One badge access readers at the entrances of several University buildings that formerly did not require keycard access.

What to expect during the campus safety enhancement project 

Over the next 18 months, PTI and Deacon One will work in the University’s academic buildings. Space managers will keep faculty and staff informed as the project moves forward. General information on progress will be shared on Inside WFU. Deacon One staff will provide in-person training on how to use the new devices and will schedule it with space managers.

During installation:

• PTI will focus on cabling activities throughout this project. This preparatory work in building hallways will happen prior to door enhancements. Though noise levels will be minimal during this process, there may be moments of high-level noise.
• PTI will also be focused on removing doors where applicable, routing/boring and glass removal where needed, and installing door hardware. Work may also include installing wall-mounted card readers. To accomplish the necessary work, actions include but are not limited to, cutting, drilling, and high-level noise.

With the installation of the new technology on Reynolda Campus and at Wake Downtown, Wake Forest is aligned with other colleges and universities that have invested in safety and security devices for the classroom. 

The Deacon One Office appreciates the community’s cooperation and patience while installing the new safety devices. Email deacononecard@wfu.edu or your department space manager with any questions or concerns as the project progresses.