UCM Advances Electronic Access Project, Introducing Mobile Mule Card for Keyless Entry

As the University of Central Missouri moves closer to finishing its campus-wide electronic access project, it is gradually incorporating the Mobile Mule Card into this program to provide keyless entry into university buildings.

UCM’s Department of Public Safety launched the electronic access project during the fall 2022 semester. This action was made possible by the Board of Governors in April 2022, which authorized a $2.7 million contract with Integrated Opening Solutions in Olathe, Kansas, to provide labor, materials and equipment necessary to provide building access security upgrades and touchless entry solutions.

This new system covers access to 45 buildings and a total of 601 interior and exterior doors which have been electronically fitted to be unlocked via a key fob or a cell phone by campus members with UCM digital identification credentials. This not only limits the number of keys the university must distribute campus-wide but it also fosters a more touchless environment around entryways that can help support a healthy campus. Funds for this initiative were made possible through federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding (HEERF) that was initiated to help combat the pandemic.

Mike Papasifakis, supervisor of Parking Services and Access Control, said the first phase of this project included the installation of the hardware that enables doors to be opened electronically. The university is currently in the “maintenance/warranty” phase to ensure that infrastructure is functioning properly, and Public Safety personnel are also being trained on new software, Access It! This tool is used for access management, and is integrated with the university’s Banner system, which is an administrative software application that maintains student, financial and personnel data.

Parking Services and Access Control are now working with the Office of Technology to determine employee and student access levels to university buildings. These levels are based on an employee or student’s position on campus, and the needs they have for accessing certain areas in order to perform job functions, enter student housing facilities, or perform educational tasks outside the traditional classroom. Art students, for example, may need to enter work areas after hours and music students may require access to practice rooms.

While key fobs have been distributed to university employees and students who require access to certain buildings, Papasifakis said the next step in this project is for individuals to transition to the Mobile Mule Card to enter buildings with locked doors. Individuals who have an official university ID will be able to do so through the UCM Campus Card Center, which is located in Elliott Student Union 119 and online. Instructions for making the transition can be found on the center’s website, where there are options to download information into Apple, Google or Samsung wallets.

Although the Mobile Mule Card will play an instrumental role in electronic access in UCM’s near future, it continues to serve many other functions that benefit the campus community. This includes allowing users to make payments on and around campus such as purchases at campus dining locations, UCM Store, access to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, James C. Kirkpatrick Library and more – all they need is an iPhone, Apple Watch or Android phone. It also allows students to get into Mules and Jennies sporting events as well as other programs on campus for free.