2008 Woodie Awards
Turnstiles to be Installed at One Pace Plaza
Kristin Edwards
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: News
The security department at Pace held an open forum for students and faculty September 21 to discuss the installation of turnstiles at One Pace Plaza.
The proposal calls for six turnstiles on the B-level and two at each entrance on the first floor. The turnstiles would be designed to include a screen, which would have the ID picture projected on it, as well as a gate that would open for wheelchair accessibility. Security personnel would be in place at each turnstile location to view the picture on the screen, ensuring everyone is who they claim to be.
It is essential that all students activate their Pace One cards as the turnstiles are a computerized system, and without activation, the cards will not be recognized. Frank McDonald of security stresses that it is not, however, required that students activate the banking part of the card.
McDonald sights the ID cards as part of the reason for the proposal, stating, "The OneCard design has reduced the size of the ID pictures, hence the need for turnstiles."
As security must deal with so many students each day, the turnstiles will make it easier for security to make sure that everyone entering the building is authorized to be there.
Students and faculty are uncertain about the new turnstiles. Freshman Daniel Fletcher said, "[It will take] a lot of stress off security, but it [won't] make it easier for us. It will most likely be time consuming, as there will be lines."
"It might be a hassle to swipe in, and a lot of people forget their ID. It'll make it more difficult to get into school," sophomore Cynthia Li said.
While McDonald acknowledges that in the beginning, the turnstiles may slow down entrance into school and crowding may occur, he is confident that in time, as students get used to them, they will become more comfortable.
Before proposing the use of turnstiles, Richard Abbinanti, director of Security, and McDonald visited many buildings and universities throughout the city, which already have turnstiles in place, including New York University. After discussions with the security personnel at NYU, as well as students and faculty, it became apparent to McDonald and Abbinanti that the system was a success. McDonald insists the system would run as smooth as it does in NYU, as Pace has a smaller population and would have more turnstiles in place.
The proposal calls for six turnstiles on the B-level and two at each entrance on the first floor. The turnstiles would be designed to include a screen, which would have the ID picture projected on it, as well as a gate that would open for wheelchair accessibility. Security personnel would be in place at each turnstile location to view the picture on the screen, ensuring everyone is who they claim to be.
It is essential that all students activate their Pace One cards as the turnstiles are a computerized system, and without activation, the cards will not be recognized. Frank McDonald of security stresses that it is not, however, required that students activate the banking part of the card.
McDonald sights the ID cards as part of the reason for the proposal, stating, "The OneCard design has reduced the size of the ID pictures, hence the need for turnstiles."
As security must deal with so many students each day, the turnstiles will make it easier for security to make sure that everyone entering the building is authorized to be there.
Students and faculty are uncertain about the new turnstiles. Freshman Daniel Fletcher said, "[It will take] a lot of stress off security, but it [won't] make it easier for us. It will most likely be time consuming, as there will be lines."
"It might be a hassle to swipe in, and a lot of people forget their ID. It'll make it more difficult to get into school," sophomore Cynthia Li said.
While McDonald acknowledges that in the beginning, the turnstiles may slow down entrance into school and crowding may occur, he is confident that in time, as students get used to them, they will become more comfortable.
Before proposing the use of turnstiles, Richard Abbinanti, director of Security, and McDonald visited many buildings and universities throughout the city, which already have turnstiles in place, including New York University. After discussions with the security personnel at NYU, as well as students and faculty, it became apparent to McDonald and Abbinanti that the system was a success. McDonald insists the system would run as smooth as it does in NYU, as Pace has a smaller population and would have more turnstiles in place.