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Foodservice directors are quietly transforming a major cost center into a strategic advantage. The line item? Takeout containers and food packaging.

Across North America, campuses spend tens of thousands of dollars on disposable packaging for dining programs. Rising costs, zero-waste mandates, and student expectations around sustainability are prompting foodservice teams to reconsider the logic behind all that trash.

One model is standing out: managed reusable container programs, powered by new technology.

The shift to tech-enabled reuse

Instead of purchasing thousands of single-use containers each month, schools are adopting systems where guests check out with reusable containers and return them later. While the concept of reusable packaging isn’t new, what has changed is the technology making it practical, scalable, and trackable—without adding operational friction.

With no app or token required, signup friction is reduced. Instead, students can use their campus card from Transact + CBORD, TouchNet, and Atrium.

At Reusables.com, we are driving this shift offering North America’s leading reuse platform that provides the hardware, software, and logistics to run a closed-loop container program. Reusables.com is already live at more than 15 campuses in the US and Canada, including UCLA, Pomona College, UC Riverside and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

With Reusables.com, guests simply tap their campus card or credit card to borrow a container. No app download is required. Containers are returned to smart bins that track usage, send return reminders, and keep staff updated in real time.

Reusables.com supports an array of container options

What’s different

Other reusable container programs failed in the past due to low return rates, poor guest experience, and staff overload. New systems like Reusables.com have solved for these problems with:

This modern approach helps foodservice teams pilot quickly, scale efficiently, and unlock savings without needing new headcount.

One mid-sized university processed 150,000 checkouts with a 99% return rate

Adoption across North America

Reusables.com is now in use at US institutions including UCLA, Pomona College, UC Riverside, RIT, as well as Canadian schools like the University of Guelph.

At UCLA, the system integrates directly with student cards and allows for credit/debit accountability as well. Students tap their ID or credit card and skip any extra app setup. At UC Riverside, the dining and sustainability offices implemented Reusables.com as part of their broader climate strategy.

The numbers

Schools using Reusables.com report packaging cost savings of 30 to 50 percent annually. Because containers are reused hundreds of times, campuses cut costs, reduce landfill waste, and avoid the hassle of managing deposits, tokens, or manually tracked systems.

Another campus saw a 50% drop in disposable packaging spend, fewer stockouts, and higher student satisfaction.

One mid-sized university processed 150,000 checkouts and reported:

Another school reported a 50% drop in disposable packaging spend, fewer stockouts, and higher student satisfaction.

Self-service stations make it easy to checkout reusable containers

No more chasing containers

At the University of Guelph, the dining team integrated Reusables.com to support its zero-waste goals.

With Reusables.com, we have real-time insights into our container program and clear sustainability metrics,” says Brooke Gregoire, Manager of Hospitality Services. “Returns process smoothly, and our team no longer spends time chasing containers.”

Guelph now runs 15 smart return stations across campus. Their system gives students five days to return containers before applying a refundable $7 fee. The dining team reported less time spent managing inventory and a drop in waste and supply costs.

Reusables.com return station

Reusables.com Container Return Station

Global media coverage

Mainstream news outlets are paying attention to this trend. In September 2025, The Wall Street Journal profiled the shift in its piece, “That Single-Use Coffee Cup Could Be on the Way Out.” The article spotlighted how institutions are evolving from small pilots to permanent infrastructure in response to regulatory and financial pressure. Reuse, the Journal noted, is emerging as a cost-saving and compliance-ready strategy.

Several trends are pushing campuses toward reuse:

For many institutions, reuse is no longer just a sustainability talking point. It is a financial and operational priority.

At Reusables.com, we view ourselves as a technology partner, not a container company. Thus, our role is to help foodservice teams launch and scale reuse without friction.

Waste nothing guarantee

Reusables.com’s Waste Nothing Guarantee assures a 99% return rate, savings of at least 30% and $5,000 in new revenue during the first semester — with no up-front cost.

Book a demo now to get a free ROI estimate for your school’s container program.

In this CampusIDNews Chat episode, we talked with Tim Nyblom, HID Global’s Director of End User Development for Higher Education. He outlined three key innovations shaping campus identity and security.

One of the most transformative changes is the expansion of mobile credential options. “The tech giants engaging in this space and are now opening up different channels, different partners, and different integrations,” says Nyblom. “[With this,] different companies will be coming into this space to be able to offer wallet-based solutions.”

Apple and Google are now opening up different channels, and this will enable new companies to offer wallet-based credentials.

This will give institutions the ability to adopt mobile access in ways that best fit their environment.

Biometrics and open architecture fuel next wave of innovation

Nyblom also points to biometrics as a major area of progress. HID recently introduced a new facial biometric reader called Amico, designed to enhance campus security.

“Universities have been asking for this for a long time,” he explains. “There are different use cases on campus, from recreation centers, athletic buildings, server labs, data centers, medical campuses — anywhere you want that extra layer of security.”

Another key development centers on HID’s Mercury controllers, the long-standing backbone of many access systems. Their open architecture controller gives institutions freedom to integrate new solutions and providers without costly hardware replacement. “You have the ability to pick and choose your partners and not have to rip-and-replace readers,” Nyblom says.

With so many advancements converging, Nyblom says the current environment in higher education identity and security is “ever-changing and exciting.”

To watch the full interview, click the image at the top of this page.

 


TRANSCRIPT

It's an exciting time in the higher education industry. There's so much happening, so much innovation, so much new technology entering this space. There’s more flexibility, more choices for universities than ever before.

One example is obviously mobile credentials. It has been a huge topic over the last couple of years and what's really exciting is there's now going to be more choices than ever.

The tech giants have been engaging in this space and are now opening up different channels, different partners, and different integrations.

Different companies will be coming into this space to be able to offer wallet-based solutions and mobile access-based solutions using an app as well like we've been doing for a very long time. There's just a lot more choice and flexibility that universities now are going to be able to take advantage of.

Another example is innovation in the biometric arena. We have a new facial biometric reader called the Amico that we're super excited about. Universities have been asking for this for a long time. There are different use cases on campus, from recreation centers, athletic buildings, server labs, data centers, medical campuses – anywhere where you want that extra layer of security.

Another example on the innovation side is around our Mercury controllers. It's been the leading controller in the industry for a very long time.

One of the greatest things about Mercury is that it is an open architecture platform where you have the ability to pick and choose your partners and not have to rip and replace hardware.

Recently we just introduced the latest line, the Blackboards as they're referred to or seen on the MP controller side. It really gives universities a ton of flexibility. As systems are going end of life, universities are now being able to take control of that hardware and protect themselves on all future investments.

We are talking a lot about this, we're getting a lot of questions, our partners are bringing a ton of opportunities around the Mercury controller and it's a really exciting time.

These are just a few examples of what's happening in this space, it is a great time to be in this industry, it is ever-changing, there's so much excitement and passion right now and, our team is here. If you ever need us, please feel free to reach out.

We want to be that trusted advisor and make sure that you are making the best decisions for your institution.

When many think of Allegion, they picture locks and hardware. But Jeff Koziol, the company’s business leader for higher education, emphasizes that Allegion is also focused on mobile credentials.

“A lot of people think of us as a hardware supplier, an electronic lock provider, but we also do mobile credentials,” he explains. The company not only manufactures devices that work with its own mobile IDs, but it also ensures compatibility with other providers including Transact and HID.

Partnerships are key to that strategy.

With Google recently announcing Wallet credentials for TouchNet and Atrium campuses, Allegion can support both iOS and Android users, even offering Google Wear compatibility.

“One of the things that Allegion has been very aggressive about – especially in higher education – is making sure that we have established partnerships that address all use cases for mobile credentials to mimic what’s happening with the campus card,” says Koziol.

That includes collaboration with vendors in areas such as vending, laundry, printing, and point of sale.

Allegion mobile credentials now support TouchNet and Atrium

To date, Allegion’s mobile solutions have been widely deployed with CBORD, but the company is broadening its reach.

“Our credentials now work with TouchNet’s OneCard access system and Atrium as well,” Koziol notes. With Google recently announcing Wallet credentials for TouchNet and Atrium campuses, Allegion can support both iOS and Android users, even offering Google Wear compatibility.

To watch the full interview, click the image at the top of this page.

 


TRANSCRIPT

In this episode of CampusIDNews Chats, we spoke with Jeff Koziol, Allegion’s business leader for higher education. He discusses the company’s approach to mobile credentials, including ensuring their access control readers support both their own credential as well as credentials issued by other mobile credential providers.

Here is what he had to say:

Hi I am Jeff Koziol. I am the business leader for higher education and wanted to give you some updates on where we're at with our business and our portfolio.

A lot of people think of Allegion as a hardware supplier, an electronic lock provider, but we also do mobile credentials.

We manufacture devices that work with our credentials, and we manufacture devices that work with other people's credentials in the industry.

Specifically in higher ed, these would be companies like Transact and the HID wallet type of solutions.

One of the things that Allegion has been very aggressive about, especially in higher education, is making sure that we have established partnerships so that we can address all use cases of where mobile credentials can be used to mimic what's happening with the campus card.

That means getting outside of what we do.

That means working with companies that manufacture vending readers, readers that are going into copy print applications, laundry applications, library, bookstore, and point of sale.

We realize we can't do it by ourselves with our own portfolio, so we've got a nice network of partners.

Many of our mobile installations to date have been with CBORD and CS Gold and such, but not every campus is not on Gold.

We have a lot of hardware on Transact's credentials, but again, not every campus is Transact either, so we have rounded out our portfolio a little bit in 2025.

Our credentials now work with Touchnet's OneCard access system and Atrium as well.

So many of you have seen the release recently about a new Google Wallet credential that's going to be specifically for TouchNet and for Atrium campuses.

We have the ability to work with Apple Watch with Apple Wallet credentials, but what's unique about it is it will allow us to offer a Google Wear credential as well with Google devices.

If people are looking to get a hold of us, if they want to talk and discuss where they may want to go, they can always reach out to us.allegion.com. They can find case studies, and they can find articles that we've done. You can look at our portfolio.

Or please feel free to email me directly at jeffrey.koziol at allegion.com.

Happy to have that conversation.

Transact + CBORD’s latest version of the Transact IDX® cloud-based transaction system includes integration with the company’s popular mobile credential offering. The update is available now, and clients can leverage these enhancements without additional hardware investments or complex migrations.

The first institution to rollout mobile ID with IDX is Northeast Mississippi Community College (NEMCC). In just the first two weeks, nearly 40% of the students adopted the new credential.

"We jumped at the chance to be the first school to launch [mobile credential] on the IDX platform," said Chris Murphy, Vice President of Finance at Northeast Mississippi Community College. "Transact + CBORD worked closely with us to scale and adapt the system to fit our needs and resources, ensuring our students could benefit from the same innovative mobile credential technology used at much larger universities."

It was always our intention to offer mobile credential in IDX, but we needed to ensure it was delivered in the appropriate priority for clients.

Prior to this release, IDX supported an array of physical credentials, but it did not support a mobile option. Now, however, students at institutions using IDX can add their campus ID directly to Apple and Google Wallets.

“The journey we took with IDX was to identify key functionality and place it in priority order to serve the most clients with the most features in a logical progression,” says Kent Pawlak, Sr. Director, Product Strategy, Transact + CBORD.

He says the development team first created a solid foundation for managing cardholders and credentials with stored value accounts. Next, they added enhanced meal plan functionality.

“It was always our intention to offer mobile credential in IDX,” explains Pawlak. “But we needed to ensure it was delivered in the appropriate priority for clients to achieve the best value.”

Other additions to IDX

In addition to mobile ID integration, the update also includes new features designed to reduce administrative overhead, improve campus services, and give students a better experience.

One major upgrade is the incorporation of Transact’s popular eAccounts mobile app for iOS and Android. eAccounts provides one place for students to check balances, make deposits, provision credentials, and report lost cards.

Other key upgrades include:

IDX puts mobile credentials in reach of all campuses

A Transact + CBORD announcement says the NEMCC deployment positions the company, “as the leading provider currently serving community colleges with live mobile credential solutions.”

This is the seventh community college to adopt the technology.

It proves that mobile credentials can be scaled for institutions of any size, with or without large residential populations.

"It proves that advanced mobile credential technology can be successfully scaled for institutions of any size, with or without large residential populations," says Rasheed Behrooznia, EVP and GM of Campus ID and Commerce for Transact + CBORD.

According to the company, future updates to IDX will add features like AI assistance, advanced reporting, guest deposits, and entitlement tools.

When Apple released iOS 26 last week, a highly anticipated feature – the ability to add U.S. passports to the Wallet app – was notably absent from the update.

However, Apple has since updated its website to provide clarification regarding the timeline for this functionality stating, digital ID will be coming later this year with U.S. passports only.”

This suggests that the feature may be introduced with either iOS 26.1, expected in late October, or iOS 26.2, anticipated for early to mid-December, says 9to5mac.com.

They could use Wallet as their ID at any mobile-enabled airport checkpoint across the country and even in some retail locations for age verification. They will not, however, be able to use it for international travel.

According to Apple’s description of the new iOS version, users can, “create a digital ID in Wallet using your U.S. passport. It can be used at TSA checkpoints, in apps, and in person.”

Digital ID has been part of the Apple Wallet ecosystem for years, but implementation has been slow. This is because state governments must get on board with digital driver’s licenses. Many states have found the effort to make bring this to fruition is immense, and the desire to see it through has often waned.

Currently, only about a dozen states and territories in the United States offer digital IDs through Apple Wallet.

The addition of passport support, however, represents a significant expansion of digital ID for Americans. Once launched, any iPhone user running iOS 26 and holding a valid U.S. passport will be able to add it as a digital ID in the Wallet app.

This means they could use Wallet as their ID at any mobile-enabled airport checkpoint across the country and even in some retail locations for age verification. At this point, however, they will not be able to use it for international travel.

Still, it is a first step – though a significant one – toward digital ID in the U.S.

In this episode of CampusIDNews Chats, Rob Stanford, the IT Manager for Facilities explains how Auburn University uses the DAX software solution from Detrios to simplify and automate critical campus processes.

Auburn relies on a complex network of systems, including Lenel OnGuard for access control, scheduling tools like Mazevo and Ad Astra, and StarRez for housing. In the past, these systems did not communicate effectively, forcing staff to manually update each one.

I could come up with a very high return on investment from a numbers standpoint, but just from a usability and efficiency standpoint, we've seen a huge return on investment.

As a single integration point, DAX connects the multiple scheduling platforms, the housing management system, and the access control system. Now, updates made in DAX automatically sync across all platforms, ensuring doors unlock when needed and access permissions are accurate.

“It started with a single building where we wanted students to access study rooms only if they’d reserved the space,” says Stanford. “From there, we’ve grown the system as more needs arose.”

Efficiency wins with DAX at Auburn

The DAX solution has proven especially valuable during complex events, such as move-in day for student housing or unexpected weather closures. Instead of staff manually making adjustments in multiple systems, they can manage everything from one interface.

Stanford highlights how this automation has significantly reduced human error.

“You used to have to key something in one system, then go into another to apply access or pass it off to another department,” he explains. “When it’s all tied in, you’re making it more efficient and avoiding typos or miscommunication.”

This streamlined approach has allowed staff to focus on higher-priority work rather than repetitive administrative tasks. According to Stanford, the return on investment is clear—not just in cost savings but also in time, effort, and user satisfaction.

Detrios at Auburn: Reliable support and future growth

Beyond the technology itself, Stanford values the partnership with Detrios. When issues arise, he can reach out directly for fast, reliable support. This peace of mind is critical, particularly during high-pressure times like housing move-in.

For campuses looking to better connect their systems, Stanford offers a clear recommendation: “If you have a scheduling system and an access control system that don’t talk, you need DAX – or something like it.”

To watch the full interview, click the image at the top of this page.

 


TRANSCRIPT

At Auburn we have Lenel OnGuard as our access control system, and we have various different scheduling applications.

We have Mazevo, we have Ad Astra, we use Office 365, we have Calendars and Outlook, we also have a housing system, StarRez.

With all of those, we're trying to integrate. When you have certain events or things going on, you want those to be reflected in your access control system, make sure doors are unlocked, and people have the access they need.

We've been able to accomplish that using DAX and Detrios, it's been a really big hit.

It all started when we had some study rooms that people wanted to reserve. We already had the [system] on campus for them to do that, but we wanted them to only have access if they’d booked that space.

It started out in one small building, and we grew from there.

And so that's kind of the room booking kind of reservation type thing.

After that we had another situation where people wanted to control the hours their building was open because it was changing a lot. They wanted to have access to the access control system just for that one little purpose, but we didn’t want to do that.

We decided to try using a Microsoft Outlet calendar.

We said why don't you try it out and see how it goes. It worked great for them, and we've grown it from there.

In both cases, we started with one specific example and then grew as other needs came.
For our housing situation, we just went all in on that. Over a summer we prepped it and when the big move in came for the fall, we had everything set in place and the students had a different experience.

Utilizing DAX from Detrios, we're able to take our schedules from Ad Astra, Mazevo, Office 365, things like that and that's one module that they have.

They have, those integrations already built.

At Auburn, we're able to go in their web configuration module and turn things on and fill out a few fields and it just works.

That's one of the modules they have that handles the unlocking of doors and the creating access for certain periods of time.

Then their housing module is a separate thing, but all within the same web module where we were able to set up our StarRez integration.

Again, they've done all the integration, and we're just configuring it. We're mapping that if you're in this room of this residence hall in StarRez, you have this access level in our OnGuard access control system.

We do that and then it's set it and forget it. We haven't had any issues with that at all.

They have those two different functions all within the same configuration tool.

It doesn't snow much in the south, but we did have a weather day. They have the ability to ignore the events. There were all these calendar events that were coming up where the doors should be unlocked or people should be granted access, but it was decided that we were closing the school down this day.

Rather than having to go into the different scheduling softwares and get rid of [calendar events] or make adjustments, we just had to log into their system and set it to ignore all that stuff. Then we were able to let the access control system and take over, which is where we made the regular adjustments.

No doubt, there are a lot of people working in various different places on campus that don't have to do things anymore that they used to.

I'm sure if I were to sit down and do an analysis, I could come up with a very high return on investment from a numbers standpoint. But just from an effort, usability, efficiency standpoint, the feel that you get is that you got a huge return on investment.

People are very happy; there are tasks they don't have to do any more that they used to have to do. They can focus more on their real job, instead of doing these other things, because the system automatically does it.

It's also helped on mistakes. You used to have to key something in one system, like your scheduling system or StarRez, and then you would either have to go into another system to apply access or change schedules or you would pass it on to another department for them to do. Certainly, you're going to have mistakes when that happens. There's going to be a typo or miscommunication. When it's all tied in, you're making it more efficient, so people don't have to type it in multiple systems and multiple groups aren't having to deal with it.

If you don't have DAX from Detrios, and you have a scheduling system and an access control system that don't talk, you need it or you need something like it. I don't know of anyone else doing the exact thing. They are experts in the arena, and they work well to have the systems communicate with each other in a proper and professional manner using good security techniques, good coding skills, proper APIs, and they maintain that over time.

When you invest in this, you know that it's going to work on this version, I have all the confidence in the world that five years from now, it will continue to work.

If you have a homegrown system, and you think ‘I'm good, it works for me,’ you're going to have to maintain it, and things that are going to change.

That gives me peace of mind, and then, quite honestly, they're really great to work with as well.
It's easy to submit a ticket, and if there is an issue, they will resolve it.

We have a relationship with the company, and that's very important to me. Particularly when we're doing housing stuff, if that's not working and people are trying to move in and they can't get access, that's a big deal.

Knowing that I can pick up the phone and call them or put in a support ticket and get that response is very comforting.

For higher education institutions, managing access to thousands of doors across campuses has always been a daunting task. Universities often have 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 or more access control readers. For full visibility into the environment, each access point requires detailed tracking of location, hardware, firmware versions, and maintenance needs.

ASSA ABLOY’s Openings Studio is designed to streamline this process, enabling universities to manage their access control systems more efficiently and plan for the future.

To better understand how Openings Studio works and the benefits it can deliver for campus card and security operations, CampusIDNews spoke with Ryan McLachlan, Senior Director of Openings Studio Building Technologies at ASSA ABLOY, and Jeff Rindlisbacher, Director of the same division.

Centralizing data for smarter planning

When managing their physical access systems, universities face a complex web of data points. Every component requires careful documentation, from wireless locks and readers to physical door components like strikes and frames. But for most organizations, this documentation is fragmented at best.

If there’s an issue at a door – say a card isn’t working – you already have detailed information before sending someone out. That way, you’re not wasting time on a separate trip just to assess the situation.

According to McLachlan there is enormous value in creating a centralized database to track these assets.

SiteOwl acquisition complements Openings Studio, tracking components beyond doors

While Openings Studio is ideal for managing data for door access points, it was not designed to support other security infrastructure such as cameras, intrusion, panic or duress systems. Another solution called SiteOwl, however, is designed to capture all this additional component data. ASSA ABLOY acquired SiteOwl to complement its Openings Studio solution, and that is the topic of part two of our conversation with McLachlan and Rindlisbacher to be launched soon.

“Being able to document all of your existing security devices is critical,” he says. “Openings Studio has always been strong on door-centric applications, giving you the ability to collect and manage opening data at a detailed level.”

It goes beyond simple documentation by providing actionable data. Campuses can leverage the platform to align future projects with existing infrastructure, ensuring they make informed decisions about replacements and enhancements.

“It’s all about understanding what’s in the field and where it’s at from a lifecycle perspective,” he explains. “It lets you intelligently plan for upgrades or for bringing new buildings online.”

Streamlining field work and maintenance

Openings Studio is a web-based platform with mobile capabilities, making it accessible to teams both on-site and in the field. Field staff can use tablets or smartphones to gather data during site visits, conduct inspections, or troubleshoot issues in real time.

This functionality is beneficial when responding to maintenance calls. Before dispatching a technician, the system provides a complete record of the affected door, ensuring the right tools and parts are brought to the job.

NFC chips or QR codes are attached to doors during installation, upgrades, or as a part of the cataloging process. Scanning these tags reveals key information like the building location, hardware set, and access credentials.

“If there’s an issue at a door – say a card isn’t working – you already have detailed information before sending someone out,” McLachlan explains. “That way, you’re not wasting time on a separate trip just to assess the situation.”

The platform integrates smart tags, such as NFC chips or QR codes, that are attached to doors during installation, upgrades, or as a part of the cataloging process. Scanning these tags reveals key information like the building location, hardware set, and access credentials. Users with higher permissions can even view detailed work history, specifications, and even installation or programming instructions directly from the mobile app.

According to Rindlisbacher, this feature reduces confusion and accelerates problem resolution.

“All the collateral is there at your fingertips,” he says. “It’s about having everything you need in one place, whether you’re maintaining existing doors or working on new construction.”

Optimizing major campus initiatives

For campuses migrating to mobile access, Openings Studio provides a perfect opportunity to capture and organize data during the process.

“Large-scale initiatives like a mobile credential rollout are the ideal time to begin collecting detailed door data,” McLachlan explains. “Since you’re already visiting every reader, it makes perfect sense to capture that information in the most organized way possible.”

Universities can create custom inspection templates within the software to track pilot programs or test specific hardware. For example, a school might add fields to confirm whether a door successfully reads the new mobile credentials. This data is easily reportable and can help administrators identify problem areas before a full-scale launch.

Large-scale initiatives like a mobile credential rollout are the ideal time to begin collecting detailed door data. Since you’re already visiting every reader, it makes perfect sense to capture that information in the most organized way possible.”

Even when teams are on-site for a specific project, they can take more time and gather additional valuable data.

“It might start with a rekeying initiative, but while we’re there, we can capture information about fire-rated openings, card readers, and more,” Rindlisbacher says. “That extra data benefits other departments down the road.”

The platform also simplifies project tracking for construction and renovation efforts. The project team can monitor whether hardware has been delivered, installed, and quality-checked before final turnover. By providing transparency across stakeholders – from architects to general contractors to university security teams – Openings Studio can ease the workflow from start to finish.

Man working with ASSA ABLOY's Openings Studio software solution

Universities can use Openings Studio independently or have ASSA ABLOY’s consulting team test credentials and document the components and status of every door and reader

Collecting the data

The platform’s non-proprietary database supports hardware from multiple manufacturers, making it flexible for campuses with diverse systems. It also integrates with popular building design solutions, ensuring seamless collaboration between architects, contractors, and campus security teams.

While universities can use Openings Studio independently, many choose to bring in ASSA ABLOY’s consulting teams for large-scale projects. These specialists conduct conditional assessments, test credentials, and document the components and status of every physical opening and access device. For campuses with limited staff, outsourcing this work ensures accuracy and reduces the burden on internal teams.

McLachlan emphasizes that successful implementations require thinking beyond immediate needs.

“There’s often one initiative driving the project, but we always look for additional valuable data points while we’re in the field,” he said. “It’s about planning ahead and understanding the full lifecycle of your security systems.”

Benefits for campus security and campus card offices

Managing thousands of doors and access control devices is challenging for any university, but Openings Studio offers a comprehensive, scalable solution to facilitate the process. By centralizing data, streamlining maintenance, and supporting future initiatives like mobile credential migrations, the platform empowers campus card and security teams to work smarter and more efficiently.

“Ultimately, it’s about providing transparency and future-proofing your operations,” McLachlan concludes. “When you have the right data at your fingertips, you can make better decisions and ensure your campus is ready for whatever comes next.”

College athletic departments are more than just sports programs – they are complex business operations that manage major events, high-traffic facilities, and thousands of student and fan interactions. Many, however, still manage operations using a series of disparate systems for critical processes like payments, ticketing, access control, and reporting. According to TouchNet’s article Rethinking Commerce and Access in College Athletics, this outdated approach is no longer sustainable.

“Athletic departments aren’t just playing games – they’re running enterprises,” the article states. “To meet the growing demands of students, fans, leadership and financial stakeholders, they need to modernize the way they manage commerce and access.”

The silo problem in college athletics

Most athletic departments juggle dozens of commerce and access points for students, fans, and athletes. Too often, each area is managed by its own system, leading to inconsistent user experiences and high operating costs.

When access and commerce systems are integrated with the broader institutional ecosystem, everything from accounting to student engagement becomes easier to manage.

While the rest of campus IT systems have adopted integrated platforms, athletics often operates as an island due to separate budgets, vendors, and leadership structures.

Moving toward a unified platform

As demands and opportunities rise, athletic departments must evolve. Modern solutions can unify payments, campus ID access, ecommerce, and reporting under one system. This can simplify financial tracking and reconciliation, streamline event and facility management, improve security and consistency.

TouchNet stats on locker graphic

Overview of key TouchNet stats

“When access and commerce systems are integrated with the broader institutional ecosystem, everything from accounting to student engagement becomes easier to manage,” the article explains.

The future of college athletics operations

By breaking down digital silos, athletic departments can connect to the broader campus infrastructure, reducing costs and complexity. The same commerce and access solutions used by campus card, auxiliary service, and finance departments can transform athletics’ operations.

The article closes stating, “investing in connected infrastructure isn’t just an IT decision, it’s a strategic one.”

Washington State University (WSU) has transformed how students regain access to their residence halls when they’ve lost their campus card. A network of self-service kiosks designed to issue temporary cards provides a way to solve late-night access problems and ease the associated burden on staff.

“Our temporary campus card system started originally as a 24/7 self-service system for students to help them get into their res halls when we're not staffing them 24/7 with RAs,” explains Aly Heinrich, Manager of WSU’s CougarCard program. “Before the kiosks, campus staff were fielding calls at all hours from students who had lost their cards or were locked out with no RA available to help.”

By providing 24/7 access, WSU significantly reduces the need for RA staffing hours, eliminating an estimated 33,000 hours and the associate payroll.

Currently, there are kiosks in seven of the university’s 14 residence halls, with plans to expand to every hall. This will eliminate the challenge of students having to access another residence hall to get a temporary card to use in their own hall.

Temporary card kiosks serve students and save money

The kiosks issue simple, low-cost prox cards.

Students log in with their campus credentials, and the system deactivates their regular card while the temporary card is active. Each temporary card is valid for three days and comes with a $20 charge – the same amount as the normal replacement card fee. If the card is returned within two weeks, the fee is automatically refunded.

When finished, students return the card to the kiosk, which immediately makes it available for another user. WSU has about 2,000 cards in circulation, constantly being checked out and recycled.

“It gets used constantly. I checked our temp card data, and a hundred cards have been taken out since I left four days ago.”

“Just today, I checked our temp card data, and a hundred cards have been taken out since I left four days ago,” she says. “It gets used constantly.”

The benefits go beyond student convenience. By providing 24/7 access, WSU significantly reduces the need for RA staffing hours. Heinrich estimates this saves an estimated 33,600 hours of work per year, which even at minimum wage is a significant sum.

Looking ahead, she sees continued value for the system, even as mobile credentials gain popularity. As she explains, there’s still going to be times when students don’t have their phone handy and this can give them a quick, easy way to get back into their room.

 

To listen to the full interview, click the image at the top of this page.

 


TRANSCRIPT

Our temporary campus card system started originally as a 24-7 self-service system for students to help them get into their res halls when we're not staffing them 24-7 with RAs.

The problem that it was solving was our office was getting calls in the middle of the night asking, hey, my card's not working, I can't get in my dorm room, what am I supposed to do? There's no RA here.

So we installed temporary card kiosks in seven of our 14 res halls and now students have a 24-7 solution to get into their dorms.

We currently have seven kiosks in seven of our 14 res halls, but we are working on installing a kiosk in every single residence hall on campus.

We run into some students not being able to get into a different residence hall to get into a kiosk, so we're going to eliminate that problem and help them get into their res halls whenever they need.

Currently we are producing only prox cards in the temporary card kiosks.

It's cheap. It's simple.

There's not a huge security concern because they already have to log in with their own campus credentials to get a temporary card.

That temporary card only lasts for three days. It will deactivate their entire campus card account. That way they either have to come get a new campus card or they have to get a new temporary card.

When they're done with the card, the kiosks have an acceptor so they can just log into the kiosk and return their card, and they can actually reactivate their current card as well.

When a student checks out a temporary card, it puts a $20 charge on their account. Our card replacement fee is $20, but if they return that card within a two week period, the refund is automatically applied.

We use Meridian kiosks. They are mostly a hospitality food service kiosk industry, but they've produced a really fantastic piece of hardware for us.

Originally when we were using these kiosks also as card replacement systems, inside of the kiosks we had a card printer, we had a full desktop computer and everything.

Now our kiosk just has the card acceptor, the card dispenser, and the computer in there to manage the computer software system.

Just today actually, I checked our temp card data while I had a break and a hundred extra cards have been taken out since I left four days ago, so it gets used constantly.

We have about 2,000 temporary cards in production that are in recycling mode, so as soon as a student returns a temporary card to a kiosk, it's automatically removed from their account and another student can go and take that and apply it to their account instead.

Our feedback has been awesome.

We thought this might be a cool thing 15 years ago and my team has seen students asking for it more.

Even this year with a student over winter break not being able to get a temporary card because she didn't live in a hall with a kiosk – we heard that and we're going to put a kiosk in every hall now.

It started mostly as student service, but it also really helps our housing department not have to pay their RAs 12 hours a day.

Imagine 14 residence halls, one RA 12 hours a day, that's 14 times 12, times your minimum wage, we saved 33,600 hours of RA work in one year.

So multiply that by your minimum wage and that's how much money we saved.

I was presenting this project to NACCU at this conference and I let the audience know that honestly with all this talk of mobile credential, I get a little nervous that this temporary card system might die off.

It might not be needed if everybody has their phone, but they actually reassured me.

They were like, how many times do you leave your phone in your car when you're packing in your groceries. You get up to your door with your arms full of groceries and you don't have your phone, they would have to drop all their groceries, go all the way back to their car and find their phone.

Now there's a kiosk right down the hall so they can just put their groceries down for a second, go get a card, get in their room, put away the groceries and go get their phone.

As much as I was concerned about it at the beginning of this week, the folks here have really helped me feel a lot better about it, and they showed a lot of interest as well.

So it's been really cool to see the value that this provides for our students and that there is a future with it as well.

It was 20 years ago when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, devastating cities and towns across Louisiana and Mississippi. Nearly 1400 people lost their lives and – adjusted for inflation – it remains the most costly hurricane in U.S. history.

For countless families and individuals, life was changed forever, and negative impacts are still close at hand. But occasionally instances of good come out of even the worst events.

Such was the case when a student ID card that was lost during the storm was returned to its owner at Katrina’s twentieth anniversary.

Driven to solve the mystery, Copeland posted a photo on the high school’s alumni page. It did not take long for people to respond.

While walking a stretch of beach at Gulf Islands National Seashore, park ranger Becky Copeland spotted something in the sand. She unearthed a small piece of history — a beaten but intact student ID card buried below the surface.

"It was so dark and weathered, but still intact," Copeland says during an interview with CBC Radio's As It Happens.

At first, the card seemed like just another item for her collection of unusual finds such as messages in bottles. The only visible clues were the year 1969 and the name of a high school in Birmingham, Alabama.

Unfortunately, the name of the cardholder was no longer visible so Copeland assumed its owner would forever remain a mystery. But recently, while rearranging her collection, she was stunned to see the faded lettering had become legible.

The card belonged to Cathy Hamel, who graduated in 1973.

Driven to solve the mystery, Copeland posted a photo on the high school’s alumni page. It did not take long for people who knew Hamel to respond.

From Katrina’s fury to a heartfelt reunion

Hamel had moved to a small town on the Mississippi coast years before Hurricane Katrina washed away the entire community.  The night before the storm, she evacuated to house further inland, but even there the storm surge reached her in the attic. Thankfully, she made it through.

When she returned the following day, her home was completely gone — reduced to a concrete slab and a porch swing hanging from a tree. The few belongings she saved were two photo albums and some insurance papers.

But two decades later, her student ID card that had been lost to the storm resurfaced.

The beachcombing park ranger, Copeland met Hamel at the Gulf Islands National Seashore visitor center, and they embraced immediately.

Hamel called Copeland an angel, “because she did all the legwork to find me to return it."

For Hamel, the recovered ID is far more than a plastic card –  it’s a tangible reminder of resilience, loss, and the kindness of strangers.

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