The Door Access Technology section of the Community Safety Department is responsible for access control technology at York University.
If you have any questions about access control on campus please see the FAQ below. If you cannot find what you are looking for, you can contact us at doorcard@yorku.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few reasons why your access card might not work, please see below:
If your card is obviously cracked or is otherwise compromised (you've punched a hole in it) you will have to get a replacement card.
To get a replacement YU Card please visit: yorku.ca/yucard/
To get a replacement HID card, contact your local key coordinator who will put in a request to get you a new card. Your key coordinator will then contact doorcard@yorku.ca to advise about your new card, provide them with:
- The damaged card's number (if you have it)
- The new card's number
- The cardholders first and last name
- the card holders employee/student number
- York U email.
YU Cards
YU Cards can only be used on Black Board readers. As shown above, a Black Board reader can be distinguished by the hand holding a card graphic and the "Bb" at the bottom of the reader.
Please note:
- The Bb should be lit blue.
- When you present your card to the reader a green light should be seen at the top of the reader if your card is programmed for that door and you should be granted access.
- If the reader flashes red, you do not have access to that door.
- There is also an audible "beep" when you present your card to the reader.
- If there are no lights, the reader may not have power.
- If after presenting your card the reader does not beep, there may be an issue with either the card or the reader.
HID Cards
HID Cards can only be used on the plain black readers. There are a few different size and shapes of them on campus, but they are all the same in that they are all black and will have either a red or a green light.
Please Note:
- When you present your card the light will flash green if you have access to that door.
- If it flashes red, you have not been granted access.
- There is also an audible "beep" when you present your card to the reader.
- If there are no lights, the reader may not have power.
- If after presenting your card the reader does not beep, there may be an issue with either the card or the reader.
- Try touching your card to the reader - Readers typically have a range of a few centimeters but due to the condition of the card or the reader, the card may need to be closer
- Hold your card on the reader for five seconds - Readers should be pretty quick registering the card but in some circumstances it may need a couple of seconds.
- Are you at the correct card reader? YU Cards should be used at readers that have a "BB" written on them. HID cards should be used on plain black readers. (see Are you using the right card at the right reader? )
- Is your card in a case? Next to other cards? If so, remove it from the case and try the reader again with just the card.
If none of the options above work go to Does it work at other doors?
If the reader flashes green and there is no accompanying "click" noise (the latch releasing) there may be an issue with the hardware.
If you know you have access, and believe that it is a hardware issue, contact York U Security Services (416-650-8000) to request that they provide you access to the space.
If you experience an issue with door hardware not functioning, please contact your manager to advise them of the incident.
If your card is working on some doors but not others there may be an issue with the door hardware, contact doorcard@yorku.ca to advise of the malfunction. Conversely, you may not have authorization to access those doors. If you believe that is the case, contact your manager to inquire about your access.
If you know you have access, and believe that it is a hardware issue, contact York U Security Services to request that they provide you access to the space. Also, contact your manager to advise them of the incident.
If, after answering the above questions, you are still experiencing trouble with your access card or a reader, please fill out this form to contact Door Card.
A lost or stolen card should be reported immediately to security services to be deactivated. If you have lost your access card (or you believe it was stolen):
- File a report with Security Services. They can be reached at 416-650-8000 (24/7)- Security will provide you with an incident report number.
- Contact doorcard@yorku.ca to advise them that your card has been lost/stolen.
- Doorcard will disable your lost/stolen card
- Once you obtain a replacement card contact doorcard@yorku.ca to request activation of your new card.
Lost or stolen cards will not be replaced without a Security Services incident report number.
To get a replacement HID card, contact your local key coordinator who will put in a request to get you a new card. Your key coordinator will then contact doorcard@yorku.ca to advise about your new card, provide them with:
- The damaged card's number (if you have it)
- The new card's number
- The cardholders first and last name
- The card holders employee/student number
- York U email.
For YU Cards please visit yorku.ca/yucard for information.
In addition to being York University's primary access card, it is also your official photo identification and can be used as a debit card!
It's the one card you need to access key services such as the Library, recreation facilities, exams, food, meal plans, shopping, events, discounts and more. Load up your YU-card and use it as a debit card at 200 points of sale across campus, plus select off-campus merchants, to save time and money - perfect for being on the go.
For more information visit: yorku.ca/yucard/