URBANA — The process to lock Uni doors and implement a prox card system, which has been delayed since September, is ready to be tested and is almost complete, according to Director Steve Epperson.

Starting today, the card security mechanism will be active at all three Uni entrances after school from 4:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. This means the doors to Uni will be locked by the system, Epperson said, and faculty and staff members can use their prox cards to enter the building during those hours.

Beginning on Monday, the administration plans to initiate a testing program that will lock the north entrance 24 hours per day for the rest of the week. The only way into that entrance will be by possessing a prox card. An exception will be during the fall play performances on the nights of Nov. 6-8, when the doors will be open for public access.

"We need to make sure all cards are working properly," said Epperson. "We’re going to use the north door and lock it down during the school day because that's a door that people don't use often. If it doesn't work, students can see Gwyn [office manager Gwyn Ortiz]."

To activate the security mechanism, cardholders will have to hold their card to the scanner and wait for the light on the reader to turn from red to green. The light will stay green for a few seconds. Prox cards can remain in wallets or purses during the scanning process.

Faculty and staff members can still use their keys to get into the building, but eventually all entrance keys will be disabled, and the only way in will be by prox card.

For the past several weeks, workers from U of I Facilities & Services have been at Uni to finish installing the system. They have added new door handles and have removed the transom windows — windows above the door entrances — to allow ventilation.

However, all three Uni entrances still cannot be locked during the school day until an intercom system is set up.

"We can't shut it down until we can identify people coming into the building," said Epperson. "Otherwise, parents and visitors won't be able to get in."

In addition to the intercom system, there are plans to set up cameras by the Uni entrances. The purpose of the cameras is to allow the Uni administration to identify people more efficiently.

However, according to Epperson, it is uncertain when an intercom system will be installed. As well, the idea to put in cameras has added more complications and been dragging out the process.

"This has taken forever," said Epperson, "and what I say is that no one, certainly not me, really wants to change the climate of Uni High. We're trying to do it so it will be as convenient as possible for students. Hopefully it'll go OK."