Improving safety across our campus

These changes are designed to modernise campus and keep our community safe from crime and anti-social behaviour. 

They will also improve how we respond to emergency situations, in line with the new Martyn’s Law (Terrorism Protection of Premises legislation).

Introduction of mandatory wearing of University cards

You will need to use your University card to navigate the campus day-to-day, and you should wear your University card, either on a lanyard or belt clip, as routine while on University premises.

What is changing 

Our University is a large campus and historically we have had open access to many of our buildings, including key walkways through the centre of buildings such as Derwent and Vanburgh.

Whilst incidents on campus are rare, having buildings open to others beyond our University community can increase the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour. It also makes it challenging to manage emergency situations, for example, because it may not be possible for our campus safety team to quickly identify who is present in a building.  

To help address this, the University is introducing:

• Card-based access to entrances to buildings across campus, which can be accessed with existing staff and student University cards
• A new mandatory requirement that all staff and student cards are routinely worn while on University premises. University cards will need to display a clear photograph. University cards and lanyards are provided. 

We will work closely with colleagues and students to ensure all accessibility needs are fully addressed. 

For staff, please see the University Staff card guidance for more information. 

What you need to do

All University cards will automatically be updated from September 2026, so you do not need to do anything to request special access. 

Many staff and students already use their cards to access services (eg printing) or to enter key buildings like the Library. Over the next year, as we roll this out, you will find that you need to use your University card to access more areas of campus: eventually all buildings (with the exception of reception areas where applicable) will be card-access only.

• You are welcome to use any lanyard to display your card, but if you do not have one, please collect one from the Ron Cooke Hub on Campus East or the Information Centre on Campus West.
• If you have lost your staff or student card, or your existing card does not include your photograph, you can request a replacement (see links below). Please arrange to renew or update your card at your earliest convenience, but we recognise this is an exceptionally busy time for the Unicard team, so we appreciate your patience as we prioritise and process requests as quickly as possible.
  • Information for students - replacing a lost University card
  • Information for staff - requesting a replacement card
  • Any other University card queries - email unicard@york.ac.uk

If you have forgotten your staff or student card, temporary cards can be collected from Ron Cooke Hub on Campus East or the Information Centre on Campus West - both are open 7am to 11pm, seven days a week. If you lock yourself out of your campus accommodation after 11pm, call Campus Safety (01904 324444) and they will meet you at your accommodation and provide access.

Staff and students should not tailgate through doors, or allow anyone else to do so. 

Public and specialist access, deliveries and external visitors

• We will preserve existing limited access to specialist/secure facilities/corridors, for example, research laboratories. Access to these areas will continue to be granted as normal through Department protocols.
• We recognise the value of maintaining an open, welcoming campus. Clear exceptions will be made for buildings requiring public entry, such as the cafes and designated retail spaces, as well as for planned public access during exhibition and events. Exceptions will be authorised by the Director for Facilities Management and Commercial Services.
• If you work in a building without a staffed reception area, any external visitors will need to wait at the building entrance for you to greet them, as they will be unable to access the building without a card. 
• For time-critical deliveries, for example, Departments receiving specialist equipment, we advise you to  make arrangements to enable access or contact the Mail Room to discuss requirements.

For queries or further guidance, please visit the University Card web pages.