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Published on Friday, January 16, 2009
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Recreation Center decked out with new Digilocks


By NICOLE SOSZYNSKI
Last updated on 00/00/0000 at 12:00 a.m.

The Student Recreation Services has added a new accessory to their lockers.
Digilock is the keypad system placed on all locker doors. A patron is required to program four numbers of their choice into it to lock it, said Dave Lochbaum, associate director of recreation services. He added that a personal key or dial lock is not needed.

When a patron wants to retrieve their items after a workout, they have to punch in the same four numbers. Each time the lock is unlocked, the last four numbers are deleted from the system’s memory, he said.
The installation began Dec. 15 and will be complete Jan. 23.

Lochbaum offered advice for patrons when using the lockers and the new system.
“The day-use-only lockers are free to use, but please remember to remove your belongings when your workout is completed,” he said.
Besides NIU, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have also installed Digilock to their lockers, Lochbaum said.

To use the new locks:
1. A patron should select a locker.

2. Before using the locker, check the keypad to see if it is blinking (lower right side of lock face).

3. If it is blinking, a code has been set; choose another locker.

4. After placing belongings in the locker, the patron should lift the handle and close the locker completely, top to bottom.

5. On the Digilock key pad, the patron should press “C”, then a four-digit code of their choice, then the “key” button. The lock will beep once and the light will begin flashing. The lock is now locked.

6. To unlock the locker, the patron will again press “C”, the four-digit code, and the “key” button. The lock will beep twice and the light will stop blinking. The locker is now unlocked and the code is erased from its memory.

7. To relock the locker, the patron should start the process over again.

Some students find the locks useful.
Senior nursing major Stephanie Urlich said she was surprised when she first saw the locks, but she eventually found them to come in handy.
“I brought a lock and it didn’t fit, so the new locks worked for me,” Urlich said.

Senior marketing major Brian Greifer said the locks are easy to use.
“I find them to be more secure because I didn’t use the other,” he said.
Lochbaum said the Digilock allows for the recreation services staff to better assist and resolve the patrons’ problems.

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