Columbia University Housing

Guide To Living

Guide To Living
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Keys and Locks

You may check out suite and room keys for a maximum of two hours from the Hospitality Desk upon presentation of your valid CUID. Residents will be charged $5 per day, up to three days, for unreturned keys. If the key is not returned by the end of the third day, Housing will change your lock on the fourth day. You will be billed $50 for each lock change.

If a key is broken, you may obtain a replacement, free of charge, by returning the broken key to the Hospitality Desk.

If your key is stuck in a lock, turn the key to an upright position, then pull out with one hand while pushing in the small core immediately surrounding the key. You must replace your key if the problem persists or if the key does not open the lock. Eventually your key may break off inside of the lock, requiring a lock change.

Read more about Keys and Locks in the Policy Section.

 

Ving Locks

Plastic

Broadway, East Campus, Hogan, John Jay, McBain, Schapiro Halls are equipped with Ving locks that use plastic “VingCards” as keys. To open the door, insert the key into the slot, with the word “VingCard” facing up, until the raised border meets the edge of the slot. Turn the doorknob or lever until the door opens.

 

To lock room doors in Broadway, Hogan, McBain, and Schapiro, lift the door lever with the VingCard inserted in the lock.

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Electronic with CUID
At 600 W. 113th St., 604/606 114th Street, Carman, Furnald, Harmony, 548 W 113th St., River, Ruggles, East Campus Sixth Floor, First Floor of McBain, and Wien, insert your Columbia Card with the photo in and facing up. You should then see a green light flash and hear the lock open. The lock will automatically re-engage after approximately twenty seconds. Please note that you have only three opportunities to successfully swipe your card. After that, the safety mechanism will lock you out for three minutes.

Room doors in Carman and John Jay, as well as suite doors in East Campus, Hartley, Hogan, and Wallach, lock automatically when you exit.
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Metal Key Locks

The Brownstones, 47 Claremont, Hartley, Wallach, Watt, and Woodbridge all use traditional metal keys and mechanical locks.

 

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Customer Service Center
118 Hartley Hall - (212) 854-2775

Hospitality Desk
Hartley Lobby - (212) 854-2779

General Inquiries
housing@columbia.edu