The University of Michigan-Flint has implemented MCard swipe-only access at the William S. White Building, amid safety concerns as of the fall 2025 semester.
The William S. White Building — which is home to the College of Health Sciences — now requires swipe access entry from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The change was approved by the Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance department, with support from the former Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Donna Fry.
On Aug. 26, 2025, an unhoused individual entered the building and approached a student. During the encounter, the individual had kissed the student’s hand. The individual had also entered a classroom while a class was in session. Department of Public Safety officers had responded to the scene and escorted the individual from the building, making an arrest based on outstanding warrants.
Sarah Vanisacker, a physical therapy major, said she had been in the classroom at the time. “The change to swipe access was much safer and much better — not everyone can just walk in,” Vanisacker said.
Myles Hudkins, a parent at Early Childhood Development Center housed in the building, said he initially hadn’t paid attention to the building being open access, as internal ECDC doors were locked, and that transition has been an adjustment.
“The transition to locked exterior doors and swipe access was a change for families, and it can be challenging at times,” Hudkins said. “Especially when managing children, car seats, bags, and school materials, but I do appreciate the added layer of protection.”
The Building Hours Committee meets three times a year to evaluate security protocols and environmental safety measures.
UM-Flint has also established a Campus Electronic Security Advisory Committee that includes representatives from Information Technology Services, Facilities and Operations, the Dean of the College of Innovation and Technology, Christopher Pearson and student government.
The group helps guide security policy development and oversight, security system evaluations, threat assessments, collaboration with university departments, security incident reviews, safety advocacy and safety training.
“The intent is to always ensure we have a truly welcoming and inclusive campus environment while balancing safety needs,” Ray Hall, director at the Department of Public Safety at UM-Flint, said.
By the end of the summer, the university will transition from traditional swipe identification cards to proximity-based MCards, with future plans of enabling MCard functionality on smartphones as well. As the university transitions to proximity-based MCards, campus members will need to update their MCards accordingly.
