College announces additional $500,000 in campus upgrades for residence hall security

SHREVEPORT, La. (Centenary News Service) - Centenary College announced today the utilization of a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to upgrade and modernize access to residence halls across campus. The College received $500,000 as part of the Community Oriented Policing Technology Grant which provides funds to use for advances in technology to improve campus security.

alt text

The grant will enable the College to replace traditional door locks and keys at residence halls with a more sophisticated access control system, or "swipe card." Centenary will install the system over the summer and fall, with the new system fully functional in time for the Spring 2012 semester. This initiative serves as an important first step in the process of moving toward a one-card solution for campus-wide card access and debit card-style purchasing for dining services and Bookstore purchases.

"We are excited about the card-access system coming online soon," said Rev. Betsy Eaves, Vice President for Student Development. "This is something that students have been asking about for a long time which will allow us to better manage access to our residence halls. When you add this to the $5 million in other campus improvements, it really bolsters the renewal happening right now at Centenary."

The $500,000 grant is the latest in a series of improvements on the Centenary College campus. On April 20, Centenary announced a $5 million reinvestment in the College infrastructure dedicated to several vital projects that will enhance the campus's physical plant and address other pressing needs. Some of those projects include $1 million in upgrades to Mickle Hall, improvements to residence halls and parking lots, the completion of the sidewalk loop encircling the campus, and the replacement of heating and cooling equipment.

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and has been recognized as "One of the Best 373 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.