Husky Locks

Northeastern is excited to begin a new initiative in which all residence hall locks (bedrooms, suites and apartment doors) will be converted from an offline lock or key to a wireless lock within the next three years. Speare Hall has been selected as the pilot location. Residents of the building received this lock during Spring Break. Some of the new features of the wireless lock are listed below.

Residents:

Received a new Husky Card which is a smartcard. This new card requires you to tap your card at the door (instead of swiping).
Have access to the HuskyCard Center (via MyNEU/Self Service) which provides the ability to report your card lost or found, register your cell phone and set your PIN.
Have the ability to use your cell phone to open your door via Text Message.
Have the ability to use a smartphone to open your door from your mobile device.
NEVER need to visit a kiosk to update your card or change your PIN! All changes to your access are made online and are immediate.

Residents of Speare Hall should keep an eye out for upcoming emails which will provide them with ongoing updates. Housing and Residential Life and the Husky Card Office staff are ready to assist all residents and we are looking forward to your feedback as you experience this new technology and all its innovative features.

Below are a few FAQs that may assist residents through this process. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Speare Hall Residence Director, Kevin Dillon at ke.dillon@neu.edu or the Husky Card Office at huskylocks@neu.edu.

Husky Lock - FAQS

1. Why do I need a new card?
The new online locks require smartcards. These new IDs have a chip installed which will allow you access to your room by tapping the card at the door lock.

2. What is the Husky Card Center?
The Husky Card Center/Husky Card Preferences is a link on MYNEU/Self-Service in which you can manage your Husky Card preferences.

3. How do I access my room?
There are a few ways to access your rooms.

Option #1: The most common and recommended way to access your room is to use your Husky card. Just hold the card up onto to the keypad on the lock. When the red and green light flashes, you can enter your PIN followed by the # symbol. You can enter your PIN either after the lights stop flashing or during the flashing. (You must enter your PIN within 20 seconds of presenting your card at the door)

Option #2: Another way to access your room would be through your myNEU portal, go to self-service, Husky Card Preferences. You can access this site via a smartphone. Once in the Husky Card Preferences site, just select “OPEN MYDOOR” and your door will start flashing a red/green light which indicates you can enter your PIN followed by the # symbol.

Option #3: Expected in March, you will be able to download an app on your Iphone or Android mobile device which will allow you to open your door at no charge. More information about this app will be emailed to you.

Option #4: Finally, if you do not have your Husky Card or a smartphone you can text “OPEN MYDOOR” to 67513. You will receive 4 free texts (10 for the Speare Hall Pilot) for the academic year. Once you utilize the 4 free texts, you will be charged 25 cents per text which will be deducted from your Husky Dollar account. PLEASE NOTE: OPEN MYDOOR is 2 words with no space between MY and Door. If you do not have money in your Husky Dollar Account, this service will not be available to you after you use your free texts. (For information on how to add Husky Dollars, please visit our Husky Dollars page)

4. What is my PIN?
Your default PIN number will be set to your birthdate, two digits of the month, and two digits of the day (MMDD). You will always need to hit # symbol on the keypad after entering your PIN at the door.

5. Where can I change my PIN?
You can reset your PIN online at the HuskyCard Center/Husky Card Preferences site via MYNEU/Self-Service.

6. Can my PIN be less than 4 digits?
No, the minimum PIN length is 4.

7. Why does the lock flash red and green?
This flashing light is normal. When the red and green light flashes, you can enter your PIN plus #. You can enter your PIN either after the lights stop flashing or during the flashing. (You must enter your PIN within 20 seconds of presenting your card at the door)

8. Where do I get a new card if I lose mine?
If you are a Speare Hall student, you may bet a replacement card in 4 Speare Hall (basement) during regular business hours or on Saturday and Sunday 10am – 2pm at the Residence Safety Office on the first floor of Speare.

9. Where do I go if I have questions about access to my room?
Speare Hall students can stop by 4 Speare (basement) if they have any questions about access to their room.

10. What if I get locked out during the day?
Follow the same process that you do today. Once a staff member is paged, they will respond.

11. What if I get locked out in the evening or on weekends?
Follow the same process that you do today. Once a staff member is paged, they will respond.

12. What other features are available on the Husky Card Center site under Husky Card Preferences?
The Husky Card Center/Husky Card Preferences is available through MYNEU/Self Service. This site has many options for you to manage your Husky Card preferences. You can:

Report your card as lost. Once you report your card lost, it will automatically be deactivated and cannot be used anywhere on campus.
Report your card found. If you find your card after you reported it lost, you will be able to indicate it has been found and the card will automatically be reactivated.
Report your phone lost. This feature will be coming soon. If you lose your phone you can report it lost. The phone will no longer be active to use any of the Husky Card related features.
Set or Reset your PIN. You are able to set or reset your PIN in your Husky Card Center (preferences).
OPEN MYDOOR. Using a smartphone, you are able to select your door and open it from this site. However, your door will only open for 20 seconds from the time you select this option; therefore, you must be close to your door.
OPEN MYSUITE. If you live in an apartment, OPEN MYSUITE will open your apartment door and OPEN MYDOOR will open your bedroom door. When the red and green light flashes, you can enter your PIN plus #. You can enter your PIN either after the lights stop flashing or during the flashing. (You must enter your PIN within 20 seconds of presenting your card at the door)
Notification Preferences. This feature allows you to register your phone. You will need to register your phone if you intend to use the texting functionality for opening your door. Also, coming soon, you will be able to choose notification emails/texts for such things as getting notified if a Residential life or Facilities staff person enters your room.

13. Where do I go to register my phone?
Go to myNEU, self-service, Husky Card Center/Husky Card Preferences. Once you enter that page Select Notification Preferences or Settings.

14. How many phones can I register?
ONLY ONE

For further questions please email huskylocks@neu.edu.

Contact: Northeastern University Housing & Residential Life, 4 Speare Commons, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115