Frequently Asked Questions - College of Chemistry Building Access

College of Chemistry Building Access

Campanile & Latimer Hall at night. Photo Keegan Houser

Where is the application on the CoC web site?

On any page, select Quick Links on the right side of the header. On the opened menu, click Building Access. You will be taken directly to the Building Management webpage where the login link resides. You can also click on Admin & Support and select Building Access Information. It will also take you to the Building Management page.

How do I report a problem?

Please contact John Borland at jborland@berkeley.edu for all technical issues.

I am new to the College of Chemistry. How do I get access to the buildings and my office and/or laboratory?

If you already have a CalNet ID, log into the application (BUILDING ACCESS), complete the required fields, and “Submit.” You will receive an email confirmation of the submission and your PI, Supervisor or group delegate will be asked to approve your access and appointment information. You will also receive an email upon approval or denial of your request. Once approved, you will need to go to the CoC Building Management Office in 119 Gilman to pick up any physical keys. Please read Key Policy for hours of business and deposit requirements.

If you are a first year graduate student in the departments of Chemistry or Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, then your record will have already been added to our system. You will be placed under your Departmental Chair until you join a research group.

If you do not have a CalNet ID,please got to https://calnetweb.berkeley.edu/calnet-me/manage-my-calnet-account to learn if you qualify for a CalNet ID and how to obtain one. A CalNet ID is required to gain access to the College facilities.

I was once in the College of Chemistry but had given up my keys and access when I left. I am now returning to the College of Chemistry. How do I reinstate my access?

If your employee ID and/or email address are still the same, your old record will be retrieved when you log into the application (BUILDING ACCESS). Once in the system, please update your information and add your current appointment. After submission, you will receive an email confirmation and your PI, Supervisor or group delegate will be asked to approve your access and appointment information. You will also receive an email upon approval or denial of your request. Once approved, you will need to go to the CoC Building Management Office in 119 Gilman to pick up any physical keys. Please read the Key Policy for hours of business and deposit requirements.

If your employee ID and email address are not the same, then you will need to apply as if you were new to the College of Chemistry (see question above).

I am not part of the College of Chemistry but I want to use some of the College’s research facilities (such as NMR or Molecular Graphics). How do I get access?

Check the Research Facilities web site  and look up the process to gain access to the facility you want to use.  Any electronic access has to be approved and requested by the facility manager.

I am not part of the College of Chemistry but there’s agreement with my PI to use College facilities. How do I get access?

Please follow the step outlined in the question "I am new to the College of Chemistry...". In the appointment section, if you cannot find your PI's name in the drop down list, then you cannot proceed. You can contact chemrecharge@berkeley.edu to check if an account is in the process of being created. If the name of your PI is on the list but after submitting you get an error message stating that a valid PI cannot be found, that means that your PI's information might be incomplete. Please contact  John Borland at jborland@berkeley.edu to resolve the issue.

How do I obtain additional building access and/or keys once I already have access?

Please contact your supervisor, PI or delegate. This person will create a request for you. Then, you will need to go to the CoC Building Management Office in 119 Gilman to pick up any physical keys. Please read Key Policy for hours of business and deposit requirements.

How do I request additional keys for somebody else?

As a PI/Supervisor/Delegate, you can request keys for another person, even if the person is not part of your group/unit.

If the person is already in the System, select "Find a Person." Query the System for the person you are looking for and click "View" to open the record. Under "Request Additional Keys," select the location for additional access. After changes are saved, a confirmation email will be sent to the person and Building Management.

If the person is not yet in the System, then the person must follow the step outlined in the question "I am new to the College of Chemistry..."

Do I need to update My Record in the Building Access system if I have a new Campus Cal1 card?

Yes, you will need update your record in the system since access is contingent upon each person's unique proximity number that is read by the door controllers. Log into the application (BUILDING ACCESS), go to "My Record," and update the Cal1 and proximity number (usually the first set of 5 or 6 digits). Once Updated, an email will alert Building Management to the new proximity number.

What do I do if I receive an email asking me to review a request?

If you are a supervisor, PI or delegate for a research group or administrative unit, you will receive requests from new personnel and existing personnel with updates. Log into the application (BUILDING ACCESS) and you will be taken to the requests page. Review each request and make any necessary edits to approve, or you may deny the request entirely. If you are denying the request, please include a comment for the reason. The requester will receive a message about your decision either way. Upon approval, Building Management will receive electronic notification to dispense any requested keys and set electronic card access.

If you are not the supervisor, PI or delegate for that person, then check that your own record and appointments are up to date. You can deny the request if you believe that the person has selected the wrong research group or administrative unit. Report any problems to John Borland at jborland@berkeley.edu.

What do I do about somebody who has left but still shows under my group/unit?

If you are a PI/Supervisor/Delegate, you can end an appointment for a person who has left your group/unit. Log into the application (BUILDING ACCESS) and select "My Group/Unit." Click the "View" button for the individual. On the current record page, under Appointments, click the End button for the appointment you want to end. Fill in the end date and the comment field, then Confirm your action. The person will still be active in the System but will not be associated with your group/unit anymore. A confirmation email will be sent to you, Building Management, and the individual.

How do I add somebody who is part of my group/unit but does not show up under “My Group/Unit?”

If you are a PI/Supervisor/Delegate, you can add the person to your group/unit. Log into the application (BUILDING ACCESS) and select "Find a Person" on the main page. Query the system for the person you are looking for. If the person's name is listed, click "View" to open the record. On the current record page, under Appointments, click "Add a new Appt". On the appointment page, fill the required fields and click the Add button. You will then be able to request additional keys and/or access for the individual, if necessary, on the Current Record page. A confirmation email will be sent to you, Building Management, and the individual.

If the person's name is not listed, then the person is not in the System and will need to follow the steps in the question "I am new to the College of Chemistry."

How do I get access to the storeroom?

If you are already affiliated with the College of Chemistry, log into the application (BUILDING ACCESS) and go to "My Record." You will see that you either already have Storeroom access or there is a box for you to select yes to "Do you need stockroom access?" Click Update to save your changes. An email will be sent to your PI/Supervisor/Delegate requesting approval. Upon approval, you will receive an email with instructions and a form to complete before taking the mandatory tour of the Storeroom with the Storeroom Manager who will then grant you access. A confirmation email will be sent to you and your PI/Supervisor/Delegate.

If you are not affiliated with the College of Chemistry, you will need a paper Interdepartmental Order/Charge (formerly IOC form) that you will present to the Storeroom Manager during regular business hours to establish access. For customers who would like to use the storeroom on a regular basis, please contact chemrecharge@berkeley.edu with the name and department of the PI to be recharged as well as a valid chart string (and speedtype if available). Once the recharge information is added to our system, users can request storeroom access using the Building Access application.

How do I know what access/keys my group/unit currently has?

If you are a PI/Supervisor/Delegate, you can check what access/keys your group and unit members have under "My Unit/Group." You can check individual records by clicking on the "View" button. The list also displays who has Storeroom access.

How do I set my default speedtype for Storeroom and/or cylinder checkout?

Go to "My Record." If you have no updates to make to the first page, click "Continue," which will take you to the appointment records. For each appointment, a Default Speedtype can be entered. Click "Update" to save. Your PI/Supervisor/Delegate will receive an email asking for approval of the update. Once approved, your default speedtype will be set.

How do I check the default speedtype for people in my group/unit?

Select "My Unit/Group." The list of group/unit members displays the current default speedtype. You can change or add a Default Speedtype by clicking "View" for a specific record and updating the Default Speedtype field under the appointment. Click "Update" to save any changes.

I am leaving the College of Chemistry. How do I get back my key deposit?

All keys should be returned to Building Management prior to your appointment being ended in the System (See Key Policy). Once the keys are returned, Building Management will return your key deposit and update the access in the System. Alternatively, a police report has to be completed for all non-returned keys.

How is incorrect information in the College of Chemistry directory updated?

Log into the application (BUILDING ACCESS) and then you may update the information for yourself by going to "My Record." If you are a PI/Supervisor/Delegate, you can update the record of person in your group/unit. Select "My Group/Unit" and "View" to open the record of the person to update the necessary information. Save the changes. A confirmation email will be sent to you and your PI/Supervisor/Delegate.

My question is not on the FAQs?

Please contact  John Borland at jborland@berkeley.edu if you have any questions or comments.