Managed-access for Our Campus Facilities

Beginning Monday, September 8, 2025, we will lock the majority of buildings on both campuses during all hours, including daytime hours. Russell Sage has two great campuses in Albany and Troy, but because they’re a seamless part of the community, the community sometimes forgets our buildings are not public buildings, and that creates potential security risks.

How do you get in?: Many of our highly trafficked buildings have fob access. A fob is a small plastic disc you scan at the door that’s been programmed for you. Students who live on campus or use the Nursing Sim Lab, for example, are familiar with fobs because we use them in the residence halls and some labs and other spaces.

In the past, you haven’t had to use a fob for every fob-accessible building during the day, like Buchman Pavilion in Troy. Now you will. 

What if there’s no fob scanner on a building? For most buildings without fobs, we’re going to limit the number of doors accessible from the outside to just the main entrance. You can still use all doors to exit. In academic buildings, 30 minutes into the last scheduled class of the day, all doors will be locked. You’ll need to call Public Safety to gain access at 518-244-3177.

When we say “majority of our buildings” … It means pretty much everything on the Troy campus and everything in Albany except the Armory and KCC, where we’ll be limiting the number of unlocked doors.

How do I get a fob? This new way of operating won’t start until Monday, September 8, to give you time to get situated if you do not have a fob:

  • Students who live on campus: You have one already – you’re good. 
  • Students who commute: You may or may not already have a fob. Some of you have already gotten them or will get them shortly from your academic majors (common with Nursing, Art + Design, Physical and Occupational Therapy, etc.) If you don’t, head to the library on either campus and they can help you.
  • Employees: Some of you may have fobs already, others may not. If you don’t, head to the library on either campus to get your fob and then head to Public Safety in Troy or email publicsafety@sage.edu to have it programmed.

Obligatory safety reminder: Our mother taught us to always hold the door open for the person behind us. Those days are over, mama. If you recognize the people behind you, or if you see them about to take their fob out to scan, feel free to be polite. Otherwise, be cautious about building access, and please do not prop doors open for any reason.

Buildings and grounds are patrolled regularly by Public Safety Officers. They are assisted by employees of the Department of Physical Plant, who are particularly vigilant for hazardous conditions or facilities.

Residence Halls are also staffed and patrolled by a staff of highly trained professionals and student assistants, who are linked by radio to Public Safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Russell Sage has two great campuses in Albany and Troy, but because they’re a seamless part of the community, the community sometimes forgets our buildings are not public buildings. This change helps you, your stuff, and all the college’s stuff stay secure. 

The K-12 system has managed access to its learning environment for many years. This change helps us as a college better align with the needs of today.

It’s time to get a new one. We will not charge a fee for fob replacement at this time.

If you live on campus, you were provided one by Residence Life when you moved in. Many students are also provided fobs by their academic departments when the facilities they’ll be using require fob access. Some employees received them on their first day of work.  If you don’t have a fob:

Students:

To get a fob, stop by the libraries on either campus during operating hours.

Employees:

Stop by the libraries on either campus during operating hours. 

Once you have your fob, you will have to stop by the Public Safety office on the first floor of the John Paine Building in Troy to have it programmed or email publicsafety@sage.edu.

Stop by Public Safety on the first floor of the John Paine Building in Troy or email publicsafety@sage.edu, and they can make updates to your access permissions where needed.

We will be changing access to all of our buildings on both campuses. In Troy, fob accessible buildings will only be accessible by using your fob. Buildings without fobs will have single points of entry and will lock entirely 30 minutes into the start of the last scheduled class in the building if it’s a learning space.

In Albany, KCC and the Armory will have fewer entry points, but will not require fob access.

We will post signage directing visitors who are not escorted by a member of our campus community to call Public Safety for access.

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