Pioneer Hall Turnstiles Frequently Asked Questions

The access to go through the turnstile is given in the same way as access to the building. 

• All Pioneer residents will be authorized to enter.
• All students with a Residential Meal Plan will be authorized to enter when the Pioneer Dining Hall is open.
• Authorized University of Minnesota staff will also be able to go through the turnstile.

When a person wants to go through the gate, they will tap their U Card on the sensor. The gate will stay open until the sensor confirms entry. It will then close as the turnstile will only allow one individual to enter the gate per tap.

The turnstiles are fully accessible and comply with ADA requirements. The Information Desk staff can also open the gate for authorized individuals or provide assistance.

Residents and meal plan holders must escort their guests through the turnstiles and at all times while inside the building. When entering the building together, the resident/meal plan holder should tap their U Card on the sensor for each guest to go through the turnstile first. They will then tap their U Card on the sensor to enter themselves.

The Information Desk will confirm you are authorized to enter Pioneer Hall and open the gate for you for up to three (3) business days until you get a new U Card.

Important! Your U Card could be used by others to enter the building until it has been deactivated, so deactivate your U Card immediately if it is lost or stolen. You will then need to get a replacement U Card.

Please note: If you received a replacement U Card, it will take four (4) hours for the new card to become active in the university building access system. The Information Desk will be able to confirm you are authorized to enter Pioneer Hall and open the gate for you during that time.

No, Pioneer residents must go to the lobby to accept food deliveries in person. They cannot be left at the Information Desk, and delivery people will not be allowed through the turnstile. 

The Pioneer Hall Information Desk staff can confirm that you are authorized to access the building and open the gate for you.

Each gate is programmed to allow entry or exit. Generally, those entering/exiting the building should use the turnstile on the right or center, similar to how vehicular traffic operates in the United States. 

As each person approaches the interior of the gate, it will open long enough for each person to exit. A U Card tap is not needed to exit. 

The turnstiles are connected to the emergency evacuation system for the building. The gates will automatically open and remain open to allow people to exit if the building is being evacuated

Please bring your U Card with you if you can easily access it, but do not delay evacuating the building to get it (for example, if you would need to go back to your room or search for it).

Each authorized individual will tap themselves (and any guests) back into the building when the evacuation is done, and the Information Desk will assist authorized individuals if they do not have their U Card.

The live feed monitors increase transparency that people are being monitored in the public areas of the building (lobby, technology lounge, laundry room, etc.). The University is considering whether to install live feed monitors in other buildings in the future.  

The dining hall for the Superblock is located in Pioneer Hall. This results in Pioneer Hall having the highest number of people going in and out of it, so it was selected as the University looked at safety enhancements for residence halls.

All housing facilities have a number of security measures in place. The University will evaluate the safety enhancements in Pioneer and consider enhancements in other buildings. As plans are developed, Housing & Residential Life will communicate with residents, and we will post updates on the Safety Information & Protocols webpage.