International House at UC Berkeley
Key Metrics
93% Reduction in Lockouts: The average number of daily lockouts decreased from 15 to just 1, significantly improving both the student experience and staff efficiency.
Streamlined Access with a Single Key: Verkada’s system replaced the need for multiple keys with a single card, simplifying access to rooms, restrooms, and common areas.
40% Reduction in Time Spent on Access Management via API Automation: Automating access control through Verkada’s open APIs has reduced the time spent managing keys and troubleshooting lockouts by 40%, with real-time data syncing ensuring smooth operation without manual intervention.
Background
International House (I-House) at UC Berkeley, founded in 1930 with a charitable gift from John D. Rockefeller, Jr., is a multicultural residential center that fosters cross-cultural respect and understanding. Designed by American architect George W. Kellam, the historic building serves as a living and learning environment for over 600 UC Berkeley students and scholars from more than 80 countries.
While preserving its rich history, I-House sought to modernize its operations to meet the needs of today’s global student body without compromising its cultural and architectural heritage.
The Challenge
As I-House approached its centennial, the legacy access control system became a pressing challenge. The system relied on plastic cards that were not synced in real-time, leading to frequent lockouts if the duration of a student’s stay changed, and requiring manual reprogramming. Additionally, students had to carry multiple physical keys for different areas of the building, adding unnecessary complexity to their daily routines.
Luis Escamilla, Vice President of Administrative Services at I-House, explained, "We had to take a beautiful, historic building and make it functional for the modern world. Students needed to be able to check into their rooms without waiting for staff, especially those arriving from international flights late at night."
The Solution
To address these challenges, I-House selected Verkada’s cloud-based access control system to streamline its operations without compromising the building’s historical integrity. The new system replaced the need for multiple keys with a single RFID card, enabling seamless and customizable access to the areas each student would need—from front entrances to dorm rooms and restrooms. Verkada’s integration with ASSA ABLOY wireless locks allowed for easy adoption of the new system without extensive rewiring. This integration helps I-House maintain the aesthetics of its historic doors, while upgrading its security infrastructure with wireless locks that connect directly to the Verkada platform.
Partnering with AMS, a trusted Verkada reseller, was a key factor in the smooth transition to the new access control system. AMS’s expertise helped ensure the installation was respectful of I-House’s architectural requirements and completed without disrupting the existing structure. Their technical proficiency and attentive project management helped expedite the integration process, maintaining project timelines and quality standards.
"Now, students can check into their rooms at any time without waiting for staff, and they only need one key for everything. Plus, the system syncs in real-time with our CRM, so if someone extends their stay, it automatically updates their access without any manual intervention,” Escamilla noted, “The Verkada Pass app provides them with a stress-free arrival experience, especially after long international flights.”
Pairing Verkada Access Control with Guest, I-House implemented a fully automated self-check-in process, ideal for international students who may arrive at odd hours. Pre-registered through the system, students can now access their rooms immediately upon arrival using their smartphones, reducing the need for overnight staff.
Key Benefits
Streamlined Self Check-In for International Students
International students often face long, unpredictable travel schedules. In the past, I-House staff had to stay up all night waiting for late-arriving students, manually handing out keys and guiding them through the check-in process. This was resource-intensive and challenging for both students and staff.
Luis Escamilla, Vice President of Administrative Services at I-House, explains: "In the past, we used to have staff on duty all night, waiting for maybe one or two students to arrive. They would check passports, hand out keys, and guide them to their rooms. Now, we’ve modernized the process completely. We record a video showing the path from the entrance to their rooms, and students can download the Verkada Pass app before they even arrive. They no longer need to give us flight details, which often change anyway. With the Verkada app, they simply open the doors with their phone and let themselves in."
This modern self-check-in process, akin to that of hotels and cruise ships, allows students to arrive and access their rooms at any time of day or night, without needing assistance from staff.
"It’s been incredibly convenient for students, especially after long flights. And it’s improved our operations—no more staff staying up 24/7, which was challenging for their health and well-being. Now, if a flight is delayed or students want to explore the city before checking in, they can let themselves in whenever they’re ready."
93% Reduction in Lockouts
“Now, students only need one key for everything, and the system ensures their access is always up to date,” said Escamilla. “It has significantly improved the student experience and reduced the burden on staff.”
Before implementing Verkada, I-House experienced up to 15 daily lockouts due to the outdated access system. Students had to keep track of multiple keys for rooms, restrooms, and building access, resulting in frequent issues. Verkada’s simplified system reduced the number of daily lockouts to just one by consolidating access into a single card.
"We also developed a self-service lock out kiosk. When a resident leaves their plastic card and their phone inside their room, they visit the kiosk near the elevator on their floor. They enter their last name, their room number and secret PIN-Code they set-up through our CRM portal. If all fields are validated against our records, then through API integration, the kiosk unlocks the door remotely for five minutes. This allows for the resident to walk back to their room and enter their room to retrieve their keycard and phone. No longer the resident needs to visit the front desk, or call an RA on-duty to open the door for them."
40% Reduction in Access Management Tasks via API Automation
By leveraging Verkada's open APIs, I-House has significantly reduced the time staff spend managing keys and troubleshooting lockouts. The API-driven system syncs real-time data from their ERP and CRM, allowing for seamless, automatic updates to student access without the need for manual intervention. This automation enables dynamic reconfiguration of access rights—such as extending a student's stay or reassigning room access—without requiring staff to physically reprogram locks or issue new cards.
“The system handles the day-to-day access management tasks, giving our staff more time to focus on critical responsibilities,” explained Escamilla. "This has streamlined operations across the facility, allowing for more efficient and secure access control."
Blending Historic Elements with Contemporary Technology
Verkada’s hardware and technology were carefully integrated into I-House’s existing architecture, ensuring that the building’s historical character remained intact. This includes preserving original elements like their antique mailboxes, which remain in use while delivery management has been modernized through the Mailroom app. The app simplifies the task of logging and tracking incoming shipments, making it easier for staff to keep track of deliveries and quickly notifying students when their packages arrive—without the need for additional equipment to be installed.
“The mailroom now functions more efficiently without compromising its historic charm. We can manage incoming mail through the Verkada system while still maintaining the original combination mailboxes,” said Escamilla. “Similarly, Verkada’s hardware blends with the building’s aesthetic, ensuring we preserve its architectural integrity.”
API-Driven Access Customization
Verkada’s platform integrates seamlessly with I-House’s internal systems through APIs, allowing for automated configuration of access rights. “We no longer have to manually configure access for hundreds of students. The system handles it automatically, ensuring everyone has appropriate access to the right areas,” said Escamilla.
The system can accommodate specific needs, such as assigning ADA-compliant restrooms on a temporary or permanent basis. This allows students requiring specific accommodations—like those recovering from an injury—to have exclusive access to certain facilities, which are then released back to general use when no longer needed.
“What used to take hours of manual input and verification now happens overnight through the API,” Escamilla added. “The system is always up to date, reducing the workload for our team and letting us focus more on fostering a welcoming environment for our residents.”
The Result
Since implementing Verkada’s access control and Guest solutions, I-House has experienced significant improvements in both security and operational efficiency. The system has enhanced the student experience, reduced the administrative burden on staff, and allowed I-House to remain focused on its mission of fostering cross-cultural understanding.
"It's so important for our alumni and residents that we preserve the unique historical charm of I-House while adapting to the needs of today's global community," said Margie Ryan, Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. "Verkada has helped us find that balance between maintaining our rich heritage and embracing modern innovation."
Looking Forward
As I-House moves toward its centennial, there are plans to further expand Verkada’s solutions, including potential integration with dining facilities and broader campus security measures. This approach demonstrates how even the most historic institutions can modernize without losing their unique character.