Building Access Policy

Access to the Foundation Building and 41 Cooper Square is only allowed during posted building hours.

BUILDING ACCESS POLICY

Students, Faculty and Staff

Students, faculty and staff seeking entry to our academic buildings (41 Cooper Square and The Foundation Building (7 East 7th Street) must swipe in with a current Cooper Union ID card at the security desk in each building. To swipe in, tap your ID card on the card reader at the desk. If you have forgotten or lost your ID card, you will be able to request a temporary day pass at the Splan kiosk located in each lobby.  The pass will print at the security desk and can be obtained after the security officer verifies your identity.  The temporary pass will only be valid for 1 day and can be used to swipe in at both 41 Cooper and Foundation.  After 5 requests for a temporary pass, you will be required to request a replacement ID card.  Replacement ID cards can be obtained by completing the Lost ID Form and emailing it to security@cooper.edu.

Regular Semester Building Hours (41 Cooper Square and Foundation)

Monday through Friday                       7:30am to 12:00am

Saturday                                              9:00am to 9:00pm

Sunday                                                 9:00am to 9:00pm

 

Visitors

All guests will be required to register at the self-service kiosk, located in each lobby.  Faculty and staff may pre-register their guests online in advance at the following location - Splan.  After checking in at the kiosk, a guest pass will print at the security desk, and the visitor will need to show a government-issued ID to security to receive their pass.  The pass will allow the guest to swipe in at both 41 Cooper and Foundation.  The host will receive a notification that the visitor / guest has arrived.  All passes will only be active for the day.

 

A guest who is attending a public event on campus must register at the kiosk and receive a visitor pass.  The pass will only be active for the time that the event is taking place.

Student Guest Policy (Academic Buildings)

Students are permitted to have guests on campus between the hours of 9:00am to 10:00pm on weekdays, and from 9:00am to 9:00pm on weekends.  Students must accompany their guests during check-in and register them at the kiosk upon arrival. A guest pass will print at the security desk, and the visitor will need to show a government-issued ID to security to receive their pass.  The pass will allow the guest to swipe in at both 41 Cooper and Foundation.  Student guests must be with their hosts at all times. All passes will only be active for the day. No guests are permitted during the 24-hour study period.

 

Any exception to the student guest policy must be approved by the dean’s office.

 

 

Alumni Access

 

  1. Alumni can enter campus by registering at the kiosk and will have access to the following areas on campus: 

 

  • Library in the Foundation Building only during posted hours that the library is open. https://library.cooper.edu/weekly-hours/
  • 41 Cooper Square during regular business hours.  Access is limited to the Alumni Roof Terrace, when open, and any other public areas. 

September 1st through May 31st 

Monday – Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm 

June 1st through August 31st 

Monday – Thursday 10:00am to 5:00pm 

 

  1. Alumni are always welcome at public events held on campus. 
  2. If Alumni is requesting access outside of these hours, permission must be obtained from a current faculty or staff member, who can pre-register them on-line.
  3. An Alumni is not permitted to bring any guests on campus without approval of the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development. 
  4. Campus access privileges may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the Director of Campus Safety and Security. 
  5. You may request an Alumni ID card from the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development at alumni@cooper.edu.   

 

Retiree Access

  1. In addition to the public spaces open on campus retirees have access to the following areas:
  • The library in the Foundation Building, except during extended hours at the end of each semester
  • The Alumni Roof Terrace in 41 Cooper Square, during the following hours:

September 1st through May 31st 

Monday – Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm 

June 1st through August 31st 

Monday – Thursday 10:00am to 5:00pm 

 

  1. For access outside of these hours, the retiree will need to be registered as a guest by a current faculty or staff member.
  2. Retirees are not permitted to bring any guests on campus without approval.
  3. A list of current retirees is maintained at the security desk in each building. Upon arrival, retirees should provide state-issued ID to the security officer who will verify their status.
  4. Campus access privileges may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the Director of Campus Safety and Security.

 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.