Brown maintains policies for access to Brown-operated buildings with the goal of balancing security requirements with the need for members of the Brown community, as well as alumni and other visitors, to make use of the campus. Please use this page as an ongoing resource for up-to-date information about building access controls.

Brown ID/Swipe Cards Generally Required

Most Brown University buildings require card access (note the exceptions below). They are accessible to students, faculty and staff with the appropriate Brown ID access permissions, as well as invited or authorized guests who are granted access in connection with an approved University purpose. 

Members of the Brown community should carry their Brown ID while on campus to help ensure they can access the buildings and facilities they need, including at designated entrances where card access is required. 

Units hosting guests, meetings or events are responsible for making appropriate arrangements for access to the relevant facilities. Visitors may access buildings appropriate to the purpose of their visit, as Brown welcomes visitors to campus for a wide range of purposes. These include prospective students and families, invited guests attending meetings, speakers and performers, registered program participants, ticketed event attendees and other guests of the University.  

Academic Buildings

Buildings in which academic classes are scheduled are accessible via card swipe to any member of the University community with a Brown ID or authorized Sponsored ID card during building-specific operating hours. 

Residential Facilities

In keeping with the access policy for most Brown buildings, residence halls require Brown ID card access. Access is limited to residents, their guests and other authorized members of the Brown community, and individual rooms within residence halls are accessed by keys. Students who are unable to access a residence hall they are authorized to enter should contact the Office of Residential Life. 

Public-Facing and Retail Facilities

Several facilities are accessible without exterior card access during designated operating hours because of their public-facing or retail functions. To ensure a safe environment without exterior card restrictions, the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management (DPSEM) maintains on-site security coverage at these facilities throughout their designated public operating hours.

• Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center: The Campus Center is accessible without a card swipe from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, serving as a central gathering place for students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors. This applies to all doors facing the College Green, as well as those leading to Faunce Arch. Outside those hours, the building transitions to card access. Brown students have 24-hour access, including for late-night academic work, and Brown faculty and staff with a valid Brown ID may also access the building outside its public operating hours.
• Galen V. Henderson Admission Welcome Center: The admission welcome center is accessible to prospective students, families and other visitors during designated operating hours.
• Brown Bookstore and other retail: Retail operations such as the Brown Bookstore are accessible during their regular business hours and do not require a swipe card for access.

Dining, Recreational Facilities and Libraries

Dining facilities, the Nelson Fitness Center and Brown’s libraries do not require exterior card access during designated operating hours. A Brown ID or other appropriate credential is required to access or use their services, however, and these facilities may have interior access points or credential checks appropriate to the services they provide.

Affiliates and Alumni

• Alumni: Alumni are welcome to visit the Campus Center during its public operating hours, the Maddock Alumni Center, and events and activities open to alumni and visitors. Brown’s Alumni Card program provides eligible alumni with access to University libraries. The University is reviewing opportunities to expand the Alumni Card program.
• RISD faculty and students: RISD students enrolled in Brown courses and RISD faculty teaching at Brown are eligible for Brown IDs as affiliates of the University. Additional information is available through the Brown Card Office.
• Sponsored individuals and contractors: Brown’s sponsored ID and contractor ID programs provide a mechanism for approved affiliates, contractors and others who require access in support of University activities.

Events and Programs

Campus buildings may be opened for approved events, programs and performances, with access arrangements appropriate to the event. These arrangements may include registration, ticketing, guest lists and/or staffed entrances. 

Guests, meeting attendees, vendors, and other authorized visitors may be granted access by members of the Brown community who have permission to grant access to the specific space, and Brown community members should plan to greet and escort guests in those instances. Uncredentialed or uninvited individuals should not be granted access. Event guidance is available for event sponsors, planners, and managers across Brown University. 

Read the full event security planning guidance, including the DPSEM Event Security Review Policy, for more information.

Need Help with Access?

If you experience an issue with your Brown ID or building access:

• Lost, stolen or damaged Brown ID: Visit the Brown University Card Office for information about replacing your card or getting assistance.
• Faculty and staff workplace access: Faculty or staff who are unable to access a building or workspace they believe they should have access to should contact their supervisor or department manager.
• Student residence hall access: Students who are unable to access a residence hall they are authorized to enter should contact the Office of Residential Life. 
• Student access to other campus buildings: Students who are unable to access an academic, administrative or other campus building they believe they should have access to should contact the department or building manager responsible for that facility.
• Sponsored individuals and contractors: Individuals experiencing issues with sponsored or contractor access should contact their sponsoring department for assistance.