In response to direct input from the Brown community, we are implementing several adjustments to access and operations to some buildings on campus in the coming days. We also want to share a few operational clarifications regarding building access and eligibility for our campus partners and affiliates. We have identified several areas where additional clarification would be helpful, as there are varying levels of understanding regarding the current access posture.

As we continue through the semester, we remain deeply committed to supporting the vibrant range of academic, student, and campus activities that define our campus. A central part of this effort is listening to the perspectives of members of our community as they experience the security enhancements we have put in place. We have been actively gathering feedback through various channels, including the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management’s bi-annual safety and security survey, meetings of the Brown University Community Council, various campus committees and engagement with members of the campus community in a range of settings. 

We are continuing to refine our security posture to ensure it is practical, streamlined, and responsive to the needs of our students, faculty and staff. 

Enhancements Based on Community Feedback

We are implementing the following adjustments to building access and operations:

• Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center: To better accommodate our students, faculty, staff, campus visitors, and alumni, the campus center will be open to the public (not requiring card swipe) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday-Friday. This will go into effect on Monday, April 27. This will apply to all doors facing the College Green, as well as those leading to Faunce Arch. To ensure Brown students have a dedicated space for late-night academic work, the building will transition to 24-hour card access for students, extending to the evening and overnight hours. Any student, faculty, or staff member with a Brown ID will be able to access the building at any time.
• Rockefeller Library: The Library team is adjusting and streamlining the entry process in response to concerns regarding delays in entering the building. While a security guard will remain on-site to assist those needing additional help, standardized reliance on card access readers to check IDs will ensure that students can enter the library more quickly and efficiently.
• Sciences Library: The Sci-Li will revert to 24-hour access during Reading Period and final exams. We understand the importance of late-night study spaces during peak academic periods. The University Library had previously announced a decision to reduce the Sciences Library hours. This was based on a review of usage data between the hours of 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. during weeks of regular course activity. The decision to return to 24-hour access to prepare for exams ensures students have ample dedicated study space during the busiest times of the year, supplementing the 24-hour overnight study access now available at the campus center. More details on Library hours can be found on the Library website.
• Page-Robinson Hall: Similar to the Rockefeller Library, the process for entering the building will be streamlined. This is in response to feedback regarding delays in accessing the services in the building. While security personnel will remain on site, there will be fewer steps to access the building. For information on the operating hours of units located in Page Robinson, check their websites or contact those departments directly.

Operational Clarifications & ID Eligibility

To ensure smooth day-to-day operations, we are providing the following clarifications regarding building access and eligibility for partners, affiliates and invited guests:

• RISD Faculty and Students: All RISD students enrolled in Brown courses and all RISD faculty teaching at Brown are eligible for a Brown ID card. We encourage those eligible to visit the Brown Card Office to ensure seamless access.
• Sponsored ID Program: The University’s sponsored ID and contractor ID programs remain unchanged and continue to be available to academic and administrative units. These are essential services for ensuring that approved affiliates and contractors can access campus facilities in support of University research, teaching and operations.
• Invited Guests: The campus hosts a wide array of invited guests, including prospective students and families coming to the Galen V. Henderson Admission Welcome Center, visitors attending meetings, community members attending ticketed events, and a range of other purposes. Once an invited guest has been granted access to a building for a verified purpose, staff and faculty are not expected to physically accompany the guest at all times. We understand that some units had recurring questions about accompanying their guests. When units host invited guests, speakers, performers, or visitors, the expectation is that reasonable awareness and oversight of building access are maintained while still allowing events and programs to operate in a normal and workable way. Guests may move independently for routine purposes, such as accessing event spaces and restrooms, or moving between meeting rooms.
• Event Security Reviews: Not every event requires a formal security review. Routine departmental meetings and small-scale programs should proceed without unnecessary administrative hurdles. For buildings with card readers, swipe access can be suspended for specific events if the entry point is staffed. This allows Brown to welcome ticketed guests, performers, and guest speakers through visual ID checks or guest lists. The security planning process is designed to help units identify when additional planning is appropriate. The Security Event Review form and additional information is available on the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management (DPSEM) event security web page.

Looking Ahead

These adjustments are part of an ongoing effort to balance safety and security with the openness our community values. We are collaborating closely with unit heads and Building Access Control Authorized contacts (BACAs) to adjust access as operational needs evolve. By empowering these designated leads, we ensure consistent institutional standards while preserving unit-level oversight of events, visitors and daily operations.

Thank you for your partnership as we work together to maintain a campus that is safe, accessible, and supportive of our shared mission.

Sarah Latham
Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration

Hugh T. Clements Jr.
Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Management, Chief of Police