Identification Card Policy [New 5/16/2025]

The purpose of this policy is to outline the expectations related to the issuance and use of RISD identification cards to ensure the safe operation of the College.

This policy applies to all current and active RISD faculty, staff, matriculating students, vendors and designated visitors.

Identification cards (IDs) are issued to members of the RISD community to grant access to various buildings during the course of their work. IDs must be carried at all times when on campus as they provide access to academic, administrative and residential buildings and identify the holder as a member of the RISD community. Cards are valid only during the course of employment or enrollment as a student and are available at the Campus ID office located at 48 Waterman Street, East Hall Room 8. In addition to providing access to RISD buildings, the ID card is used to establish eligibility for discounts and certain college services available to employees.More information is available on the Campus ID Card Services site and from the Campus ID office (ext. 6664).

To obtain your RISD ID card, please visit the Campus Card Services Office, located at 48 Waterman Street. We will take your photo and print your ID card during your visit.

Please bring a valid form of identification (e.g., driver’s license or passport). A complete list of acceptable documents can be found here.

Access to Campus Buildings and Facilities

RISD maintains an access control system for all academic and residential buildings, meaning students, faculty and staff need to wave a valid RISD ID card in close proximity to card readers in order to open locked doors. Proximity readers can detect when a reader-controlled door is forced or held open. If a door is forced open, or held open for too long, it will immediately sound an audible alarm locally and alert Public Safety.

Access is based on several factors, including:

• authorization
• area
• time of day
• day of week

Currently active faculty and staff have access to academic buildings 24/7. Please complete the access request form if access to other specific areas (e.g., labs, workshops, elevators, etc Card Services manages the assignment of access privileges for card-accessible areas. In general, the entire RISD community shall have access to all "community" areas. Authorized staff may download and submit the access request form below if access to other specific areas (e.g., labs, workshops, elevators, etc.) is necessary. A completed form must be sent to Card Services for processing. Please allow 48 hours to facilitate each request.

Generally, academic buildings are accessible 6 am to 2 am during the academic year for matriculating students. Academic shops and computer labs are accessible during many, but not necessarily all, of the hours a building is open. Graduate students may have 24-hour access to studio spaces at the discretion of their department and with approval from the Graduate Studies division.

NOTE: These hours do not change during breaks in the academic calendar.

Common ID Card Uses

• Dining accounts: On-campus meal plans are linked to your RISD ID card. Simply visit any of RISD Dining’s facilities, choose your meal and present your RISD ID card to a cashier.
• Library card: Borrowing from the Fleet Library at RISD is easy. Simply bring your books to the circulation desk and present your RISD ID card.
• Riding the RIPTA bus: Your RISD ID card also functions as a RIPTA bus pass, allowing you to ride free of charge if you’re a matriculated student or current faculty or staff member. Visit RIPTA for routes and schedule information.
• Pay for prints and laundry: Funds to pay for printing and laundry may be added to your RISD ID card at risdbucks.risd.edu, or you can download the iOS app or the Android app for your mobile device.

How to Replace a RISD ID Card

To replace a lost, stolen or damaged ID card, visit Card Services Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm. Reporting a lost card will immediately lock down the funds and access associated with the account and prevent someone from using that card to access campus buildings. Lost or stolen cards may be reported by logging into risdbucks.risd.edu and clicking the "I Lost My Card" Quick Link to alert Card Services as soon as possible.

Card Replacement Fees

• $10 for first lost card
• $20 for losing a card a second time
• $30 for losing a card a third time and each time thereafter...
• $5 to replace a damaged card

This policy was created on: 6/23/2020

This policy was last reviewed/modified on: 5/16/2025

Next scheduled review: 6/23/2027

Issuing Office

Public Safety

Responsible Officer

Vice President, Campus Services

Individuals/offices required for review and changes

Chief of Public Safety

Associate Director of Access Control and Campus Card Operations