Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Access Control

Access Control refers to electronic locks that are controlled via computer software. It has been implemented at each of the campuses throughout the district to enhance security in our buildings. By utilizing electronic locks, Public Safety can better manage the security of our buildings, monitor who has access, and define when an individual has access. We can remotely secure any door on access control in the event of an emergency situation.

Why are we doing this?

Defining and enhancing perimeter doors with electronic access control allows PCC to better secure the building, limiting an active threat’s access to the interior.

How are buildings and doors selected?

Public Safety, with the assistance of Planning & Capital Construction, evaluates the buildings to determine the best selection and placement.

Why are all exterior (external) doors not Access Control Perimeter doors?

Exterior doors are doors that are on the exterior walls of the building. Not all of these doors allow access to the building’s interior. Many are to closets or rooms that are isolated and have no other access to other interior spaces.

A perimeter door, however, is a door that allows access to rooms with other exterior doors or allows access to main hallways and other interior spaces. In certain rare situations, a Perimeter door could be an internal door that provides access to secure space for students and faculty.

For example, an exterior door that doesn’t allow entry anywhere but that classroom (and/or storage space), would be an exterior door. However, a door that allows entry into a classroom that also has an interior door with entry to more classrooms, building, etc., would be a Perimeter door.

For security reasons, Public Safety does not publish details about security criteria or Access Control installation information.

What will happen with regular hard key access?

Hard key access will be restricted on doors with card readers on them. This will allow PCC to better control and maintain its buildings and security. This means that you will need to use your access card in order to access these spaces. Facilities will rekey these doors over time following the completion of the access control installations.

Alarm Code Requests

If you need an alarm code, please request it via email from Interim Communication Coordinator, Jennifer Ruth jennifer.ruth1@pcc.edu. The request must be approved by the director of public safety and then will be sent to the alarm technician for entry. Requests sent directly to the alarm technician will not be honored.

How do I request access to a space via an access card?

All requests for access must be approved by the department/manager. If you need access to your space, please contact your manager or department admin and they will need to submit the request through FMS ReADY on your behalf. We are asking departments to submit access control spreadsheets of more than (10) ten individuals once per term, preferably two weeks prior. If less then (10) ten individuals departments will need to submit each one separately through FMS ReADY.

What do I do if my access card was lost or stolen?

If your card has been lost, stolen or damaged you should report it to public safety immediately. You can do this by calling Public Safety dispatch at 971-722-4902.

There is a $10 replacement fee for lost cards. You can pay the fee online.  Please use Firefox or Chrome as IE will not work. If there are additional questions about the fee assessed for replacement cards please visit: the ID cards page.