One responsibility of the administration is the safety of the students and other members of the Stevens community. In their continuing initiative to ensure campus protection, the Office of Residential and Dining Services (RDS) announced the installation of security surveillance cameras in the elevator cars for the dormitory halls.
Using security cameras on campus helps ensure safety and accountability for actions taken within Stevens’ property. Throughout campus, several cameras allow for either live monitoring or recording. Stevens publishes the regulations on the use of cameras in the “Policy on Security Camera Use,” a section of the University Policy Library.
According to the policy regarding camera use, the installation of cameras is the responsibility of campus police or vendors approved by the Office of the General Counsel beforehand. The allowable locations of cameras are limited as well. Cameras can only be outside areas, areas public to the university, or elevator cars. Additionally, the positioning of cameras may not allow them to view any area or through a window to view any private area — listed as “private offices, spaces dedicated to health and counseling services, residence hall rooms and hallways, locker rooms, and bathrooms.”
The listed reason for installing cameras in the dormitory elevator cars is to deter vandalism or other criminal activities within the elevators. The need for elevator cameras stems from recent incidents like removing overhead lighting from River Terrace Dormitory elevators.
However, while there is an understanding of the need for cameras in the elevators, there are some concerns about privacy due to the increase in surveillance on campus. The Stute spoke to some current residential students and asked for their opinion on installing these cameras. Some of them expressed an understanding of the need for cameras. Some former River Terrace residents referenced last year’s incident in 604-606 River Terrace, where someone removed the lights. The administration told the entire dormitory population to pay for the damages if the responsible parties did not confess. However, other current residents are concerned with the potential violation of privacy. While the elevators are not actually in the private areas of the dormitories, many were worried about cameras getting closer to the actual dormitories.
Installing security cameras in the dormitory elevator cars is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the Stevens community. However, it is also essential to address the students’ concerns regarding privacy. The camera policy will regulate the cameras to ensure their proper use and installation. As Stevens continues to keep campus safe, the balance of safety and privacy will remain essential to campus improvements.
