In the world of modern technology video surveillance has become an invaluable tool, protecting private homes, businesses and politicians alike. However where is the line drawn? When does the tool become a weapon?
As many Saint Anselm students may have already noticed, video surveillance equipment has been being installed inside many of the traditional style residence halls here on campus. In some locations such as Hilary Hall at the far end of the quad, a single camera has been put up to monitor to monitor student traffic in and out of the building.
The story does not end here though, and instead seems to have gotten more extreme. In the freshman building Dominic Hall, closed-circuit security cameras have been installed not in the lobby but along the walls each residential wing. There is no doubt that the cameras are only being used for the purpose of closely monitoring student behavior, and the response from Dominic residents has been overwhelmingly negative.
“It’s an intrusion of our privacy.” says Logan Ripa, a freshman Dominic resident. “Especially when we’re going to use the bathroom or take a shower.” Ripa lives on the ground level, or “second floor” of the res hall, in a wing adjacent to the main lobby and the Resident Director’s office. This wing of the second floor has not been historically problematic, nor has it had a single issue in terms of damages or disturbances since the beginning of the 2012-13 school year.
“In a non-problem hallway, the cameras seem really unnecessary and it feels like they don’t trust us” Ripa told Crier staff. What makes matters worse is the fact that previous hall damages were not the result of any sort of “res hall rebellion”, but instead could be attributed to only a few students.
The entire situation appears reminiscent of George Orwell’s novel 1984, with the cameras attempting to ensure that students uphold Anselmian values both day and night. Many students have been asking who “Big Brother” is, so Crier talked to Residential Life to try and identify the face behind the lenses.
Ryan Dumont, a resident assistant working in Dominic hall was able to provide some insight into the way the system works. “The cameras are not being monitored 24/7” says Dumont. “When we identify that there has been an incident, we can pull up the footage from the respective area during the respective time frame in order to identify the perpetrator.”
In general Res Life seems take a more Machiavellian stance on the cameras, that the end justifies the means. Myung Lee, who is another RA in Dominic, also takes a realistic stance on the camera installation. “There will always be someone who breaks things, and as adults and guests on the Monk’s property we have to remember and respect that.” Myung also adds that, “cameras were our last choice. We had to install them once damages got to a high level.”
It is also important to note that neither RA that interviewed with crier knew who looked at the footage from the cameras; only that they were able to request video segments in order to address incidents.
The debate over residence hall cameras has only just begun and will undoubtedly continue as more students question the justification of their installment. Since there will always be those people who do cause damages inside the res halls, it is a good bet that the cameras are here to stay. Just remember to tie your towel tightly before heading over to the showers.