The Collegian

Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: News

Electronic eyes are watching you. In the past several years, the college has placed multiple surveillance cameras throughout campus and plans to install more.

Every building built or refurbished within the last five years has motion activated surveillance cameras at its entry points, Director of Security Mike Wertz said. Several other motion control cameras monitor the quad and various portions of the campus perimeter.

Now it is almost impossible for a student to go through a day of classes without being caught by cameras, Wertz said.

"Face the facts: in today's world, your picture is being taken about 300 times a day," he said.

Most convenience stores, main roads or public buildings will record people without consent, Wertz said.

But some cameras are more obvious than others. The new cameras in Strosacker Science Center obtrude, said sophomore Alison Konarske, a chemistry major.

"It's sort of obnoxious," she said. "It's so big. It makes me feel safer, but I don't need something to be watching me all the time."

The cameras get installed for a variety of reasons, but primarily for the security of students and property, Wertz said.

"A lot of this gets sparked from V-Tech and Columbine," he said.

Already the cameras have helped solve several incidents, including the theft of a stuffed red-tailed hawk this March, Wertz said.

The benefit of security comes with a loss of privacy, which is acceptable, students said.

"I can understand the precautionary measures given the happenings of other campuses, but I guess it's sad that everything we do has to be watched," said junior Eveline Gnabasik.

Even though campus now has more surveillance, security personnel rarely monitor the cameras, Wertz said. Most indoor cameras monitor only the entrances for privacy purposes, Wertz said.

"I'm anti-Orwellian too," he said. "I don't like Big Brother."

Though security is the primary purpose of cameras, some serve other purposes. The top of Central Hall holds Webcams that keep donors updated on construction.

Also, the library just installed a $2,500 camera at its back door to facilitate a new shipping and receiving area, Library Director Dan Knoch said.

Since nobody works on the second floor, librarians needed a different way to communicate with shippers. The solution: a video intercom system that unlocks the door.

"It's been worth every penny," Knoch said.

While this camera does not monitor the back door, Knoch said he would like to have surveillance cameras installed to increase the overall security of the library.

Though the current system helps security, there is "room for improvement," Wertz said.

Wertz said the campus is considering adding more surveillance to the campus perimeter, especially near the Mary Randall Preschool and Hillsdale Academy.

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