Date of Adoption: September 24, 2024
Policy Statement
Emerson College respects the privacy of the College Community and strives to balance that privacy against the safety needs of the College Community. The College employs a College Security Camera System to deter crime; to identify potential criminal activity, to investigate criminal activity and violations of applicable policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and other oversight requirements applicable to the College; and to enhance the safety, security and quality of life for the College Community.
Statement of Adherence to College Values
All Emerson Community Members have the right to live, learn, and work in an environment that is safe and free of violence. In furtherance of this goal, this policy aligns with the College values of equity, diversity, inclusion and access. Cameras are limited to uses that do not violate the reasonable expectation of privacy as defined and protected by law or College policies.
Reason for the Policy
This Security Camera System Policy (the “Security Policy”) explains how Emerson College manages the security camera system to enhance the safety of individuals and assets, and to support the college’s ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Responsible Officer
The Emerson College Chief of Police oversees the Security Camera System Policy which defines the intended and prohibited use, installation and placement of cameras, camera access, camera footage storage, the process for requesting the installation of a new camera and the maintenance and testing of cameras and equipment.
Appropriate Use and Confidentiality
Authorized users are prohibited from using or disseminating information acquired from College Security Camera System, except for official purposes. All information or observations made in the use of the security camera system are considered confidential and can only be used for official college purposes as authorized by the responsible officer.
Security Camera System Usage
A. Intended/Authorized Use
- Investigations – To assist in the investigation of potential criminal acts and violations of college policies and procedures.
- Critical incident Response – To assist responders in the safe and effective deployment of resources during a critical incident or other applicable event.
- Alarm verification – To assist responders in determining the nature of intrusion alarms, exit door controls and distress alarms.
- Crowd management – To assist in determining crowd activity and volume during events or in areas of high pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
- Verification of building access – To assist in verifying the condition of building access points as well as identification of individuals gaining access to the college.
- Property protection – To verify the security of building perimeters, entrances, lobbies, receiving docks, special storage areas.
B. Prohibited Use
Employees are prohibited from using the Security Camera System for the purpose of monitoring individuals or areas for the following reasons:
- Profiling – The practice of targeting for surveillance or monitoring individuals and/or groups based on characteristics including, but not limited to: race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or other protected classifications is prohibited.
- Personal interest – The Security Camera System shall not be used to serve private interests, not to satisfy personal curiosity.
- Privacy – The Security Camera System shall not be used to interfere with an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy without legitimate cause and appropriate authorization as required by law.
C. Monitoring
College security cameras are not monitored continuously under normal operating conditions but may be monitored for legitimate safety and security purposes. (See Intended/Authorized Use)
Maintenance and Testing of Security Cameras and Video Management Equipment
Facilities Management, or contractors under the direction of Facilities management, will be responsible for maintaining the Security Camera System in proper working order. In furtherance of this responsibility, Facilities Management shall ensure that tests of all cameras are conducted and maintenance and repairs are made, as required, on a reasonable basis.
A committee composed of representatives from the Emerson College Police Department, Information Technology and Facilities Management shall assess requests for new camera locations and conduct an evaluation of existing camera locations as necessary. (see Request for Security Camera Installation/Removal Form)
Cameras Not Operated by Emerson College Police Department
Except as provided in this policy individuals and departments are not permitted to install cameras to survey or monitor premises owned or operated by Emerson College. Emerson College recognizes that faculty and student use of high-quality cameras is necessary for students to complete their course work and achieve their full academic potential. Additionally, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) cameras are critical to monitoring college infrastructure to ensure it is functioning correctly. This policy does not apply to such cameras. "This policy does not apply to such SCADA cameras operated by the Emerson Facilities Management or Information Technology departments[add any other departments running exempt SCADA cameras."
Unless otherwise governed by a previously executed agreement, third-party vendors on campus premises owned or controlled by Emerson College may install cameras only with written permission from the Vice President of the relevant area, Chief Information Officer, and Emerson College Chief of Police. Such cameras are not included within the scope of this policy and will not be considered to be maintained by the College.
Last updated: October 8, 2024