SJU administration introduces dorm cameras proposal
Damage to SJU first-year and sophomore residential halls have led administration to propose the idea of cameras to reduce vandalism. The SJU senate voiced privacy concerns over the new surveilance cameras.
Administration is considering installing cameras in SJU first-year and sophomore dorms due to an influx in vandalism.
The proposal is still in the planning phase, but some of the proposed locations for cameras are entrances, exits, laundry rooms, lounges, and hallways. Some people may be concerned about privacy, there is currently a lack of cameras in residence halls so the inclusion of any cameras may be jarring.
The Administration is proposing cameras as a response to the vandalism that has been happening over the years. In most situations the perpetrator is unable to be found and all students living in the dorm incur the cost of damages.
The SJU senate recently released a statement regarding the proposal by SJU administration to install cameras in residence halls due to vandalism. In response to privacy concerns a committee has been created with members of the SJU senate and administration that will decide on locations and numbers of cameras.
“For the past couple years there have been unaccounted damages in common areas of the residence halls. Students and parents regularly share their frustration about this behavior and the personal expense to repair the damages,” Mike Connolly, SJU dean of students, said via email.
Moving forward with the proposal the committee is going to review the recent SJU Senate editorial, which voiced its concerns over the privacy of students.
Ryley Nelson, a junior, said, “Privacy is definitely a concern of mine. I think if not done correctly [the cameras] could become an issue for students living in dorms. Making sure that student privacy is maintained is a main concern regarding the cameras; however, some students do see the positive side of installing cameras.
“I think cameras used correctly would definitely reduce the number of people breaking stuff,” Nelson said. “Last year I was charged at the end of the year for broken exit signs and lounge furniture, which was pretty annoying. If cameras could have caught the people doing that, then maybe they are not that bad.”
The committee is working toward a proposal that can accommodate both student privacy and reduce the numbers of unaccounted damages/vandalism in residence halls.
The SJU Senate’s editorial strongly opposed the proposal, voicing their concerns for student privacy while also acknowledging the administrations reasonings for the installation of cameras. The Senate claims the cameras will dissuade students from using the common areas, thus, diminishing the Benedictine value of community. While the Senate claims the destruction of a Benedictine value, Connolly claims the resurrection of a Benedictine value.
“St. John’s is a special place, and one of our Benedictine Values is stewardship, which is to appreciate and to care lovingly for all the goods of this place. I would ask all to exhibit the very best stewardship by demonstrating care and respect for all property and buildings,” Connolly said.
The Senates stance does not seem likely to change. On Feb. 18, a petition was made calling on the administration to reconsider the surveillance system if students can go without major damages for 30 days.
SJU senate Trustee Ashton Cleare, Trustee on the SJU Senate, said, “We recommend the use of cameras in entryways and laundry rooms; however, we do not agree with the placement of cameras inside of the halls.”
The Senate is hoping that this proposal and their response to it will result in a change on campus. They want students to experience all SJU has to offer while upholding the values that the school stands for.
“We are trying to use this opportunity to change the culture on campus. This should be students call to action to say ‘okay, we have stop breaking and vandalizing stuff,’” Cleare said.
