The University will soon install 31 new cameras around Uni’s campus.
According to Dr. Karl Radnitzer, the Associate Director of Uni High, a majority of the cameras would be visual-only– a notable exception being the ones at the front doors of Kenney Gym and Uni– and would only be in the hallways, stairwells, Uni Gym, and at the doors. They would not be in classrooms or communal spaces like the lounge or the library. Most camera feeds would not be actively monitored, and only the University’s Public Safety department would have complete access to the ones in the hallways. Uni administration could only request access to the cameras in case of any security incidents within the school or investigation of a possible crime.
Radnitzer also says it has been a long-needed fix. There are existing cameras at all of Uni’s doors, one at Kenney Gym’s front entrance and one at the street light near the Uni parking lot. However, the one at Kenney has been broken for years, only recording audio with no visuals. He cited a few safety incidents, including one at Kenney Gym, where a student played volleyball with some adults and got injured. He also talked about a security issue that happened in 2022, where a community member got violent at Radnitzer himself right outside of Uni Gym during Spring Fling. Radnitzer also says the cameras also could be used in the case of an intruder.
Radnitzer said he understands the concerns of Uni’s population, but he says the cameras are unlikely to affect the everyday lives of any Uni student or parent. He says it’s just like any other school or building on the University campus, with cameras dotted around the ceilings. According to the University’s project proposal document, the footage from the new cameras would only be stored for 120 days. The University plans to install the cameras before the end of the school year, most likely sometime during Spring Break. Radnitzer says he wants to make sure the Uni community is very aware of it before it happens and is willing to answer any questions from the Uni population.
