University Policies

Security Camera

Approval Date: 01/20/2018
Approved By: President

General Statement of Policy and Scope

Western Illinois University (WIU) is committed to protecting the safety and property of the University community while respecting the privacy of our students, staff, faculty and visitors.  Security camera systems enhance overall campus safety, deter crime, and otherwise support the protection of people and property.

The purpose of this policy is to regulate the installation and appropriate use of security cameras on WIU property, along with the temporary storage and use of recorded images. Security cameras may be placed campus-wide, inside and outside buildings. 

Definitions

  • Security camera – a camera used for monitoring or recording public areas for the purposes of enhancing public safety, monitoring restricted areas or equipment, to discourage theft and other criminal activities.
  • Security camera recording – a digital or analog recording of the feed from a security camera.
  • Security camera systems – any electronic service, software, or hardware directly supporting or deploying a security camera.

Responsibilities and Authority

The Office of Public Safety (OPS) is the authority over the administrative aspects of these systems, including; policies, security camera functionality and standards, enforcement, and procedures.  OPS will maintain the listing of all security camera locations.

University Technology (uTech) is the authority over the technical aspects of these systems, including specifying, purchasing, installation, and maintenance. 

The department requesting a new security camera installation is responsible for all costs incurred in the installation and maintenance of the new security camera.

Control Elements

Camera installation requests are to be sent to uTech for review and estimation.  The department and uTech will review the camera placement and acceptability with OPS.  

Audio recordings are prohibited except in criminal investigations conducted by OPS.

Security camera recordings may not be used in the course of personnel investigations such as those related to (but not limited to) work place attendance or work quality.

Security camera recordings will be conducted in a professional, ethical, and legal manner.

Security cameras may not be used in private areas of campus.  Private areas include residence hall rooms, bathrooms, shower areas, locker and changing rooms, and areas where a reasonable person might change clothes.  Additionally rooms for medical, physical, or mental therapy or treatment are private.

All security camera locations will have signs displayed that provide reasonable notification of the presence of security cameras.  At a minimum this is to include primary building entrances.

New security cameras must be connected to the University’s centralized security camera system which is maintained by uTech.

When existing security cameras and/or recorders are replaced, they must be connected to the University’s centralized security camera system according to this policy.

Security camera recordings will be retained for a minimum of 30 days.  After 30 days, the video may be deleted, unless an authorized request for video related to a criminal investigation, student judicial review or criminal/ civil court proceeding has occurred.

Exclusions

This policy does not apply to the use of video for non-surveillance purposes, examples include:

  1. The academic use of cameras for educational and research purposes.
  2. Cameras used for journalistic purposes.
  3. Cameras used for capturing public events and performances.
  4. Webcams and Video conferencing systems.
  5. Construction webcams.
  6. Cameras placed for criminal investigations.