Responsibility for Maintenance: Campus Safety and Security
Date of most recent changes: March 28, 2016
I. Policy Statement
Onondaga Community College reserves the right to place video surveillance cameras on campus where necessary and appropriate. The College respects the privacy of the campus community and attempts to balance that privacy against the safety needs on campus. Cameras are not a guarantee of safety but are a tool that assists Campus Safety and Security by serving as deterrents.
This policy does not apply to cameras used covertly by Campus Safety and Security or another law enforcement agency for criminal surveillance as governed by the New York State Penal Law.
Video Surveillance Cameras are to be operated by employees of Campus Safety and Security only and for reasons directly connected to their employment.
II. Reason for Policy
Onondaga Community College believes that safeguarding the personal welfare of its students, employees and visitors is of paramount importance. In an effort to discourage those behaviors which threaten personal safety or a potential loss of campus resources, selective use of video surveillance is engaged at the campus.
III. Applicability of Policy
All members of the campus community should be aware of this policy.
IV. Contacts
| Subject | Office Name | Title or Position | Telephone Number | Email/URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Questions regarding policy | Campus Safety and Security | Director, Campus Safety and Security | (315) 498-2478 | j.h.peckins@sunyocc.edu |
V. Definition of Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Video Surveillance Camera | A camera device that is capable of capturing images (not audio) viewable by the naked eye, and transferring such images to a data storage system. Image capture may use any technological format. |
| Data Storage System | A computer or electronic device dedicated to the purpose of storing data. |
| Public Area | An area open for public use where the expectation of privacy is not violated by what could normally be observed, such as the campus quad, an academic hallway, classroom, library study rooms, and all outdoor areas. |
| Private Areas | Areas such as bathrooms, shower areas, locker and changing rooms, areas where a reasonable person might change clothing, or private offices. The only exceptions are cameras used narrowly to safeguard money, documents, or supplies, from theft, destruction, or tampering. |
| Temporary Video Surveillance Cameras | Cameras that are established by Campus Safety and Security to provide additional security for a campus event or situation, and that are not in place for more than thirty days. |
| Permanent Video Surveillance Cameras | Cameras which may be established as part of the campus infrastructure. Placement of permanent cameras requires joint approval of the Director, Campus Safety and Security and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |
VI. Procedures
Camera Placement
Onondaga Community College’s Campus Safety and Security currently monitors video surveillance cameras located in public areas on campus. These cameras capture images as well as audio recordings in some locations with clearly marked signage. Request for placement of video surveillance cameras must be made to the Director, Campus Safety and Security, with a written statement justifying the benefit of installing surveillance equipment. Approved requests will include joint approval by the Director, Campus Safety and Security, and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. All camera purchases occurring subsequent to the implementation of this policy must meet the guidelines of this policy. Placement of video surveillance cameras shall be the responsibility of the Director, Campus Safety and Security and shall conform to applicable federal and state laws. Cameras shall not be placed in private areas of the campus. Video surveillance cameras are not to be directed or zoomed into the windows of any private residential building including residence halls.
Instances where Stored Video Footage would be released
- Stored Video Footage may be copied and transferred to any entity named in a Court Issued Subpoena.
- Stored Video may be used by Campus Safety and Security for the purpose of investigation in an incident or as evidence in a reported offense.
- Stored Video may be copied and transferred to any Law Enforcement agency who requests that footage for the purpose of furthering or supporting an investigation of a crime.
- In accordance with the NYC 2020 Discovery Laws, CPL 240, Stored Video may be copied and transferred to the District Attorney's Office for the purpose of within 15 days of compulsion.
- Stored Video may be copied and transferred to Student Conduct and Community Standards upon request and when it will be used in any student conduct proceeding.
- Video footage which is intended to be used to investigate and/or support an allegation of employee misconduct may only be searched for at the request of the Vice President, Human Resources or his/her designee with the approval of the Director, Campus Safety and Security or his designee.
Video Storage
Video surveillance footage will be stored for no more than 90 days unless that footage is saved for the purpose of furthering an investigation.
Prohibited Conduct
- No video surveillance footage may be saved for personal use;
- No video surveillance footage may be saved and stored on personal removable devices;
- No video surveillance footage may be transmitted to any social media site or personal webpages;
- No video surveillance footage may be used for financial benefit.
Approved by the OCC Board of Trustees June 19, 2012
Updated and approved by the President March 28, 2016