Security and Safety Monitoring Policy
Roanoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the campus community. The purpose of security and safety video monitoring / recording is to enhance campus security and the safety of persons and property through electronic security patrol of campus areas, monitoring access to grounds and facilities, documentation of incidents, and assisting Campus Safety Officers in criminal or misconduct investigations. Video monitoring cameras may stationary, installed in patrol vehicles or worn by Campus Safety Officers. This policy provides guidelines in the management, use and installation of security and safety video monitoring on college owned or controlled property.
1. Any use of security and safety video monitoring must be managed in a professional, legal and ethical manner.
2. Installation or use of any security and safety video monitoring equipment must be approved by the Director of Campus Safety.
3. Purchase and installation of any security and safety video monitoring equipment will be coordinated through the Information Technology and Campus Safety Departments.
4. All public areas are subject to security and safety video monitoring. Campus Safety Officers may record interactions with the public or members of the college community when responding to certain calls or investigating criminal or misconduct activities
5. Security and safety video monitoring will not occur in private areas such as restrooms, residence hall rooms, or locker rooms where individuals may have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Recording in a residence hall room by a Safety Officer wearing an officer camera during the course of an investigation into criminal acts or misconduct is permitted.
6. Security and safety video monitoring will not occur in an individual office or a classroom unless the office holder or professor of the class expressly consents to such surveillance.
7. Covert security and safety video monitoring may be used when Campus Safety determines that there has been a credible report of potential or actual misconduct or criminal behavior or in any areas deemed to be a high risk for such behavior.
8. Information obtained through security and safety video monitoring may be used for security and law enforcement purposes and for compliance with College policy.
9. Security and safety video monitoring will not be monitored in real time on a 24 hour / 7 day basis. The primary use of security and safety video monitoring will be to make recordings that can later be reviewed by Campus Safety to follow-up on reported incidents or for use by college administrators involved in the student disciplinary matters.
The secondary use will be to enhance security patrols by allowing Campus Safety officers to periodically check on or remotely patrol a specific area.
10. Release of information or images obtained through security and safety video monitoring will be in accordance with applicable law, and only upon approval of the Director or Associate Director of Campus Safety.
11. Security and safety video monitoring recordings are considered records created by the law enforcement unit of the College and thus exempt from FERPA*.
12. Only Campus Safety Officers and Staff and authorized Information Technology staff will have routine access to security and safety video monitoring images and the usernames / passwords for access to the IP camera server.
13. Security and safety video monitoring images will be safeguarded against tampering.
14. As with all College policies, the College reserves the right to modify the guidelines herein if deemed necessary in the best interests of the College.