For a glimpse into how college youth may be viewing the issue of “security vs. privacy,” see this editorial by the Independent Collegian:
Cameras are being installed on campus for the safety and protection of the students and their property. These cameras are being installed primarily in the student and in other public places relevant to student life.
Security is important on campus and needs to be improved. There are high-crime areas including parking lots and certain buildings where expensive equipment belonging to students is kept. It is in UT’s best interest to protect these areas because they’re either currently or potentially high crime areas.
Still, the thornier question remains, is increasing security in dorms where students spend their private time appropriate? On this, there was disagreement.
The majority of the editorial staff agreed that safety should trump privacy in this situation. Students are living on government property and the University of Toledo has every right to install cameras and patrol its property with the exception of spaces that are obviously meant to be private — bathrooms, bedrooms and suite common rooms. Beyond having a right to do so, UT has a responsibility to do so. The residence halls are, perhaps, the most important places on campus for crime prevention whether it’s theft or something more serious.
Read more on The Independent Collegian.