There is a new addition to campus. By the end of this month, there will be two cameras in the Oasis snack shop, which will be directed at the food distribution area and the cash register.
Currently there are cameras installed in Main Street in the Plex, and in parking lots on campus.
The cameras were recommended by the Oasis staff, who have continuously been subjected to disrespectful behavior by unruly students. Students have threatened and verbally abused staff in the past, as well as consumed food while in the snack shop, and later refusing to pay for it.
All of the past incidents are “conduct that the school does not tolerate,” according to Ulysses Hammond, Vice President of the Administration.
After being proposed by Oasis staff, the issue was taken to SGA, who Hammond said supported the idea “one hundred percent.” The SGA felt that something had to be done to correct past issues.
According to SGA President Peter Friedrichs, the new cameras, like the current ones, will only be reviewed if there is an incident, and then both the Campus Safety Director and a representative from the Office of Student Life must view them.
Additionally, Hammond said the cameras are not in place just to ensure Oasis workers’ safety, but “for the safety of the students, faculty, staff and visitors” who enjoy Oasis.
He also hopes that the cameras will be helpful for the Judicial Board in their deliberations since they will have access to video footage as well as written accusations.
Although some students expressed concern that the cameras would be an invasion of privacy, or that more were going to be installed, most students were assured by the knowledge that only two cameras were going to be put in place, and both were in parts of Cro where student socializing usually does not take place.
Despite this, some students still feel that the cameras are an infringement of privacy.
But sophomore Elias Kauders expressed a sentiment that seems to be the general consensus: “If it stops Cro workers from being harassed, I’m fine with it.”
