Montclair University: Cameras In Student Rooms?

Montclair State University has a range of residence halls and apartment-style living options for students, with various amenities and services provided. The university also has a police department that works to ensure the safety of students and staff. As of 2019, the police department has equipped its officers with body-worn cameras to increase accountability and transparency. However, there is no mention of cameras being installed in student rooms. The university prioritizes the privacy of its students and provides a safe and secure environment for its community members.

Montclair State University Police body-worn cameras

On March 1, 2019, the Montclair State University Police Department (UPD) began equipping its officers with body-worn cameras (BWCs). The use of BWCs is intended to increase accountability, transparency, and trust between the UPD and the campus community.

A BWC is a forward-facing audio and video capturing system that is attached to the outside, upper body of an officer's uniform. The Montclair State University Police Department selected The Axon "Body 2" body-worn cameras for its officers.

The decision to deploy BWCs reflects the UPD's commitment to transparency and an open relationship with the campus community. The use of body-worn cameras by police officers has become an industry standard, with significant evidence that they are an asset to public safety. Benefits of police officers wearing BWCs include:

• Greater transparency and accountability in policing activities
• Deterring criminal activity and uncooperative behavior
• Evidence collection and court testimony in cases of suspected criminal activity
• Record keeping and reporting

On-duty, uniformed patrol officers and sergeants will wear BWCs when conducting a law enforcement service or operation that involves contact with the community. However, the camera will not be activated to record until and unless the officer is dispatched and the event fits the recording protocol. Officers will not record informal encounters with the campus community.

Officers will activate their BWCs whenever they respond to calls for service or have public contacts initiated pursuant to a law enforcement investigation or investigation of possible criminal activity. Activities that would require recording include arrest, search of persons or property, interviews, use of force, civil disorder incidents, transportation and processing of an arrestee, motor vehicle stop, calls for assistance, and conducting a community caretaking check.

Officers will not record in places where there is an expectation of privacy, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and medical patient care areas, unless there is reasonable suspicion that a crime is being committed or the recording of the location is material to an investigation. There may be situations where officers are permitted to use their discretion about recording events, such as interviewing sexual assault victims, interacting with patients in hospitals, at religious functions, or in the presence of minors.

At the end of each shift, officers will upload the data to a cloud-based service, where files are stored for a minimum of 90 days or according to the State of New Jersey's statute of limitations for criminal activity. Requests for data and recordings must be made in compliance with the Open Public Records Act and approved by the Chief of Police or the Prosecutor.

Residence hall security

In addition to the BWCs, the UPD works closely with the Office of Residence Life to ensure residence hall security. The residence halls themselves are designed to foster a sense of community and involvement, with each building having its own unique personality shaped by its staff and residents. The residence halls are located at both the north and south ends of the campus, offering a variety of living style options, including traditional double-loaded corridors, suite-style arrangements, and apartment communities. Each residence hall is self-contained, with lounges, recreation areas, study rooms, and various services.

The University also provides a safe environment for its community members through regular police patrols. Police officers are present 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in campus parking facilities, academic buildings, and residential buildings. Additionally, there are 150 blue light emergency phones on campus that directly connect callers to the University Police. The Rave Guardian feature is also available, which is a service that improves safety and peace of mind for students both on and off-campus.

To further enhance residence hall security, Montclair State University has implemented specific policies and guidelines. For instance, residence halls remain open during breaks, but students are required to notify the University of their presence. Students are encouraged to take valuable belongings home during breaks, and while not mandatory, it is recommended that they remove all their belongings if they will not be returning to the residence hall in the following semester. Additionally, residence halls are non-smoking facilities, with smoking prohibited in public areas, stairwells, and elevators.

In conclusion, Montclair State University takes residence hall security seriously, employing a combination of technology, community involvement, and policies to create a safe and secure environment for its students. The University Police, along with the Office of Residence Life, work diligently to ensure the well-being of those living on campus.

Campus safety

The University Police Department (UPD) has equipped its officers with body-worn cameras (BWCs) to increase accountability and transparency and strengthen trust. BWCs are forward-facing audio and video capturing systems attached to the outside, upper body of an officer's uniform. They are activated when officers respond to calls for service or have public contact initiated pursuant to a law enforcement investigation or possible criminal activity. The cameras are not activated during informal encounters with the campus community.

The Montclair State campus has residence halls that offer a variety of living style options, including traditional double-loaded corridors, suite-style arrangements, and apartment communities. Each residence hall is self-contained with its own lounges, recreation areas, and study rooms. Residents are encouraged to bring personal items from home to decorate their rooms and give the space its own character.

The Hawk Crossings complex, for example, provides an apartment living environment for students with 30 or more credits. It consists of three apartment buildings, each with a living room/dining area, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms. Members of the Hawk Crossings community are advised to be aware of personal safety and individual responsibilities, including locking doors, keeping the stairwell entrance shut, and not allowing strangers into the housing facilities. University Police provide community rounds and a strong presence during late-night hours.

Overall, Montclair State University takes campus safety seriously and has implemented various measures to ensure the well-being of its students, faculty, and staff.

Student privacy

Firstly, the university has a strong security presence, with police officers patrolling the campus parking facilities, academic and residential buildings 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are also 150 blue light emergency phones on campus that allow callers direct contact with the University Police. In addition, the Rave Guardian feature is available to all community members, which is a service to improve safety and peace of mind both on and off-campus.

In terms of student accommodation, Montclair State University offers a range of living options, from traditional double-loaded corridors to suite-style and apartment-style arrangements. Each residence hall is self-contained with its own lounges, recreation areas, and study rooms. Students are encouraged to decorate their rooms and bring personal items to make the space their own.

The university also has guidelines in place regarding the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by the University Police Department. While BWCs are used to increase accountability and transparency, they are not activated for recording unless the officer is dispatched and the event fits the recording protocol. Officers will also not record in places where there is an expectation of privacy, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and medical patient care areas, unless there is a reasonable suspicion of a crime being committed.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is another measure that protects student privacy. FERPA is a federal law that states that the university cannot share any student records with anyone other than the student themselves, with some limited exceptions.

Overall, Montclair State University takes student privacy seriously and has implemented various measures to ensure the safety and privacy of its students, both in their residence halls and across the wider campus.

Student accommodation

Montclair State University offers a range of student accommodation options to suit different preferences and needs. The University's residential facilities are located at both the north and south ends of campus, providing a variety of living style options. These include traditional double-loaded corridors, suite-style arrangements, and apartment communities. Each residence hall has its own unique character, shaped by its physical structure, staff, and residents.

Traditional-Style Residence Halls

In traditional-style halls, students have their own rooms, potentially shared with a roommate, and use communal bathrooms located on each floor. Examples of traditional-style halls include:

• Bohn Hall: Exclusively for first-year students, with 16 floors and scenic views of the New York City skyline.
• Stone Hall: A co-ed residence with 146 beds and a mix of centralised bathroom facilities and a 24-hour quiet area wing.
• Schweitzer Hall: A close-knit community for around 80 first-year students, connected to the campus dining hall, offering both community and shared single bathrooms.
• Lester H. Clee Hall: The largest first-year residence on the Bloomfield campus, accommodating 115 students with renovated restrooms and a popular lounge area.

Suite-Style Residence Halls

Suite-style halls offer students their own rooms, potentially shared with a roommate, and a private bathroom shared with another adjacent room. Examples include:

• Blanton Hall: A five-story building with central air conditioning and suites of adjoining rooms connected by bathrooms.
• Freeman Hall: Located near the main entrance, this hall accommodates students in a suite-style arrangement, with two rooms connected by a bathroom.
• Russ Hall: A 97-bed, co-ed suite residence with central air conditioning, a recreation room, and a full kitchen on the first floor.

Apartment-Style Residence Halls

In apartment-style halls, students have their own rooms, potentially shared with a roommate, and share private bathrooms and a living space with other roommates. Examples of apartment-style halls include:

• Hawk Crossings: Consisting of three apartment buildings, providing a non-traditional campus life experience with freedom and responsibility.
• The Village at Little Falls: An apartment complex with amenities such as a dishwasher, air-conditioning, cable, and high-speed internet access, as well as recreational facilities like a half basketball court and an outdoor pool.
• 23 Park Pl.: A unique and popular choice for students, featuring a community kitchen, communal bathrooms, and a lower-level laundry room.

Additional Information

All residence halls at Montclair State University are self-contained, offering lounges, recreation areas, study rooms, and various services. Basic amenities such as beds, dressers, closets, desks, chairs, and draperies are provided in each student's room. Residents are encouraged to bring personal items and decorate their spaces.

Frequently asked questions