<br/>Baker's new Living and Learning Center is armed with security cameras. The decision to add cameras in the new residence hall was made to bring extra security to the students and the campus.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Baker's new Living and Learning Center is armed with security cameras. The decision to add cameras in the new residence hall was made to bring extra security to the students and the campus.
Baker’s new Living and Learning Center is armed with security cameras. The decision to add cameras in the new residence hall was made to bring extra security to the students and the campus.
Numerous accounts of vandalism occurred last year in Gessner Hall, where community fines had to be levied because no one could figure out who the vandals were. Instances in both Irwin and Gessner halls took place where people that didn’t live in the residence hall, and sometimes didn’t even attend Baker, were wandering around at unsuitable times of the night.
Senior Luke Bowerman remembers a time during his freshman year at Baker when he found a woman walking up and down the halls at 3 a.m. looking for a student's room. <br/>"It really kind of freaked me out," Bowerman said. "It really kind of freaked me out," Bowerman said.
“It really kind of freaked me out,” Bowerman said.
Assistant Dean of Students Teresa Clounch said after the decision was made to put cameras in the LLC there was some discussion about putting cameras in Irwin and Gessner in the future, but no official plans have been made.
Area Coordinator Daniel Easton said cameras are a standard feature in residence halls these days for security purposes. There are 10 cameras in the LLC, three on each of the three floors and one outside behind the building. The idea is that while the cameras can’t see everyone all the time, no one will be able to get into a hall without being seen on at least one camera.
The monitors for the cameras are not located in the residence hall. They are in the security office where the security officers can watch them if they feel something inappropriate might be taking place.
The security officers are the only people who have access to the monitors. If necessary, someone else, such as an area coordinator, may be pulled into the security office to help identify a student.
"We're not trying to watch the cameras to just get people in trouble," Easton said. <br/>The main purpose is that in cases of vandalism, theft or other crimes, security officers will be able to see who committed the offense. They will be able to see if there are people consistently hanging around the LLC that are trespassing, Easton added.The main purpose is that in cases of vandalism, theft or other crimes, security officers will be able to see who committed the offense. They will be able to see if there are people consistently hanging around the LLC that are trespassing, Easton added.
The main purpose is that in cases of vandalism, theft or other crimes, security officers will be able to see who committed the offense. They will be able to see if there are people consistently hanging around the LLC that are trespassing, Easton added.
The cameras will also be helpful to resident assistants. Junior Tiffany Cornett said while the RAs do not have control over the cameras, they can ask the security office to view something for them to help clear up a controversy. Being able to identify a student or students who created a problem will also prevent those cases where previously a community fine would have been given.