Baruch College Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Monitoring and Recording Policy

Purpose

Baruch College is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its community while respecting individual privacy. The use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring and recording systems is intended to enhance campus safety, protect property, prevent and investigate incidents, and promote a secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This policy establishes clear guidelines to ensure the responsible use of CCTV systems in compliance with applicable laws and regulations while balancing safety and privacy considerations.

Scope

This policy applies to all CCTV monitoring and recording systems deployed on Baruch College premises, including academic buildings, administrative offices, outdoor areas, and other public spaces. It does not apply to video equipment used to record public performances or events, interviews, or for other broadcast or educational purposes. It governs the use, storage, and access of recorded footage and deﬁnes the roles and responsibilities of college departments and personnel involved in the administration of CCTV systems.

Guiding Principles

CCTV systems will be used in a manner that respects the reasonable privacy expectations of individuals. Areas such as restrooms, locker rooms, residential spaces, or private offices will not be monitored unless legally authorized for a speciﬁc purpose.
The College will inform the campus community of the presence of CCTV systems through appropriate signage and public communication.
Operations will comply with all federal, state, and local laws, as well as CUNY and Baruch College policies, to ensure ethical and equitable practices.
CCTV monitoring will never be used to target individuals based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.

Approved Uses of CCTV

CCTV monitoring will occur only in those areas where the Baruch College community does not have

a reasonable expectation of privacy, as deﬁned by State law.

CCTV systems will not be used for employee performance evaluations, monitoring of academic activities, or any personal or non-official purposes.

Roles and Responsibilities

Department of Public Safety: Oversees the installation, operation, and management of

CCTV systems, monitors live feeds, and reviews footage as needed for authorized purposes.

Data Custodian: Ensures secure storage of recorded footage and controls access in

compliance with this policy.

Office of Legal Affairs: Advises on legal compliance, reviews and approves access requests,

and handles legal challenges related to the use of CCTV.

Notiﬁcation and Signage

Clear signage will be placed in all monitored areas, stating: “These premises are under CCTV surveillance for safety and security purposes. For more information, contact Baruch Public Safety at 646-660-6000.”

Recording and Data Retention

Recorded footage will be securely stored and retained for no longer than 30 days unless required for ongoing investigations, legal proceedings, or regulatory compliance.
Access to recorded footage will be limited to authorized personnel, with requests documented and reviewed by Legal.
Recordings will be encrypted and stored on secure servers, with regular audits conducted to ensure data integrity and security.

Prohibited Uses

Recording audio unless speciﬁcally authorized by law.
Monitoring classrooms, private spaces or personal activities without explicit legal approval from Baruch College’s Office of Legal Affairs and CUNY’s Office of Legal Affairs.
Using CCTV footage for personal, unauthorized, or non-official purposes.

Covert Cameras

Covert (hidden) CCTV equipment may be installed for ﬁnite periods of time to address site-speciﬁc complaints of criminal activity. Covert CCTV will only be placed in individual offices with the knowledge and permission of the occupant(s) and classrooms with the permission of the relevant Deans and/or department chairs. Under no circumstances will covert equipment be installed in violation of the principles of academic freedom. Under no circumstances will covert equipment be installed in bathrooms, locker rooms or dressing areas where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. The use of covert CCTV will be conducted in accordance with law, with the approval of the Vice President for Operations and Administration after consultation with Legal Counsel.

Oversight and Review

This policy will be reviewed every three years to ensure compliance with evolving laws and best practices.
Regular audits will be conducted to assess system use, data storage, and adherence to this policy.
The Office of Public Safety will maintain a log of all access requests, approvals, and denials

for transparency and accountability and annually provide the log to Legal Counsel.

Enforcement and Violations

Violations of this policy, including unauthorized use of CCTV systems, may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or dismissal from the College, in accordance with applicable procedures.

Additional Best Practices and Features

Training and Certiﬁcation: All personnel responsible for CCTV operations will undergo

annual training on privacy laws, ethical use, and system operation.

Integration with Emergency Protocols: CCTV systems may be used during emergencies to

coordinate real-time responses with ﬁrst responders.

Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or additional information regarding this policy, please contact:

Director or Deputy Director of Department of Public Safety

Phone: 646-660-6000

Email: Public.Safety@baruch.cuny.edu

This policy underscores Baruch College’s dedication to maintaining a safe and secure environment while safeguarding the privacy and rights of its community members.