In light of recent national events, students are concerned with the lack of cameras around campus. Tony Coleman, director of Security, says there are multiple cameras around campus and more are set for installation. Cameras have been placed in high traffic areas such as the quad, outside the entryways of the dorms, the bridge leading to Stamper Commons and outside of the children’s school.

Each individual camera has four different lenses, which equals 42 separate views. Coleman said that the security team wanted to take care of the high traffic areas first before installing more cameras around Stephens. However, in about a year, there will be cameras observing every inch of the campus so students feel safe no matter where they are and what time of day it is.

Coleman has wanted to set up security cameras since the day he started working for campus security. Financially it is a struggle, but Coleman is making great strides in planning to get it done. He also wants cameras to be installed down at the stables.

The cameras that have been set up around campus have been helpful. In fact, it helped settle an incident that happened at a wedding held on campus. An intoxicated couple left in their car, resulting in an accident down the road. The couple returned to the school, stating that their car had been stolen from the Lela Rainey Wood parking lot and requesting Stephens pay the cost for the stolen vehicle. With the help of the cameras in the LRW parking lot, security was able to go back and watch the footage of the couple leaving the parking lot in the “stolen” car.

Over the next year, after all of the new security cameras are set up, signs will be posted all around campus warning students and visitors that they are being monitored.

After asking a handful of Stephen’s women on if they feel their privacy is being invaded by the new security camera system, the majority of women polled said no. They are aware that the cameras are here for protection and well being.

Security is making strides to be the best it can be and make sure students feel safe during their educational endeavors. Although students are feeling uneasy about the security set up right now, Coleman is doing everything in his power to change it and says to continue to call on security anytime a situation arises where you do not feel safe.