Video & Electronic Surveillance

Video and electronic surveillance at Indiana University

The four primary goals of our video and electronic surveillance systems are to:

  • Respect personal privacy
  • Increase the safety of individuals and security assets
  • Improve the university’s ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies
  • Improve operational efficiencies and effectiveness

Our university-wide policy on video and electronic surveillance, PS-02, states that these technologies are used for public safety, security, public convenience, and/or operational effectiveness purposes, or a combination of these uses. Any systems deployed for these purposes must comply with this policy.

Read the full PS-02 policy

Ways we use video and electronic surveillance

Video cameras capture images of building entrances, common spaces and parking areas for public safety, as well as emergency preparedness and response purposes.

Valuable, critical, and sensitive university assets—such as a museum piece or a key information technology facility—have surveillance systems for security purposes.

Monitoring and recording of public areas, such as construction sites or areas affected by automobile traffic or weather, provide useful information and images for public convenience.

The use of surveillance for operational effectiveness purposes must demonstrate added value. Examples include capturing images of delivery docks and office lobbies to improve customer service, or capturing images of common areas for space planning purposes.

Who funds surveillance systems at IU?

Each university unit that requests and/or benefits from an electronic surveillance system is responsible for all costs associated with the system. Existing video surveillance systems must be incorporated into a central system.

What uses are prohibited?

Video surveillance is not to be used for routine supervision and management of employees, such as:

  • Monitoring employees to ensure employee productivity
  • Monitoring staff who work unsupervised in remote locations
  • Installing cameras in areas of suspected theft (contact police instead)

Contact psacpted@iu.edu for consultation or advice related to use of surveillance systems.

IU’s video and electronic surveillance policy does not apply to:

  • Video captured on personal cell phones or electronic devices—unless the video will be used for purposes of public safety, security, public convenience, or operational effectiveness.
  • The common practice by instructors and students to record students for improvement purposes, such as when learning a foreign language.

Indiana is a one-party consent state for audio recording, which means that intentional recording of an electronic communication by a person other than the sender or receiver without the sender or receiver consenting to be recorded, is prohibited.

Request for surveillance systems and devices

Video and electronic surveillance systems may only be installed and operated after review and written approval by IU Public Safety Physical Security and Access (PSA). Begin the process by completing this form.

Request for operator access to surveillance systems

Surveillance systems at IU are installed and operated by a limited number of authorized operators. To gain approval from IU Public Safety Physical Security and Access (PSA), you must complete this form and pass the operator quiz.

Request to preserve surveillance information

The Office of General Counsel or the campus Chancellor or Provost may request, in writing to IU Public Safety Physical Security and Access (PSA), that surveillance information be retained longer than thirty (30) days.

Request to release surveillance information

IU Public Safety Physical Security and Access (PSA) receives, documents, and stores each request for and approval of the release of surveillance information.