Sir, Should a university operate blanket television surveillance of its campus users? In the case of Trinity College, the main trade union (SIPTU) and the Students' Union have both resoundingly answered no! The management and Board of TCD have seen fit, nevertheless, to proceed with a plan to install 12 closed circuit cameras (expandable to 32 cameras in the near future) to monitor continuously the movements of students, staff and visitors in outdoor areas on the campus, day and night.
We have made extensive and detailed arguments against the proposal, despite which the board has decided to proceed. Sadly, there is no evidence of its having taken seriously the important issues of civil liberties, the special claims of students to personal freedom within the campus, or even the question of whether the planned CCTV surveillance would actually enhance the safety of persons and property in the campus. Other, much more effective measures for the safety of campus users have been passed over in the pursuit of the technical illusion of enhanced security.
The matter might rest there as a disagreement within TCD, were it not for our general concern about the implications for personal freedom of CCTV surveillance in a major public space where, we believe, there is no special justification for it.
The Students' Union and SIPTU are obliged to raise the matter publicly, for the other reason that the Board of Trinity College has adopted a formal statement to the effect that there is general agreement to the introduction of CCTV. Whatever about their decision to implement it, we are appalled that the management and Board should formally ignore and deny that the major organisations of staff and students are resolutely opposed to such surveillance of the campus. Yours. etc.. Students' Union president, SIPTU section president, Trinity College, Dublin 2.