SGA Confronts Growing Campus Surveillance Policies
Student Government Association mobilizes as new monitoring policies raise privacy concerns on campus
Davidson College’s Student Government Association (SGA) began preparations Tuesday for a major initiative regarding the growing surveillance system on campus. The group expects resistance from faculty and staff, who so far have provided little explanation for the expanded policies and regulations.
Last week, Lux reported on the college’s expansion of its power to access and monitor student data. This new policy explicitly expands reviewing of security cameras and CatCard records. It also opens the door to monitoring the metadata of campus communications, including subject lines and file names.
It’s not only the new T&I policy in question, as other departments have also expanded their power to identify and monitor students. “Effective immediately, all individuals—including students, staff, faculty, and visitors—are required to check in at the front desk upon entering the Residence Life Office, regardless of whether they have a scheduled appointment,” an email from the Residence Life Office read. “This procedure ensures that our team is aware of everyone in the building and can maintain a secure and respectful environment for all. It also allows us to better protect the privacy of those we serve and uphold our commitment to a safe and welcoming space.”
There have been no publicly disclosed safety incidents regarding the Residence Life Office this year.
“This is bizarre,” said Ezra Steinman, Chair of the Food and Housing Committee. “I work closely with RLO as committee chair, and they didn’t bring any concerns to me, or to the public. They added this scan-in for safety reasons, but there’s no justification as to why.”
Others drew comparisons to the new policy at all Patterson Court Council (PCC) events, which requires students to scan their CatCard to enter parties. The scan-in policy led to long lines outside events like Rusk’s “Love Island” and Warner’s “Mathletes and Athletes.” Many fear a chilling effect on the social scene at the college.
“Party scene has been mid,” a YikYak commenter wrote. “Boutta hibernate until Placement Day.”
The SGA has heard student concerns about privacy and is moving to address them with a campaign that prioritizes transparency and open discourse.
“The goal is to figure out if there is a basis behind this new surveillance,” said Harry Carter, SGA Vice-President. “And then deciding if there are changes that need to be made, and talking to the people in positions of power who can make them.”
To SGA President Connor Hines, the new policy was immediately recognizable.
“It’s all about risk management,” he said. “That’s what motivates the college, because they have a legal liability to restrict the underage consumption of alcohol.”
The new policy also was a reminder of a more restrictive time on campus.
“In the Spring semester of 2024, a majority of the 1st Armfield (“F”) apartments were closed,” he recalled. “Nearly all PCC organizations were placed on social probation. It pushed the social scene off campus on St. Patrick’s Day. A thousand people crossed Main Street, intoxicated, and just walked off campus.”
Hines was critical of the lack of communication with the student body regarding the new developments.
“I feel frustrated that students were not brought into these conversations,” Hines said. “I think it makes for a better student experience when students are consulted about changes before they’re made.”
The review and consideration period for the updated technology policy ends on October 7th, meaning that SGA has only one day left to mobilize and make student voices heard. But this is only one item in the long list of new and controversial surveillance policies.
“SGA’s quest for transparency is just beginning, but this is the first inflection point,” Steinman remarked. “If we let this pass without making our voices heard, we’re essentially giving up all student control over decision making. It’s now, or never.”