The expansion of residence surveillance at the University has inspired conversations about student safety and privacy.
In the Student Affairs Annual Report for the 2024-25 school year, Queen’s announced that more than 700 security cameras were added across residences. The project began in 2023 with the installation of additional cameras in Victoria Hall and has since extended into most residence buildings.
READ MORE: University installs 75 new cameras in Victoria Hall
In a written statement to The Journal, the University explained that these additional cameras are part of an ongoing effort to enhance safety and security within the residence community.
“Like many institutions across the post-secondary sector, Queen’s has expanded the use of video cameras as one component of broader safety and security practices aimed at both deterring and responding to incidents in residence,” the University said.
Queen’s says that student feedback has been taken into consultation in shaping increased residence security measures, explaining that results from the Residence Satisfaction Survey showed that the majority of students supported expanding the presence of video cameras in residence.
Former Victoria Hall resident Maham Arfan, ArtSci ’26, explained to The Journal that over the eight months she was in residence, multiple incidents in common rooms or public areas occurred with no meaningful precautions or follow-ups. Despite this, she questions whether simply increasing cameras will properly address this issue.
“If students can still engage in whatever activities they want inside the rooms where cameras aren’t actually present, it just makes me wonder how much this measure will actually address the safety in these residence buildings compared to what it might overlook,” Afran said. “I just think if the goal is really safety, then cameras in the hallways feel more like a quick fix rather than a meaningful solution.”
The University claims there has been a significant reduction in vandalism and malicious fire alarm incidents since these additional cameras were installed.
Ethan Hewison, ArtSci ’29 told The Journal that while he’s not inherently against additional security in residences, he’s concerned about ensuring reasonable standards of privacy are kept.
“I think it’s really important that if Queen’s is going to increase security measures in residence, they take adequate steps to ensure student privacy is maintained,” Hewison said. “People are living there, after all.”
Queen’s says that the cameras are positioned to only capture common or high-traffic areas, including entrances, stairwells, hallways, and elevators, while strategically avoiding more private spaces. The video feeds are not actively monitored and can only be accessed for the investigation of specific incidents or concerns.
The University didn’t comment on whether any residences received a larger proportion of these new cameras, despite specific questioning from The Journal.
Tags
Campus security, Residences, Security cameras
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