Letter regarding Security Cameras on the Homewood Campus

The JHU chapter of the AAUP recently sent this letter to JHPD Police Chief and VP of Security Branville Bard.

Dear Mr. Bard,

I write on behalf of the Johns Hopkins chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). We have received questions about the recent installation of mobile security cameras on campus public spaces. I have attached photos of these below.

Several faculty members have noted that the installation of these security apparatuses comes at a jarring time, as the university has recommitted itself to values of openness, free expression, and intellectual exploration in the wake of campus protests last year.

To that end, we would like to understand the purpose of these new cameras on campus. Most urgently, we’d like to know what information is being recorded and maintained by Johns Hopkins or by its subcontractors. We would appreciate written assurances that no biometric data (including facial recognition technology) is being used at the university. In addition, we’d like to know about the data storage plans for maintaining the recordings.

Finally, we’d also like to understand how the decision was made to bring this technology on campus, who exactly made this decision, and how the decision-makers balanced the risk of chilling academic speech against the security benefits these devices may bring. You will of course understand that these cameras cause many on campus to feel less rather than more secure. 

We are available to meet to discuss this issue and welcome any further information you can provide.

Sincerely yours,

François Furstenberg

Chapter Secretary

Cc:

President Daniels

Provost Jayawardhana

General Counsel Paul Pineau