NUJS Kolkata has installed CCTV cameras throughout its campus, though the the law school’s vice chancellor (VC) and registrar could not confirm the exact number or cost of the measure.
NUJS’ acting registrar Sarfaraz Ahmad Khan told us yesterday that two CCTV cameras in every classroom, and at least one camera in every common area on the NUJS campus had been installed since February 2017 “for security purpose and examination purpose”.
He said that the project had been undertaken by the Public Works Department, and he was not aware if the administration wouuld use the cameras only during exams or at all other times too, but he commented: “I believe that the vice chancellor has the right to access all the classrooms physically and he has the right to access all the classrooms exclusively.”
When asked, he said that he was not aware of the total number of cameras or the cost associated with their procurement and installation.
NUJS is understood to have around 15 class rooms, including LLM class rooms and the moot court hall, some of which have been outfitted with fancy new podiums.
He said that the footage from the cameras would be exclusively available only to the VC, who would only be able to view it in his “ante chamber”, which is an area even more private from where the VC sits during office most of the time.
NUJS VC Prof Ishwara Bhat said that CNLU Patna and other universities have also had CCTV cameras installed.
Bhat commented: “The reason is this: It helps to check regularity, student faculty interaction, classes, all those things.”
Photo by Oogiboig.
Comments
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'
what are the elected representatives doing apart from releasing statements of solidarity?
were they party to the decision making process?
was this done with their concurrence? If yes, NUJS needs a change in the elected reps.
With the number of free speech and surveillance courses happening at NUJS increasing by the semester, is this what things have come to?
This is the very definition of mass surveillance on a space that is considered as secure?
why you do this bad students?
Please learn el el yum who to behave nicely in class
1) will the camera record or livestream? if it records then how long will they stay in the archive?
2) Is it possible to copy the records? if yes then who can access the system to copy them?
3) do the cameras have zoom function? do they capture sound? and what is the coverage area?
all these are critical questions on privacy.
Also why not set up the camera outside the classroom focussed on who enters the room, why should a camera be placed inside? there is no rational basis. Let us assume that the cameras in the classroom are there to protect the fancy new podium from vandalism, it is quite possible to trackback the students who had entered the room after the last time the podium was used (all smart podiums have inbuilt clocks like motherboards) and you can zero in on the suspect.
Sad state of affairs.
Kindly speak out facts as they stand.
Again contractuals, including a isis supporter and one lunatic and one utopian, are total worthless taking no/less/ineffective classes along with some permanents
This will not have any legal force, but it will be a massive pubic shaming for the guy and weaken his authority. You don't have to block the gates like the NLU Ranchi students (although that had a happy ending the end) but at least pass the impeachment motion and circulate it.
If the SJA cannot even do this much, then the office bearers must resign.
Has anyone done an RTI on the NUJS administration/ expenditure/accounts?
It's unfortunate that the EC allowed him to get another term despite strong student resistance. Most of the members hardly care about what student grievances are and are so unaware about the University that Bhat was allowed another term.
There is hardly anything that can be done about Bhat or the cameras now. He will continue to do such things and defame the University for another 2-3 years till his term ends.
Even the Review Commission has not become functional even after the CJI formed it. The problem here is bigger.
Or aren't you publishing it because you don't wish to spoil your relations with the Vice Chancellor? Makes me wonder.
Haven't checked with sources though if it's true - is it true? What stage is this at right now and what are the timelines? Plus, what are the reasons and rationales given for it?
pressure to behave because you are on camera. yes, thats what I was scared off.
Is disciplinary action been contemplated against students who do not pay attention?
and how are you going to decide if one is paying attention?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/law-faculty-writes-to-bci-over-number-of-seats/articleshow/58724292.cms
The security cameras are not one off thing - the university has invested a mammoth amount of money, running into many crores in the last few months to upgrade every infrastructure in the university. By the time students come back from their summer break the University is going to have next level of infrastructure - from the mess, classroom, roads to auditoriums - everything will have an upgrade.
There are legitimate concerns in the university regarding the security and well-being students. A depressed student once jumped off the terrace. There has been several raids by police in the last few years to check for drugs. There has been allegation by students against teachers of physically hitting, complaints by professors of unruly behaviour including use of abusive language by students in the classroom, complaints by student against another student of sexual harassment in the past Also, things have been stolen from university premises. Phones and other gadgets have been reported stolen from college premises, hostels, classrooms.- the university need to protect the students as well as itself.
I will suggest that Kian you report the situation in its entirety - this report came to be as an one sided report that misses the point. And again, many of the comments you published are downright defamatory and speculative. It not only hurts the reputation of the univerisyt but also two respected individuals who are trying to finally get some work done in NUJS.
Allow me to give you some perspective from the other side as well as some information. The major complaints the students have is with the attitude of VC and Registrar in not involving students in the decision making process and believing that they are rulers of the NUJSdom. For example the classroom is being planned to upgrade. Good. But what they are adding are false ceilings and flooring which I as a student dont give half a fuck about. IF you ask the students as to what should be changed in the classroom first, it will be the furniture. If you have studied in NUJS you know what I mean. Similarly cameras in the classroom makes no sense. No theft happens in the classrooms and people forget stuff and find them in the same place even after a couple of days. Now that we are on the topic of cameras, the Registrar numerous times told us that only one will be put put for the security of the expensive podiums being put in the classrooms. Later, after installing the two cameras during exams and no podiums were to be seen, the VC told us it is to monitor the teachers when they teach and the students cheating during examinations. These are just a couple of examples of the lies and misrepresentations and then shamelessly not giving a fuck about lying. Total apathy towards student opinions and issues.
This was the perspective. Now time for some information. Read this http://www.legallyindia.com/lawschools/renewed-nujs-vc-ishwara-bhat-gets-bad-report-card-from-almost-all-nujs-students-20160928-8001. Specifically the last point. 7.37 crores of unutilised UGC money. These infrastructure developments were to be done with this money during the last five years. The money was due to expire 31st March, 2017 which now I believe they have claimed and are using. When this was raised in the EC by the students and they were pressurised, did they get into motion to do something about it. It would have lapsed otherwise.
For the issues you mentioned in the University, God only knows how cameras in the classroom or common areas are going to help that. Even if it does one needs to ask is it the correct way to solve these problems because it is far from being the only way. And who told you police raids happens for drugs dude. There are no police raids, wtf, really. About sexual harassment if you read the above mentioned article again it would be very much clear to you that they care so much that they took 3 years to just notify the sexual harassment policy. And that too they did not do on their own, boss, bohot pressure ke under kiya. When you are forced to do your job because of pressure, like spending the UGC money or notifying this policy, it's not called taking initiatives.
I hope this gets your point, gives truth to your defamation and facts to your speculation. I would love to have a reply if you can take out your valuable time. Thanks.
then nothing can save you
sycophantic to the extreme...
I think there cannot be any expectation of privacy in classrooms or common areas. After all student have their own hostel rooms.