Overview

The computer commons is a building on campus that houses over 225 computers available for students and faculty to use free of charge. Granted, there may be computers inside the computer commons that were given to ASU as gifts, or are just being leased to ASU from Macintosh or Microsoft, but either way, 225 computers equals a lot of money,

Therefore, when we started doing some research for this project, my initial hypothesis for this building was that there was going to be a good number of cameras, some outside, more inside. I wasn’t sure what to expect when considering what directions the cameras may be pointed, but I thought that the entrances would be covered and I also expected some cameras inside the main atrium where most of the workstations are located. I also hypothesized that most of the cameras would be primarily used to protect property at the computer commons, not people.

This hypothesis, however, I began to second guess because I know classes are taught inside the commons which, as seen in the other buildings around campus, buildings which classes are taught in have proven to be a hotbed for surveillance.

So, before even stepping foot inside the computer commons, I was ready to see some kind of surveillance outside the building, cameras watching the entrances and exits of the building, and cameras inside the building either monitoring the students using the workstations or the classrooms within the commons.

Findings

Camera #1

When I was walking up to the computer commons on my mission to scout the locations of the security cameras in and outside the building, I noticed I looked at the building very differently. I began studying the building and everything around it like I have never done before in 4 years at Arizona State.

Much to my dismay, I didn’t see anything. No cameras outside the building watching me, no cameras on the light poles the line the pseudo street in front of the computer commons. I did a walk around the building. (The 3 sides of the building, it’s connected to the bookstore which I didn’t go into) I was shocked, not one camera spying on me! What? Was I not special enough to be watched by the computer geeks inside the computer commons? Well, I swallowed my pride and walked into the building to find out.

As soon as I walked into the computer commons (the main entrance) I saw the first camera. It was mounted on the wall inside the building and was pointing towards the inside of the atrium.

It wasn’t easy to find this camera, I had to turn around to see it, and it soon became apparent to me that this camera’s purpose was to watch people leaving the computer commons. Even though the camera probably had the capability to zoom into the middle of the atrium, I believe whomever was watching this security camera was watching people leave, not watching them work. The operator was probably looking for anybody leaving with a monitor, computer printer, scanner, something along those lines. I found it hard to believe that a camera mounted on the wall pointing in was protecting students working at least 50 feet away from it, so I concluded that this camera’s purpose was most likely to protect property.

Camera #2 and #3

It wasn’t easy finding the second camera. I found it located outside the building, but attached to the part of the building that overhangs one of the side exits. This camera was also pointed inward, as to monitor the people leaving the building. There is no way this camera could see anybody inside the building because it was angled such that the entire doorway was in focus, nothing beyond that. It was only logical that this camera served the same purpose as the first camera, protection of property and watching people leave the building.

The third and last camera I found at the computer commons was also on a side exit, again angled down to focus the doors and pointed inward to watch people leave. It was nearly identical to the second camera.

Conclusions

Camera #1

Location: Main Entrance
Aimed: Inward towards atrium
Purpose: Protection of property
Notes: Has ability to focus on main atrium, but obviously not its main purpose

Camera #2

Location: Outside, West doors, South Side Exit
Aimed: Inward towards doors
Purpose: Protection of property
Notes: Impossible to be used to protect people, doesn’t have the ability to see inside building.

Camera #3

Location: Outside, West doors, North Side Exit
Aimed: Inward towards doors
Purpose: Protection of Property
Notes: Almost identical to camera #2, impossible to be used to protect people, doesn’t have the ability to see inside building.

It is my conclusion that the computer commons use of surveillance cameras is only used to protect ASU’s property. It is not surprising to discover this considering the computer commons houses over 225 computers. I was surprised to find zero cameras inside the computer commons that monitored the people using the workstations. I was also surprised to find zero camera’s outside the building overlooking the street or palm walk, however no research was done outside the immediate computer commons area.