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University of Michigan Debates Campus Security Cameras
Senate Assembly raises concerns over surveillance and impact on free speech
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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The University of Michigan Senate Assembly met to discuss the increase in security cameras on campus as part of the Department of Public Safety & Security's Security Technology Enhancement Project. While the department claims the cameras are meant to improve campus safety, some Assembly members expressed concerns that the cameras have lessened students' trust in DPSS and deterred free speech and protest.
Why it matters
The debate over campus security cameras highlights the ongoing tension between safety and civil liberties on college campuses. While the university aims to protect students, faculty and staff, some argue the cameras infringe on privacy and free expression rights.
The details
DPSS installed 6-10 new cameras on the Diag, in the Law Quadrangle, and on North Campus, citing the need to monitor large crowds. However, some Assembly members said the cameras have made students less willing to call DPSS or exercise their First Amendment rights, alleging the footage has been used against student protesters. DPSS said it generally does not share footage but can do so for criminal cases referred to the administration.
- The Senate Assembly meeting took place on Monday, February 24, 2026.
- DPSS began installing new security cameras after a lack of functioning cameras hindered a sexual assault investigation in the Ford Motor Company Robotics Building.
The players
Derek Peterson
Chair of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs.
Richard Arnold
Interim executive director of the Division of Public Safety & Security at the University of Michigan.
Charlotte Karem Albrecht
A member of the University of Michigan Senate Assembly.
Rebekah Modrak
An Art & Design professor at the University of Michigan.
Rogério Meireles Pinto
The Senate Secretary at the University of Michigan.
What they’re saying
“There is no legal reason why we couldn't bring back some parts of what the ODEI had done. We will see what the future holds, but for the moment, myself and others in faculty government will continue to push as hard as we can around these matters.”
— Derek Peterson, Chair of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (michigandaily.com)
“After the fact, it was discovered that there were no functional security cameras that aided in that investigation whatsoever. As I understand, there was a charge then given to DPSS to take a look at what technologies we have — where we can make improvements that would support safety and security here on campus.”
— Richard Arnold, Interim executive director of the Division of Public Safety & Security (michigandaily.com)
“One of the effects of the proliferation of these security cameras, the other disciplinary actions and the active surveillance and suppression of student protest is that, increasingly, students and other individuals on campus are less willing to call DPSS. I can tell you a huge swath of the community actively does not feel safe or secure on campus because of these measures.”
— Charlotte Karem Albrecht, University of Michigan Senate Assembly member (michigandaily.com)
“Even though it says online on DPSS's site that the footage will not be shared, we know that it was in fact shared with OSCR and used to make complaints against students. We know that students are afraid to use their First Amendment rights to protest because they worry that they'll be cherry picked and retaliated against with complaints, so the cameras and the way that the footage is being used are deterring protests.”
— Rebekah Modrak, Art & Design professor (michigandaily.com)
“They are not there to make me safe — they are there to surveil me, and that's maybe semantics, but this is exactly how I feel. We are not really sure how much a lot of cameras actually protect us. … It seems to me, a lot of decisions were made without really clear evidence as to how these things would actually work and very little concern about how we felt inside of our skin, particularly people who are minoritized.”
— Rogério Meireles Pinto, Senate Secretary (michigandaily.com)
What’s next
The Senate Assembly will continue editing a statement expressing concerns about increased surveillance at the University at their next meeting in March.
The takeaway
The debate over security cameras on the University of Michigan campus highlights the ongoing tension between campus safety and civil liberties. While the university aims to improve security, some faculty and students feel the cameras infringe on privacy and free expression rights, deterring them from engaging with campus authorities or exercising their First Amendment rights.
