Use of Security Cameras

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Policy Number:
UW-402
Responsible Office:
UW-Madison Police Department

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to regulate the procurement, placement, installation, and appropriate use of security cameras on university owned or controlled property in any location.

Definitions:
Security Camera
A camera used for monitoring locations for the purposes of enhancing public safety, monitoring restricted areas or equipment, to discourage theft and other criminal activities, and for preventing, investigating, and resolving incidents.
Scope:

This policy applies to all members of the of UW-Madison community, including faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors, and contractors.

This policy does not apply to:

  • Video recording equipment use by UW-Madison Police Department (UWPD) for evidentiary or investigative purposes
  • Cameras used for academic and research purposes
  • Video equipment used for the recording of public events or for broadcast, educational or operational purposes (e.g., athletic events, concerts, lectures, interviews)

The UW-Madison Police Department may grant specific exemptions for individual cameras on a per-case basis to be used for medical monitoring without recording.

Policy:

  1. Approval and Installation

    1. Use of security cameras must be approved by UW-Madison Police Department (UWPD) prior to procurement and/or final project approval.
    2. UWPD must approve the placement and installation of security cameras for all projects (e.g., capital projects, small remodels, buildings wanting to add cameras, leased spaces).
    3. All costs for procurement, installation, and maintenance of security cameraswill be the responsibility of the appropriate project budget or the department/unit making the request.
    4. No security camera will be installed on university owned or controlled property in any location for which there is a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., restrooms, locker rooms, residence hall rooms).
    5. Security cameras that are not for official university use, or on the UW-Madison centralized system, are prohibited.

  2. Access and Monitoring

    1. The existence of this policy does not imply or guarantee that security cameras will be monitored in real time, continuously or otherwise.
    2. All security cameras must be on the UW Madison centralized camera system maintained by UW Madison Police Department.

  3. Consequences for Noncompliance

    1. UWPD reserves the right to remove or disable security cameras not compliant with this policy.
    2. Failure to comply with this policy may result in employee discipline up to and including termination.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
Policy Manager:
Chief of Police
Contact:
Infrastructure Security Camera Director -- Kevin Sopha, kevin.sopha@wisc.edu, (608) 890-4400
Effective Date:
10-01-2014
Revised Dates:

08-01-2018, 05-07-2026

Reviewed Dates:

05-06-2026

Retrieved:
05-23-2026 22:20:07