The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Opinions

Big Brother?

A camera in a campus classroom leaves us with more questions than answers.

There's a camera in Park 139, and although we've asked questions about the purpose, price and use, we're still not sure what to think about it. In fact, we have many unanswered questions:

Why won't anyone tell us the price? Isn't it funded through University money?

What exactly is it used for?

Why is the camera there if no one can use it?

If it is used, will students be notified?

The camera was bought last spring when the English department had money left over in its technology fund. Although Red & Black reporter Daniel Burnett asked, no one would tell him how much it cost. He searched online and found that the camera model costs about $700. And no one seems to know what it does now.

Oksana Lutsyshyna, a Comparative Literature professor, tried to use the camera this semester but said it didn't work.

Douglas Anderson, head of the English department, said he doesn't think it works.

English professor Hubert McAlexander said it doesn't matter if it works because "rather than using any kind of technology to get points across, I simply use my mouth and hands."

Students who have class in the room said they weren't notified it was there, but will they be told in the future if it's turned on?

If all else fails, Tom Beggs of the Center for Teaching and Learning said it's on if a red light is visible.

- Carolyn Crist for the editorial board

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