ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Security cameras are coming to nearly every building entrance at the University of Michigan, as part of a sweeping technology upgrade officials say will deter crime and improve emergency response.

Installation began last week outside Angell Hall and other central campus buildings, with contractors running conduit and wiring for the latest phase of the Security Technology Enhancement Project (STEP), The Daily Mail reported. 

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According to the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS), new cameras will be placed only in “public and high-traffic areas”—not inside classrooms, dorm rooms, restrooms, or other spaces where individuals have a “reasonable expectation of privacy.”

“The cameras are not used to track or evaluate everyday activities,” the university states. “This project is designed to enhance situational awareness, emergency response, and overall community protection.”

Moreover, university officials say strict safeguards are in place: the cameras do not record audio, do not use facial recognition, and are not monitored live except during emergencies or large events. Footage will be retained for 30 days and may only be accessed by trained personnel or released externally with a warrant or legal clearance from the university.

Earlier phases of the project included new camera placements around the Diag and Law Quad in May, building on existing coverage at dorm entrances, libraries, and sports facilities.

While the latest rollout targets entryways to campus buildings, DPSS says the move is part of a broader shift. Other enhancements include upgraded emergency alert systems, blue-light phones, interior door locks, and access control measures.

After more than two decades of limited use, the university says the expanded system is aimed at building “a more responsive, resilient, and well-connected campus safety ecosystem.”