Tower The Masters School
VOLUME 70, NUMBER 5
49 Clinton Avenue Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. 10522
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014
tower.mastersny.org
Recent theft and vandalism spark security versus privacy discussion Rajan Cutting Tony Rosenberg Opinion Editor Sports Editor In the wake of violent attacks in schools across America, schools have stepped up efforts to increase security measures. Meanwhile, here at Masters, even with the key card entries installed on all buildings on campus this year, acts of thievery and vandalism occur. Specifically, three school-issued computers were stolen and personal items in the boys’ locker room were vandalized within the last six weeks. These recent cases have forced the community to evaluate how effective our security system is and how easily it is compromised. How do security cameras fit into the equation of keeping the community and their possessions safe? How aware are students that they are video recorded in and outside of buildings on campus? One of the stolen computers belonged to Brian Cheney, history and religion teacher. As far as possible motives go, Cheney said, “The most obvious reason is that there is a lot of money that can be made off of selling these types of electronics.” On a positive note, the school has replaced all three computers that were stolen. However, despite the school’s quick diligence in replacing the computers, it appeared to be outside of the norm. Head of the Upper School Matt Ives said, “These things don’t usually happen in our community.” In an effort to better understand how and where closed circuit video surveillance is used on campus, particularly in relation to these incidents, Tower attempted to interview the Director of Safety and Security Fernando Mejia, the Director of Business and Finance Bob Rooney and Director of Technology Dan Pereira. All three declined to be interviewed for this story. However, Mejia did give a brief statement via email in response to several questions posed. Mejia wrote, “CCTV cameras are set in several points on campus where we consider incidents of intrusion, theft, traffic, vehicles security and other safety issues are more likely to take place. Since we have an open campus and the access to our buildings is not 100%, controlled cameras and video surveillance are very important tools in our effort to keep us safe. The fact that potential intruders know that there are cameras around the school is already a crime deterrent. Some cameras are visible and some are not so visible. There are no cameras in places where personal privacy is an issue like bathrooms or dormitory rooms.” In addition, Head of the Upper School Matt Ives met with reporters twice to go share his insights into the situation. He said security cameras on campus allow the school to open facili-
ties for students use beyond the traditional school hours. He said, “We have a lot of valuable things in the music building that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.” In regard to weekend use of the facility, Ives said, “We do not have any faculty willing to spend hours in the music building supervising so we decided to put in a few more cameras. The kids know if they misuse any instruments, they are going to get caught so they probably aren’t going to do those things. Because of that we feel comfortable allowing them to use it.” Ives continued by saying that security footage is only reviewed when a violation of some rule becomes evident. For example, Ives explained, the smell of marijuana, a broken piano, a stolen computer or anything else that is clearly wrong would prompt footage review. Junior Shirin Sharma wasn’t even aware security cameras are in place, but she thinks that the school needs more and students should be aware of them. She said, “I would feel safer on campus knowing there were security cameras.” Senior Leigh Grier disagrees. She said, “Masters definitely doesn’t need more cameras. The idea of being watched at a school like this is crazy.” According to districtadministration.com, someone who is videotaped in public has no expectation of privacy. Places in a school where privacy is a reasonable expectation includes bathrooms, locker rooms, dorm rooms and the infirmary. Courts have also decided what an individual knowingly exposes in public will not grant him or her privacy protection. This raises the important question of whether or not the school should post signs to indicate that certain areas are being supervised by camera. Ives believes broadcasting locations of cameras is counterproductive. Security cameras are meant to be a danger deterrent. If people knew where they were, it wouldn’t be so effective. However, he did suggest that if there were a certain place, such as a specific stairwell, where couples liked to have alone time, it would be a good idea to post a sign indicating that video surveillance was in use. At present, Tower was unable to locate any locations with signs on campus indicating video surveillance is in use. In an email correspondence, Rooney said that the security procedures in place must be kept confidential for the community’s safety. “We do take this seriously and work hard to make a safe community and to deter security breaches,” he said. Finally, Ives said, “I do worry, are we creating a Big Brother state where we are always watching students. What does that say about our school? Do we not trust our students?” It remains unclear what role the review of security footage played in the theft and vandalism incidences.
SANG BAE/TOWER
ACADEMIC ROCK STARS Mikelle Sacco, Kristin Tregar, Ronica Bhattacharya, Matt Ives, Vincent Galgano and Judy Murphy rehearse Fleetwood Mac’s “I Don’t Want to Know” for the school’s third annual rock concert, Great Gig in the Sky. This will be the first time that faculty members perform alongside students in the show.
Musical groups organize for annual Great Gig in the Sky Ariel Censor Copy Editor/Managing Editor
This year’s Great Gig in the Sky, a multi-media performance of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, will take place today, Friday, May 2 and tomorrow, Saturday at 7 p.m. in the theatre and represent a more exclusive slice of talent on campus. The performers will include those in established groups on campus, such as Jazz Band, Dohters and Dobbs 16. Sophomore Maya Bater, a cast member of the show, believes that this change has its benefits, but also its drawbacks. “I believe the reason those in charge of organizing the performance chose to make it like that [almost exclusively using established groups] is because it means more assurance that groups are on track with songs; the teachers know they’ll be ready for the performance,” she said. “However, I do think it’s kind of sad that there weren’t more opportunities for other individual groups to get a song. In the past, it was cool that all these artistic students at Masters could come together and make a whole show rather than just groups that already exist.” The show’s choreographer, Janie Wallace, believes that by including these groups in the performance, a unique opportunity is created for different facets of the community to collaborate. “Great Gig in the Sky showcases these smaller groups
that have been working together,” she said. “It’s really cool to see them all come together for the finale.” All but two of the songs will be performed by pre-existing groups. The last song on the album, “Gold Dust Woman”, features students who signed up that aren’t already part of the previously named groups. In addition, for the first time, a faculty band will croon “I Don’t Want to Know.” Because this is the third Great Gig in the Sky, according to its cast members, the group has become much more organized. “We get to use class time, so we have a lot more time to rehearse,” junior Charlie Woll, who has been in all of the Great Gig in the Sky performances thus far, said. “Last year and even the first year, no one really had their stuff together; it was miracle it all worked out. But this year, we’ve been working on it since we got back from winter break, so we’re really well prepared.” Gilles Pugatch, musical director and director of sound, shared additional changes to this year’s show. “We will be constructing a production that is ambitious from a multi-media standpoint. We will be mixing live feed video with special effects, along with prerecorded stock footage that will be projected on the screen. We will also be introducing intelligent lighting (moving lights) for the first time at Masters.” Pugatch also explained how Rumours was selected. “In addition to being a masterpiece, we wanted to choose a record showcasing the con-
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tribution of women to the popular music art form.” He said that at a time when the music business was a heavily male-dominated industry, successful strong women songwriters were a really rare commodity. Another major difference is the change in genre from last year. “Considering it’s pop music rather than dance music or Pink Floyd, it will probably include a lot more involvement from the crowd,” Woll said. This year, to capitalize on audience participation and to link the event back to the school’s water theme, the show will have a special VIP section where members will be able to stand up and be part of the performance. In order to gain admittance to this section, crowd members will have to pay a fee of $10 and wear all white. Proceeds from the VIP tickets will benefit The Water Project to help fund the building of a well in Africa. Even though these changes have affected the way the Great Gig in the Sky has been prepped and rehearsed, Bater believes the energy of the show will be as high as ever. “I’m so excited to get all dressed up and go all out for the show. It’s like being part of a real, live concert with your friends,” she said. “Everyone’s all hyped up and excited to perform with each other. Although I’m a bit nervous, I’m so happy to be a part of this.” Bater isn’t the only one who’s revved up for the show. Pugatch’s final words of advice for concert goers: “Doors are at 6:30. Get here early. It is always sold out.”