Electronic Recording and Privacy Policy

Soka University of America follows California state law regarding a person’s right to privacy (CA Penal Code § 632) and therefore places limits on where, when, and how individuals may electronically record others.

In settings where confidential communication may take place or where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, electronic recording is prohibited unless all parties being recorded consent to such recording. Building interior areas where individuals may have a reasonable expectation of privacy include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Residence halls (community spaces, lounges, student rooms, hallways)
• Academic buildings (classrooms, labs, hallways, faculty offices)
• Administrative buildings (lounges, staff offices, meeting spaces, service areas)
• Recreation and athletic facilities (gymnasium, weight rooms, exercise rooms)
• Soka Instructional Garden buildings

In some instances, recording may take place in these spaces without consent of all participants under specific circumstances, such as recording a classroom lecture to accommodate a person with a disability. In such cases, permission to record will follow established procedures and individuals within the spaces will be notified that such recording will take place.

This policy does not apply to recording in settings open to the public where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy including, but not limited to, the following:

• Campus Security cameras
• Athletic events
• Artistic or creative performances
• Law enforcement activity covered by other state or federal laws.
• Video conferencing such as streamed/broadcast lectures, trainings, or promotional events