An $80,000 upgrade to Campus Watch's control room will allow for more hands on deck during emergencies.
The control room has doubled in size after a renovation of the University of Otago's 24-hour security team's offices, deputy proctor Andrew Ferguson said.
The ''state of the art'' technology gave users greater flexibility as to what they monitored and how it was monitored.
''We are the only ones in New Zealand that have these particular monitors,'' Mr Ferguson said.
''It allows them more functionality ... the old system didn't allow us that flexibility. It's not just the CCTV; it's all the systems we have.''
Each of the two consoles had a 139cm screen and six 60cm screens, which allowed staff to watch the university area.
The screens also provided information about ongoing events.
''Each of the three layers on the consoles is able to be electronically adjusted to suit the operator and allow [them] to work standing up, if desired,'' he said.
''It's more user-friendly.''
The renovation also allowed more staff to work in the control room in an emergency and during major events on campus.
''Police will be welcome to come into the control room, as will any emergency services, at any stage,'' Mr Ferguson said.
The renovation upgraded Campus Watch's outdated system but it also put it ahead of the game, he said.
''I saw these consoles when I was in Australia,'' he said.
''We always wanted a bigger space and then we saw these consoles and we certainly wanted to incorporate these.''
Redundant cabling and equipment was also removed as part of the renovation, he said.
Campus Watch is organised into five teams of eight staff, who monitor the campus area 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Six people usually patrol the student area but, during the busiest nights, up to 14 Campus Watch staff can be out on the street.
Campus Watch also accompanies students who are concerned about walking home alone at night.
• The Campus Watch control room can be contacted on 479-5000.
