U. officials looking for guard firms

McGinn is on firing line The University is looking at other security firms as alternatives to McGinn Security Services, in the event that the agreement between the University and McGinn is terminated next month, Director of Purchasing Robert Michel said yesterday. Michel said the University is familiar with several other guard services. "It is not like we're going into this [like] we're going to have to reinvent the wheel," he said. The Daily Pennsylvanian reported last week that five guards were found asleep on the job in University dormitories. Officials from the Offices of Residential Living, Purchasing, the Vice Provost for University Life and Public Safety met with the president and vice-president of McGinn Security Services yesterday to discuss the contractual obligations between the firm and the University. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum and Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone notified McGinn last Friday that the University is considering termination of its agreement with the firm. In the next 30 days, the University is required to conduct "good faith" discussions with the guard firm in an attempt to avoid termination. Yesterday's meeting was the first of these discussions. Michel said he will serve as University spokesperson regarding yesterday's meeting and all future discussions with McGinn Security Services. Simeone and other University officials refused to comment about the meeting. One of the major points made at the meeting, according to Michel, is that the University wants to see McGinn take specific action in order to improve the on-the-job performance of its guards. "In light of security breaches, we have asked McGinn to present to us a number of things which would include steps they will take to assure the University there will be no recurrences," Michel said. McGinn Security Services Vice President Joseph McGinn, Jr. refused to comment about any specific actions that the firm is taking concerning the recent lapses in residential security. Several McGinn guards across campus, though, said they had been given a letter from the firm, dated March 22, which outlined policies and procedures, specifically dealing with sleeping on the job. "We met today and covered a number of topics," McGinn said. "We presented our side of the story." McGinn added that after another meeting next week, he may be willing to discuss some of the specific actions that the firm will take. Michel said Simeone and University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich were also present at the meeting, as well as two University students. He would not, however, identify the students. By April 18, the group of University community members that have attended these meetings will recommend to McCoullum whether to terminate the contract with McGinn. The final decision will then lie with her. McCoullum was out of town yesterday and was not present at the meeting.

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