Dormitory guards found asleep on job

Long Island, N.Y. As a result of the incident, the University terminated its contract with McGinn, which provides guard services to dormitories, four years before it was set to expire. In the early morning hours of March 16, five guards were photographed in a two-hour period sleeping at their posts in dorms across campus. A month long investigation into the firm's performance ensued, and three separate reports were written on the topic of residential security. One was written by a team of independent security consultants, another by a sleep disorder expert and the last by a committee of University officials, students and staff members. On April 22, after reviewing all the data, acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said the University would terminate its agreement with McGinn, effective June 30. McCoullum and Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said a new contract for residential security will be drawn up and area security firms will bid on it. McGinn will be allowed to rebid, but if it does not receive the contract, a new security firm will be in place by July 1, McCoullum said. This could end the turbulent history between McGinn Security Services and the University. Since 1986, when McGinn first started providing services to the University, guards have alleged poor supervision, training and background checks, and a guard with a criminal record was once hired. Joseph McGinn, Sr., president of McGinn Security Services, said he regrets these mistakes, adding that no similar incidents have taken place since. He said that he has met with a sleep disorder expert at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to discuss ways in which the problem of sleeping guards can be addressed. McGinn has not yet decided whether or not to rebid for the contract although it is worth almost $1 million and accounts for approximately 80 percent of the firm's total business. McCoullum said she regrets that McGinn employees may lose their jobs if the firm does not receive the University's contract but that ensuring the utmost in security services for students was her primary concern. "This is difficult but I think we made the right decision," she said. McCoullum also recommended on April 22 that jurisdiction over residential security be transferred to Executive Vice President Janet Hale and University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich. Interim President Claire Fagin approved this recommendation, which will be effective in December. The Department of Residential Living currently oversees issues concerning residential security. In the report by independent security consultants Carl Kellem of Kellem Associates and Tony Gnolfo of IBM Security, it was suggested that residential security no longer be under the watch of Residential Living. The two consultants reported that the two people responsible for safety and security in dorms, Gordon Rickards, assistant director of Safety, Security and Facilities, and Joe Kirk, manager of Safety and Security, do not have security backgrounds or any security training. Richard Schwab, a sleep disorder expert at HUP, concluded that the Residential Living policies of not allowing McGinn guards to eat, drink or listen to a radio while on the job actually helped to contribute to drowsiness. With these concerns in mind, Simeone said she is prepared to transfer control of residential security issues to the Department of Public Safety. "We always knew what was on the horizon," she said. "We are looking forward to working with Commissioner Kuprevich." McCoullum said it is vital for the University to invest in updated technology, such as new ID scanners, in order to improve residential security. And Director of Public Safety George Clisby said the University should consider having security guards do more than just sit at their posts and check IDs He said guards could be given the added responsibilities of patrolling student floors and the exteriors of buildings. Regardless of what responsibilities the guards will have or which firm will receive the contract, McCoullum said the new agreement will have strict performance guidelines and standards for the guards. "This will be a tough contract," she said. The previous agreement with McGinn lacked any specific references to guard performance.

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