Res Living: No policy changes needed

The Department of Residential Living has not developed a plan to deal with this week's report of inadequate performance and policy violations by department employees, according to Director of Residential Living Gigi Simeone. Although Simeone met with officials from the Department of Public Safety this week, she said she stands by her department's current policies and performance and does not plan to take any new actions. Earlier this week, The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that Residential Living personnel have been cited for over 100 incidents of inadequate performance, policy violations and improper behavior, according to documents obtained from a source in High Rise North. The infractions included leaving posts unattended, sleeping and watching television while on duty and not following proper procedures involving identification and security. Simeone said, however, that her department will continue to follow up "quickly and effectively" on any problems that are discovered. "There is no new game plan since the story came out -- we will continue what we have always done," Simeone said, adding that she hopes students will contact the department if they notice any residential security problems. "If they see anyone not doing their job properly, they should notify us," Simeone said, adding that her goal is to achieve the "highest possible level of security in the residences." She added that over 50 Residential Living employees have been fired this year alone due to incidents such as those reported in the documents obtained by the DP. One employee, a Hill House desk receptionist named Lillian Blair, was cited more than any other worker in the documents. While on duty, Blair was found sleeping and watching television at her post, failing to properly identify a student, absent from her post and behaving "improperly." Blair was at her post at Hill House last night, and said in a telephone interview that the reports were "blatant lies. "A lot of it is not true," she said. "Speak to some of the students and see what they say about my conduct and personality." University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said that he is working with Simeone to ensure that residences have, "the best level of security that can be had. "We in public safety are working very closely with Res Living," he said. "We may be coming from different directions, but we're going to do it collectively." Simeone refused to comment on Blair's status with the Department of Residential Living.