EDITORIAL: University Out-sourcing

Out-sourcing may be moreOut-sourcing may be moreefficient, but it still must beOut-sourcing may be moreefficient, but it still must bemonitored by UniversityOut-sourcing may be moreefficient, but it still must bemonitored by Universityadministrators.Out-sourcing may be moreefficient, but it still must bemonitored by Universityadministrators.________________________________ It has been hailed by administrators as being more efficient, but one must realize it will not end service problems completely. The University has contracted private companies since 1987 when it hired McGinn Security Services to ensure residential security -- a company the University fired nearly two years ago for unsatisfactory service. The University replaced McGinn with Allied Security, which has received mixed reviews from students and administrators. At least four guards have since been fired for sleeping on the job. Students have also recently complained of poor Quadrangle security. The University also broke ties with another out-sourced company -- George Smith Towing -- after employee Herman Fields was arrested in April by University Police for driving under the influence of alcohol. Now, the University has announced its plans to replace The Book Store with a Barnes and Noble superstore slated to open in the fall of 1998. The store will be managed by the national chain and owned by the University. And Barnes and Noble will assume management of The Book Store July 1. This move should increase the University's net book sale profit and lower store prices for students. Administrators have said out-sourcing will ease the University's burden of supplying goods and services that could easily be provided by the outside market. In theory, out-sourcing is a practical means of cutting University costs and improving student services. Bringing in professionals to cater to student needs and relieve University administrators from, basically, running businesses makes sense. Costs are lowered for both the University and students, and administrators can focus on academic programming and student needs, rather than on business management. However, the University still must monitor the performance of the out-sourced companies, as the quality of services rendered directly relates to student needs. Currently, there is not a central person or committee in charge of overseeing all out-sourced services. One must be created. The private companies manage employees and business operations independently, but the University needs to monitor the companies. While out-sourcing may be more efficient, it certainly is not perfect. A group or individual within the University administration must oversee all out-sourced services to ensure that student needs are being met and quality maintained.