Rush in running for Public Safety post

With less than two weeks to go before Vice President for Public Safety Thomas Seamon officially steps down, speculation about who will fill his shoes seems to be pointing heavily in one direction. Although officials have said they will conduct a national search, many in the division say University Police Chief Maureen Rush seems to be the most likely candidate. Rush, who has served as police chief since 1996 and is the only internal candidate, will run Public Safety on an interim basis after Seamon officially steps down at the end of the month. During her seven years at Penn, she has also led the Special Services Department. The head of Public Safety oversees the division's three departments -- Special Services, Fire and Occupational Safety and the Penn Police force -- and coordinates the activities of security service contractors. Many members of the division spoke highly of Rush, saying they think her experience -- she started working for the Philadelphia Police Department in 1974 -- would make her a good candidate. Others, however criticized her for being overbearing. Seamon himself, who was unable to be reached for comment last night, said last week that Rush has been instrumental in the improvement of the division over the past five years. "Maureen has been my right hand person.... We finish each other's sentences, that's how close we are," Seamon said. And Special Services Director Patricia Brennan said she thought Rush would be a good selection because she has headed up both Special Services and the police force. "She's a very brilliant woman," Brennan said. "She would be a wonderful successor to Tom Seamon. She sees the whole picture because she's done it all." Others, however, expressed doubt about Rush's possible appointment. "I'm not a big fan of hers," said one member of the department, who asked that his name not be used. "I really liked [Seamon]. I liked his style a lot better than her style.... Some people think she's abrasive." Another employee of the department acknowledged that some staff members are ambivalent about Rush's management style. "I know that there are certain people who took Tom's laid-back style as not being as attentive," the employee said. "By the same token, some may see Maureen's style as being a bit much." The employee said he sees Rush's management technique as hands-on, rather than abrasive. Other UPPD insiders felt that Rush's aggressive management style would be an asset for Public Safety. "I think she'll be great [as interim vice president]," Community Relations Officer Stacy Livingston said. "She's a very strong personality. She'll see something and she goes to get it done.... Should [the position] be offered to her and should she accept it, it would be a fine thing." Deputy Chief of Investigations Tom King said that he feels an internal candidate would be the best choice. "The person that would come in from the outside would have to possess incredible abilities to marinate themselves in the culture of the department," King said. "It's borderline prohibitive." But Executive Vice President John Fry disagreed, saying that "a good, smart leader will be able to find his or her way around." While Rush said she is "very much interested in the position," she also said she has the best interests of Public Safety at heart. "I want the best for the division and the best for the University," Rush said. "Should that person be me, fine, but we can't get into egos there." If Rush gets the job, she will be the highest ranking openly gay official at the University. She said she does not feel her sexuality has made any difference in her career, either positively or negatively. "It's never been an issue for me either way," Rush said. Seamon is leaving his post to become the CEO of TrainLogic, Inc., a Pennsylvania security training and consulting firm. Fry said he hopes to hire a replacement by winter break. The screening committee to choose Seamon's replacement will consist of Fry, Associate Provost Barbara Lowery, Vice President for Business Services Leroy Nunery, Vice President for Human Resources John Heuer and former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Tucker. After the committee reviews all applications for the job, the applicants will go before the University Council Committee on Safety, the tri-chairs of the Faculty Senate and the University Committee on Public Safety. At that point, the remaining applicants will meet with University President Judith Rodin and James Riepe, chairman of the Board of Trustees.