Penn still searching for permanent head of public safety

Another month has come and gone, and the Division of Public Safety remains without a permanent leader. Executive Vice President John Fry, who is heading the search committee, said the process is currently stalled. He said there was "nothing new" going on with the search, but also indicated that progress will be made by tomorrow. The final candidates for the job are supposed to meet with University President Judith Rodin, but Rodin would not comment last night on the selection process or about when she will be meeting with the finalists. The only internal candidate for vice president for public safety -- a position that oversees the University Police, Special Services and Fire and Occupational Safety departments -- is current University Police Chief Maureen Rush. While Fry would not say whether Rush is still a candidate for the position, Rush herself has indicated that she is indeed still in the running. Rush, who is the interim vice president for public safety, said she was scheduled for another interview this week, even though it is unclear whether or not that interview will actually take place as scheduled. "It's understandable, though," she said. "It takes a long time to get everyone's schedules worked out." Rush said she feels that once the final interviews are conducted, decisions will be made soon. "We'll see a quick turnaround once all the interviews are completed," she said. Rush also said she hopes to have the process completed before graduation. "It would be nice to see everything finished up before Commencement," Rush said. "It would be nice for the students." Fry and others have noted that Rush is an excellent and qualified candidate, and has served as an effective vice president in the interim. Throughout the selection process, Fry has not disclosed the names of any other candidates. If Rush is given the position, it would leave her former job as University Police chief open. Deputy Chief of Operations Michael Fink is serving as interim chief and has said he will apply for the job if a vacancy opens up. Rush has noted that, if the time comes to select a new police chief, the position will be filled by someone already working in the police department. The Division has gone without a permanent vice president since last October, when then-Vice President for Public Safety Thomas Seamon stepped down to become the chief executive officer of the private security firm TrainLogic. At the time of Seamon's departure, Fry said a replacement would be selected by February. But the February deadline, as well as a later end-of-March deadline, has passed. Penn received a total of 66 resumes in application for the position. This number was narrowed to nine, and then to five after a series of interviews. From those five -- which were selected by February -- one or two applicants will be selected, who will then meet with University President Judith Rodin. After the five had been selected, Fry again set a deadline for the final decision -- the end of March. The five finalists were scheduled to meet with the tri-chairpersons of the Faculty Senate, the University Council Committee on Safety, and a committee of students, faculty, staff and community members headed by School of Social Work Dean Ira Schwartz.