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(04/21/00 9:00am)
The fate of McGinn Security Services' agreement with the University to provide guard service in residence halls will be announced tomorrow by acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum. A report released by a committee of University officials, students and staff members earlier this week lists three courses of actions the University can take. One option is to terminate the contract with McGinn within 30 days. Another possibility is for the University to place the security firm on a 90-day probationary period. If there are any performance standard violations during this period, the agreement would be immediately terminated. Finally, the University can terminate the contract on June 30 of this year, four years earlier than when the contract is set to expire. If this is done, McGinn would have to rebid, along with other security firms, in order to receive the contract. Regardless of what McCoullum decides concerning McGinn, problems with residential security have been highlighted during the process and must still be addressed. Simply firing McGinn, if this is what the University decides to do, is not the ultimate solution to residential security problems, University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich has said repeatedly throughout the investigation. It still remains to be seen whether any other guard firm in the area will be able to provide better services for the University if the current residential security policy remains the same. A team of independent security consultants, in a report prepared for the Department of Public Safety, recommended that "the security function be re-organized and that security management, operators, programs and career development responsibilities be transferred to the Department of Public Safety." Residential security issues are currently handled by the Residential Living Department. And it was Residential Living, and not McGinn Security Services, that refused to allow guards to eat or drink at guard posts. Richard Schwab, a sleep expert at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, wrote in a report that this policy is a mistake and actually increases the likelihood that guards will fall asleep. Guards are now allowed to eat and drink at their posts as a result of these findings. Another concern with residential security is the fact that the security guards really only have one function, to check identification cards. Director of Public Safety George Clisby said guards should be given more responsibilities, such as patrolling student floors and the exteriors of buildings. If the University decides to have McGinn and other firms bid for a new contract, it will need to amend the contract to make sure specific guidelines for performance standards and responsibilities for the guards are explicitly stated. "Clearly no contract will be purchased with anyone that has no reference to performance standards," Interim President Claire Fagin said earlier this week. And McCoullum has said in the past month that the University has been looking into the possibility of investing in new technology such as the installation of ID scanners on the outside of buildings. She also said that it is important that the funding necessary for the improvement of residential security is raised. Last year, when Residential Living wanted to hire another roving guard from McGinn to patrol all the residences, it found there was no money in its budget to pay for this. Joseph McGinn Sr., president of McGinn Security Services, wound up paying for the additional guard at his own expense, Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said. But McCoullum said Monday that regardless of the cost, improving residential security is a priority.
(11/11/94 10:00am)
New challenges face fraternities and sororities after centuries of ups and downs Stacey Sarfatti and Jill Tanen As fraternities and sororities prepare to confront the future, new challenges are sure to await them. Among these are the University's interaction with the Greek system, members participation in community service and the need to inform the University community about student interests. Fraternity and sorority presidents describe the relationship between the University's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and the students in the Greek system as a good one. They attribute this positive connection to OFSA's willingness to respond to the need for change. The implication of this relationship, they added, is a future that includes more student involvement and input. Alpha Epsilon Pi President Gregg Adelman said OFSA is supportive of the Greek system even when there are other parts of the University administration that are pressuring for changes in the system. "OFSA is not out to get us," the College junior said. Adelman cites OFSA's reaction to the Commission on Strengthening the Community's recommendation to delay fraternity and sorority rush until sophomore year as an example of cooperation between OFSA and the Greek system. "OFSA agrees that if change is done then changes should be done with the consultation of OFSA," Adelman said. Ultimately, a decision about rush in the Greek system will be made by higher levels of the University administration, but OFSA will have to implement the decision. Wendy Rottenberg, president of Phi Sigma Sigma, agreed that OFSA works well in organizing day-to-day activities for the Greek system. "The Greek Social Action Committee is under reorganization," she said. "OFSA has been helping out in that area." OFSA Director Tricia Phaup said in an interview earlier this week that in the last two years an emphasis has been placed on giving more control of the Greek system to students. The Greek Peer Judicial Board is an example of this. The GPJB is a group of students from the three Greek umbrella organizations that enforces the Greek system's alcohol policies. Two student members, in addition to a member of the Greek Alumni Council, go around to fraternity and sorority parties to make sure that houses are not violating any alcohol policies. Rottenberg said the GPJB, in conjunction with OFSA, holds hearings to decide how chapters who have violated alcohol policies are to be punished. She added that these chapters are usually put on social probation. Adelman said unless a chapter has a severe violation of the policy, generally the matter is handled internally by the GPJB and OFSA. Flagrant violations can be reported to the University's judicial system, he added. Aside from maintaining a positive relationship with the administration, Greek officials also said that ties with the University community and the Philadelphia community at-large are an important component of Greek life. They added that this component relies heavily on philanthropic events, and some commented that they see these as playing a larger and larger part of fraternity and sorority goings-on. Rottenberg said she has observed a growing tendency towards charity in recent months. "We're definitely trying to include a lot more community service into our program," she said. "Phi Sig tries to do whatever the sisters want to do, and recently we've had a lot more requests to do more community service activities." The College senior added that this increase in charitable events has helped to foster a better relationship with the public. "I think it's improved over the years, for the reason that we've been doing more programs and events," she said of the relationship. Beta Theta Pi President Ira Weidhorn said he has not noticed any recent change in the amount of community service his house provides, but said that Beta has traditionally made philanthropy a regular part of fraternity life. "I'd say we're pretty constant in our involvement year to year," said the College and Wharton senior. "We try to have the same number of events a year, and try to focus our energies on stuff that has been successful." Andrew Cowen, social chair for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, said the goal of his house is not simply to contribute to charitable causes or to foster an image of a positive social atmosphere, but to do so in a way that encompasses the entire University community. Cowen cited the September "bed race" hosted by his fraternity as one such unifying occasion. He said the event served a dual purpose by both raising money for the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania and by recruiting and thereby bringing together both Greeks and non-Greeks. "We think the event is a great unifying factor," said the Wharton sophomore. "Members of the entire community get together and have a good time." Cowen added that while social and philanthropic doings are important, the general reputation of a house should project an image that is both diversified but cohesive and welcoming. He said the most significant obligation of his house is "to provide a house where a lot of different people can come and feel comfortable, whether it's a party or just hanging around. "I'd like [people] to view us as a diversified house that cares about its community and wants to add nothing but positive things to the University," he added. Delta Delta Delta sorority President Melissa London agreed that giving to the University is a top priority when it comes to Greek life. London alluded to the pancake breakfast that her house sponsored earlier in the semester, which raised more than $3,000 for children's cancer research. "I know philanthropy has always been a big goal of ours," said the College senior. "Obviously we want to contribute in the future. We hope to keep on growing." The future holds not only a growth of events and activities, but an expansion of the Greek system as a whole. Although Greek organizations in the past have primarily provided a social outlet for students, new organizations are rapidly being founded to appeal to specific interests of students. Kappa Delta Phi is the first Asian American interest sorority that has been recognized by the University. It is currently applying for recognition by the Bicultural Inter-Greek Council. "We started Kappa Delta Phi so that women with Asian American interests could have a formalized voice on campus," said College junior Charissa Huan, president of KDPhi. The sorority does not aim to be purely social. Rather it concentrates on community service projects and educational lectures on Asian American issues. "Our aim is to help challenge the lives of Kappa Delta Phi sisters and expand their horizons," Huan added. "To do this we would like to provide role models, who have a connection to Asian American interests." Already this year the sorority has presented a lecture entitled, "Decisions, Decisions...Culture Career and Compromise." The lecture's aim was to discuss the evolving roles and perceptions of Asian Pacific American women in society. Other Greek organization under the umbrella of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council are also seeking to increase Greek participation in community service projects. Acacia, a fraternity that has been absent for a year and a half, has returned with six new members. Their objective as a fraternity is to concentrate on academia and community service. This year all members are volunteering at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "The new Acacia is an alternative to traditional Greek organizations," said College junior Adam Coates, president of Acacia, "Our fraternity's motto is involvement in strategic human service. We believe in forming a close tie with a certain organization and devoting our time volunteering there." Coates added that as more Greek organizations are forced to deal with issues of discipline, more fraternities will focus more time to community service projects. In the eyes of most students, the Greek system does not seem to be diminished in any way as a viable social and community service option. "Interest in joining a brotherhood or sisterhood will not diminish any time soon," said Wharton freshman Darren Levy. "One of the great aspects of the University is the social life provided by the Greek system." College freshman Randy Stein added that "for new students, the Greek system is their first introduction to college life. I think it will remain strong, if not grow in the future."
(11/07/94 10:00am)
The Greek system at the University is one of the oldest institutions on campus today. As early as the 1770s, Greek letter literary societies have existed on campus. And Phi Beta Kappa was founded at the University in 1776. However, it was not until the mid-19th century that social fraternities first appeared at the University. In 1849, the first social fraternity, Delta Phi, formed a chapter at the University. Phi Kappa Sigma and Zeta Psi followed a year later. These Greek letter groups, which were kept secret, formed as a response to the more scholarly literary societies. By 1900, more than 20 fraternity chapters existed on campus. Psi Upsilon, founded in 1891, had the first fraternity house on campus in the Castle. And while the fraternity no longer has a chapter on campus, their house still stands and is one of the most recognizable buildings on the University's campus. In the beginning of the 20th century, college presidents at other universities were voicing opposition to the formation of fraternities, but the University's administration pledged support for them. In 1910, the University's chief executive officer, Provost Edgar Fahs Smith Eencouraged men to join fraternities, and requested that fraternities support the Christian Association and become a factor in the Bible study movement. But as more and more fraternities formed on campus, the University was forced to come up with not only recommendations, but regulations to govern them. One of the most controversial aspects of the fraternity system is the process of "rushing," when new students look at all the fraternities and decide which they want to pledge -- and as early as 1911, the University and the fraternities had conflicts about how rush should be run. The University threatened to abolish the entire process until the administration reached an agreement with the fraternities on the logistics of rush, with guidelines that fraternities were required to follow. Fraternities were not permitted to start rush until the Thursday before classes started or to give out bid invitations until the first Monday of December. Pledge candidates were not allowed to spend a night in a fraternity house until the second Monday in December. As students from other schools, especially those from women's colleges, came to campus to attend fraternity events, fraternities began to develop a somewhat raucous reputation. Even back so far as 1928, Lynn Harris, president of the Beaver College for Women, wrote a letter to the University's provost, claiming irately that Beaver College students exposed to "open drunkenness" at the University, and would be prohibited from attending future parties. "We do not feel justified in sending [our students] into conditions which might tempt them, or afford them opportunities to be other than ladies," she wrote. In addition to the emerging issue of bawdy behavior, as more and more fraternities formed on campus, questions of fraternity house ownership and responsibility for maintenance became more of an issue, leading to the creation of a Fraternity Study Committee in the 1950s. In 1958, the committee issued a report focusing on University-owned fraternity houses, which established guidelines and regulations for the management and maintenance of fraternity properties. The Interfraternity Council, the umbrella organization representing the University's fraternities, played an active role in organizing campus social events during the 1960s. In 1967, the IFC brought one of the most famous entertainers in music history to the University -- Sammy Davis Jr. He performed a concert that year at the Palestra. The IFC is not the only Greek organization with a history at the University; as the 20th century progressed, Greek organizations for women and minorities began to form on campus. The first sorority, Delta Delta Delta, established a chapter at the University in 1904. Six more chapters formed before 1926. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Tricia Phaup said membership in sororities increased over the following decades and hit a peak in the 1960s, waning in the 1970s. Many chapters were forced to leave campus in the early 1970s because the alumni could not financially support houses with low membership, Phaup said. The Panhellenic Council itself, the umbrella organization that governs the University's sororities, was absent from campus from 1973 to 1978 as a result of low membership. Phaup said only the chapters of Kappa Delta and Chi Omega survived the low membership of the 1970s. Several sororities which had left in the early '70s returned later that decade and during the early 1980s as interest in joining sororities increased again. Fraternities for minority groups also started to form in the early 20th century. Delta Sigma Theta, a sorority for African Americans, established a chapter at the University in 1918. Alpha Phi Alpha was the first black fraternity at the University, forming in 1920. As more African American fraternities and sororities formed, an umbrella group, the Black InterGreek Council was established to represent these chapters. The Black InterGreek Council later became the Bi-Cultural InterGreek Council (Big-C) in recognition of the Latino fraternities and sororities that were being founded. Lambda Upsilon Lambda, the University's first Latino fraternity, was established in 1988. In the last few years, Phaup said, the IFC, Panhel and Big-C have worked together effectively to better the Greek system. She cited the creation of the Greek Social Action Committee and the Greek Peer Judicial Board as examples of this cooperation. "The system has come together more and the three umbrella organizations set common goals together," she said. The 1980s were a time of change for the University's Greek system. With many states across the nation raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, the National Interfraternity Conference instituted "dry rush," rush proceedings not involving alcohol, in 1983. By the mid-1980s, the University's Greek system followed most of the nation's other colleges in mandating that rush events not involve consumption of alcohol. Members of the Greek system also came together in 1988 to force the ouster of Bruce Arnold, OFSA director at that time. The IFC passed a resolution stating that Arnold's directorship was ineffective, and that he was an adversary of the Greek community. Individual chapters from the IFC, Panhel and Big-C all signed petitions echoing this statement. In November 1988, Arnold was transferred to another office at the University and Phaup took his place. The 1990s pose new challenges for the Greek system at the University. In 1993 a Bring Your Own Alcohol Policy was created for fraternity and sorority parties. And in February of this year, the Commission on Strengthening the Community recommended in its preliminary report that Greek rush be postponed from freshman year to sophomore year. But, in the Commission's final report, released in April, the recommendation was changed so that rush could start in the spring of freshman year rather than sophomore year. This was a victory for the Greek system. Greek leaders had argued after the first report that a sophomore rush could eliminate some chapters since they would not be able to afford to remain in their houses. Many chapters depend on sophomores living in the chapter houses after pledging freshman year. The future of freshman rush still is uncertain. The IFC and University reached a compromise this September which, for the time being, will keep rush in the first semester of freshman year. Rush has been shortened from five weeks to three weeks and instead of having unlimited rush events, fraternities can only hold six rush events during the three-week span. Although she does not know what the impact of changing IFC rush will be, Phaup said the other two Greek groups have a later rush and have not suffered because of it. "Panhel rushes in the spring of freshman year and the Big-C doesn't rush until sophomore year," she said. "Those systems are doing fine." It is unclear whether the University will allow an abbreviated fall rush to continue next year or if it will follow the Commission's recommendation and make rush begin in the spring.
(06/30/94 9:00am)
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.
(06/30/94 9:00am)
Great Neck North High School, N.Y. Almost three years behind schedule, the Revlon Campus Center seems to finally be nearing its groundbreaking at 36th and Walnut streets. A design plan for the Center has been decided upon by Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson. He must now submit this plan to the University Board of Trustees for its approval. The Center, which was originally set to open in 1993, is now slated to be completed by 1996. Last October, Lazerson sent back design plans that placed the cost for building the center at $65 million. "We could not in good conscience go ahead with the costs as outlined," Lazerson said. The plan that Lazerson eventually approved this April will cost $36 million, according to acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum. The newest addition to the previous proposals is the inclusion of mailboxes for every residential student. Lazerson said recent mail problems may be alleviated if all mail to be delivered on-campus comes to one place -- the Revlon Center. The Center will contain an auditorium and a Black Box theater, as well as a box office, six music practice rooms and two large rehearsal rooms. Nine meeting rooms, a 24-hour study lounge, a periodical room, a music listening room and student offices for all undergraduate and graduate sections of student government will be included. The center will also include a food area whose format has yet to be specified. Lazerson said it will not be like the current food court at 3401 Walnut Street. The most intriguing aspect of this plan, however, is that it involves the construction of two buildings, a free-standing book store and the actual Revlon Campus Center. Although the cost of the Center will be less than the original $65 million price tag, the new price only takes into account construction of the Center building itself. Currently, only $11.5 million has been raised to fund the Center's construction. Revlon Chief Executive Officer and University alumnus Ron Perelman donated $10 million. The other $1.5 million has been pledged by the classes of 1966 and 1967.
(04/22/94 9:00am)
Contract open to bidders The University announced yesterday that it will terminate its current residential security contract with McGinn Security Services on June 30 of this year, four years earlier then it was set to expire. And, in doing so, it took the first steps in drastically reformulating residential security policy. The decision to terminate McGinn was detailed in a joint statement by acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum and Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone. The statement was released yesterday, but dated today. McCoullum said a new contract will be drawn up within the next months. Then, area security firms, including McGinn, can bid for it. Last month, The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that five McGinn guards were found asleep on the job during a two-hour period on the "graveyard shift" one night. As a result, McCoullum and Simeone notified McGinn on March 18 that the University was considering termination of its agreement with the firm. A month-long review of McGinn's performance and of residential security in general followed. Independent security consultants, a sleep disorder expert and a committee of University officials, students and staff members all wrote reports on the issue. The committee presented three possible options. The University could terminate McGinn's contract effective June 30; terminate McGinn's contract effective immediately; or put McGinn on 90 days probationary period, and if guards are found sleeping during that time, then McGinn would be terminated immediately. The University also had the option of excluding McGinn from the bidding process, if it decided to terminate McGinn's contract. "Under the three options, I guess I got the best shot I could get," said Joseph McGinn Sr., president of McGinn Security Services. The new contract will include specific performance guidelines and standards for guards, something currently lacking in the University's present agreement with McGinn. "This will be a tough contract," McCoullum said. McGinn said last night that he has no objections to having performance standards placed in a new contract. He added that he wants to talk with his employees, as well as with Simeone and University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich, before deciding whether to rebid for the contract. McCoullum said the contract will be presented to interested security firms within the next five weeks. The bidding process will take place before the contract with McGinn ends on June 30. If McGinn does not receive the contract, a new security firm will be in place by July 1, she added. McGinn's contract with the University, worth almost $1 million, accounts for 80 percent of the firm's total business. McCoullum said she is concerned about the impact this decision may have on McGinn's employees, but added 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. Simeone said about 100 McGinn employees could be affected by the decision. McCoullum and Simeone also recommended, in the same report, that responsibility for residential security be assumed by the Department of Public Safety. Residential security issues are currently handled by the Department of Residential Living, and supervised by the VPUL's office. In a statement, McCoullum and Simeone said, "we feel administrative units such as the Penn Police...have [the] expertise to address those issues which have been raised in the course of this recent review." If the recommendation is accepted by Interim President Claire Fagin and Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson, then Executive Vice President Janet Hale and Kuprevich will be in charge of implementing residential security policy. Also, if the recommendation to transfer jurisdiction to Public Safety is implemented, Hale and Kuprevich will be involved in choosing the guard firm to which the new contract will be awarded, McCoullum said. Simeone said it was always the University's goal to transfer control of residential security issues to Public Safety. "We always knew what was on the horizon," she said. "We are looking forward to working with Commissioner Kuprevich." McCoullum said she has asked Fagin and Lazerson for additional resources to invest in updated technology, such as new ID scanners, which could improve security. "Whatever happens to the security budget, we need to update technology," she said.
(04/21/94 9:00am)
Tomorrow, Joseph McGinn Sr., president of McGinn Security Services, will find out whether or not the University has decided to terminate his firm's contract. And after a month of silence, McGinn finally agreed yesterday to tell his side of the story on the record. Last month, The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that five McGinn guards were found asleep on the job during a two-hour period on the "graveyard shift" one night. As a result, acting Vice-Provost Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum and Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone notified McGinn on March 18 that the University was considering termination of its agreement with the firm. On March 17, the night the DP ran photographs of the sleeping guards, McGinn said guard posts at all the residence halls were visited four or five times by a supervisor. "By the rules, we were all doing our job, but yet we were still having problems, and it is perplexing the heck out of me," McGinn said. After the DP report ran, McGinn consulted with a sleep disorder expert at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in order to determine what causes guards to sleep. Richard Schwab, clinical director of the Penn Center for Sleep Disorders, concluded in his final report that "it is extremely difficult to completely prevent shift workers from occasionally falling asleep during the midnight shift." "Now we know it is a universal problem," McGinn said. " I thought it was a McGinn problem." Schwab said McGinn's policy of not allowing security guards to drink or eat at their guard posts increased the chances of falling asleep on the job. According to McGinn, the policy was implemented by the Department of Residential Living, adding that his guards were merely following it. The policy's original intent, Simeone said, was actually to make sure guards were alert and concentrating on their work. "Our goal was that people look professional and not engage in things that could distract them or give the appearance that they are not concentrating," she said. McGinn said Schwab's report served as an "enlightenment" since it provided him and the University suggestions on how to reduce the instances of guards sleeping on the job. Guards are now allowed and encouraged to drink caffeinated beverages and eat snack food if they become drowsy. McGinn said guards are also allowed to listen to the radio for added stimulation during hours where there is little interaction with people. "It was unrealistic to operate under the work rules that were implemented," he said. McGinn said he would have no objections if the University decides to amend its contract with the firm to include specific guidelines for guard performance. Since the latest DP report about sleeping guards, McGinn said he has worked to rearrange shifts for guards who have shown difficulty staying awake on the late shift. Guards are also called every 15 minutes between 2:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. to make sure they are alert, he said. McCoullum met with McGinn yesterday morning, and McGinn said he asked that his firm be judged by his overall performance over the last seven years. "There has never been an incident that resulted in any harm to any student because of lack of performance of a McGinn guard," he said.
(04/20/94 9:00am)
University officials said they hope to act soon on some of the recommendations made in the three reports on residential security released yesterday by acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum. Interim President Claire Fagin said the report by a committee of officials, students and staff members about the performance of McGinn Security Services was "the best thing that ever happened" regarding the University's relationship with McGinn. The committee gave McCoullum three options from which to chose, including immediate termination of the McGinn contract. The other two options include placing McGinn on a 90-day probationary period and amending McGinn's contract to make it end on June 30 of this year. The contract is set to expire in 1998. If the later option is chosen, McGinn will have to rebid, along with other security firms, in order to receive the contract. McCoullum is expected to announce her decision regarding McGinn by the end of this week. She said Monday she was unaware until reading the report that the original agreement between the University and McGinn has no guidelines for guard performance. Fagin said future contracts should explicitly state what the guards' performance standards should be. "Clearly no contract will be purchased with anyone that has no reference to performance standards," she said. Director of Public Safety George Clisby agreed, saying contracts with any security firm should have provisions stating responsibilities and standards for the guards. "We need some way to measure the quality of service we're receiving," he said. Executive Vice President Janet Hale said the reports also help to illustrate what options the University has in establishing its residential security policy of the future. Clisby said he agrees with the recommendations issued by two independent security consultants on residential security at the University. Specifically, he said residential security can be improved if his department is given responsibility for it. "I don't think it could hinder operations, it could only enhance it," he said. If residential security was placed under the Department of Public Safety, Hale will ultimately oversee the Department's coordination of security policy, replacing McCoullum, who currently oversees residential security. Clisby urged the University to consider the consultants' recommendation to give security guards more responsibility to patrol floors and building exteriors. But, he added that it remains to be seen whether this is feasible. More guards will be needed on the shifts if the job descriptions are expanded, Clisby said. "It would only be appropriate for [the guards] to leave the work station if they were relieved by another guard," he said. "This is a common security practice." Hale said she is concerned with the "technology needs and personnel needs" that will be required for the policy to be implemented. But, McCoullum stressed that the University is open to suggestions on how to increase safety in the residences. "Regardless of cost implications, whatever we need to do to best assure the safety of our students is of paramount concern to me," she said. Fagin said she is particularly impressed with the report done by Richard Schwab, clinical director of the Penn Center for Sleep Disorders. "I like that McGinn has met with Dr. Schwab about improving the shifts," she said. Fagin said regardless of McCoullum's decision concerning McGinn, the potential problem of guards falling asleep on the graveyard shift will still exist. For this reason, she said she believes it may be better for the Department of Public Safety to handle matters concerning residential security. "There are things in the VPUL office that belong elsewhere," Fagin said. Joseph McGinn Sr., president of McGinn Security Services, would not comment for this article.
(04/19/94 9:00am)
The findings of an additional report concerning residential security were released yesterday, in conjunction with a committee's recommendations about the fate of the University's contract with McGinn Security Services. This report was written by Richard Schwab, clinical director for the Penn Center for Sleep Disorders at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Schwab says in his report that the problem of guards sleeping on the job is not exclusive to McGinn security guards. "It is extremely difficult to completely prevent shift workers from occasionally falling asleep during the midnight shift," Schwab stated. He added that security guards found sleeping on the job should not have been immediately fired but taken for counseling to determine the cause of sleepiness. Before The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that five guards were found sleeping on the job on March 17, Schwab said McGinn guards were not allowed to eat, drink coffee or listen to a radio while on the job. Since the DP story, Joseph McGinn Sr., president of the firm, and Joseph McGinn Jr., vice president, have met with Schwab to discuss ways in which the nature of the guards' shifts can be changed to ensure they stay awake. McGinn guards are now permitted to drink coffee, eat and listen to the radio while on duty. Between 2:30 a.m. and 7 a.m., guards are also contacted every 15 minutes by telephone or radio to make sure they are awake. Schwab had McGinn guards fill out a sleep questionnaire to see if there were any guards with sleep disorders. He concluded that the lack of stimulation during the night shift, combined with sleep deprivation that occurs among security guards who work the night shift, cause guards to fall asleep on the job. "I think guards from any security company would have fallen asleep given the situation that existed," Schwab wrote.
(04/19/94 9:00am)
The University contracted the use of independent security consultants to review security procedures in residences as part of its review of McGinn Security Service, acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said yesterday. Carl Kellem of Kellem Associates and Tony Gnolfo of IBM Security suggested, in a report commissioned by the Department of Public Safety, that residential security no longer be placed under the watch of the Department of Residential Living. Currently, residential security is under the jurisdiction of Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone. The report specifically makes mention to two workers in the Residential Living office who are responsible for safety: Gordon Rickards, assistant director of Safety, Security and Facilities and Joe Kirk, manager of Safety and Security. Kellem and Gnolfo indicate in their report that neither Kirk nor Rickards have security backgrounds or any security training. "It is recommended that the security function be re-organized and that security management, operators, programs and career development responsibilities be transferred to the Department of Public Safety," the report states. They also recommend that Kirk's job be restructured. "An aggressive professional development plan for Mr. Kirk should be developed and initiated immediately," it continues. Finally, the report recommends establishing a permanent high-level liaison between Residential Living and Public Safety to coordinate and escalate residential security. The two consultants also had separate, specific recommendations regarding McGinn Security Services. One such recommendation is that guards have more responsibilities, like patrolling student floors, making sure lights are working and performing exterior building patrols. "The primary and only responsibility of the security desk position is the validation of ID badges and the monitoring of unauthorized access attempts, i.e., jumping turnstiles, swapping ID badges, etc.," the report states. Another major problem the team found is that there is no contractual obligation in the University's agreement with McGinn to perform background checks on McGinn employees. The consultants recommend that a standard generic contract be used by the University for all guard firms bidding for any University services.
(04/19/94 9:00am)
U. may terminate contract soon A committee of University officials, students and staff members, charged with making recommendations about the future of the University's contract with McGinn Security Services, issued a report evaluating the guard firm's performance yesterday. And although the committee said McGinn "was found to be reliable, dependable and responsive to the needs of Residential Living," it also noted that "the overall security performance of McGinn staff received mixed reviews." The report lists three possible courses of action that the University can take concerning its agreement with McGinn. The most drastic option the committee lists is to serve notice to McGinn that its contract will be terminated in 30 days. Another option is to let McGinn know that the University will continue using the firm's services for an additional 90 day probationary period. If there are any performance standard violations, there would be cause for immediate termination. The final suggestion is to amend the current contract with McGinn to set the termination date for June 30 of this year. McGinn would then have to rebid, along with other security firms, in order to be awarded the contract. Last month, The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that five McGinn guards were found asleep on the job during two-hour period on the "graveyard shift" one night. As a result, Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum and Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone notified McGinn on March 18 that the University was considering termination of its agreement with the firm. The contract, which is not set to expire until 1998, requires that the University notify McGinn of possible termination at least 30 days before the actual termination is set to occur. The committee's report, written by University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich, was a result of more than 16 hours of meetings which took place in the past month. Members from the Offices of the VPUL, Residential Living, Purchasing and Public Safety were among those who met to discuss ways in which McGinn's services can be improved. Director of Purchasing Robert Michel, the committee's spokesperson, said yesterday the purpose of the report is to provide options, not recommendations for the University to take. "All three options had to be presented," Michel said. "It is now up to McCoullum to make her decision." McCoullum received the report yesterday morning and said she intends to review it with Interim President Claire Fagin, Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson and Executive Vice-President Janet Hale before making a decision on whether or not to terminate the agreement with McGinn. Among the committee's other findings, the six-page report also states that the wording of the original contract between the University and McGinn is not specific enough to set up exact performance standards that the firm has to meet. McCoullum said she is thankful the committee illustrated the problems with the original contract. "I was concerned to learn that the original contract appeared not to provide measurable standards for performance," she said. She cited one of the committee's three findings as particularly disturbing. "Concerns were expressed over the effectiveness of the company in correcting performance issues...in fact, the performance issue of sleeping on duty has increased in reported frequency when compared to a previous time period," the report states. McCoullum said this will probably "weigh very heavily" in her decision. In addition to the continuing problem of guards sleeping on the job, she added that there are two other areas in which McGinn has tried, but failed, to improve their performance. The first concerns guards leaving their posts to go to the bathroom without having other McGinn guards back them up. The checking of identification cards was the other area cited by McCoullum. "These are three areas in which they have not been effective and which to me are absolutely critical," she said. Despite having concerns about sleeping guards, the committee also found that students generally feel the residences are safe environments. "I don't want anyone to panic unduly," McCoullum said in recognition of this fact. McCoullum originally had hoped to have the committee's report in hand before yesterday so she could release her decision no later than today. But, she said, she plans to release her decision no later than Friday, so students will know what she decides before the end of the semester. "This time there definitely will be action," McCoullum said.
(04/15/94 9:00am)
Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she will decide whether or not the University will terminate its contract with McGinn Security Services either Monday or Tuesday. Last month The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that five McGinn guards were found asleep on the job in one night during a two-hour period on the "graveyard shift." As a result, McCoullum and Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone notified McGinn on March 18 that the University was considering termination of its agreement with the firm. The contract, which is not set to expire until 1998, requires that the University notify McGinn of possible termination at least 30 days before the actual termination is set to occur. And on Monday, the 30 days will be up. Officials from the Offices of the VPUL, Residential Living, Purchasing and Public Safety have been meeting with Joseph McGinn Sr. and Joseph McGinn Jr., president and vice president of the security guard company, over the past month to discuss the contractual obligations between the firm and the University. The firm provides security guards for all of the University's dormitories. The guards work in two shifts, covering from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. McCoullum said she hopes to have a recommendation today from the committee of University officials that have been meeting with McGinn's president and vice president. The committee's report may not be available until Monday morning, though, she said yesterday. If that is the case, the decision could be put off until Tuesday. McGinn Sr. would not comment on any specifics about the meetings between he and the University yesterday, saying he will not say anything until the 30-day negotiation period ends Monday. Director of Purchasing Robert Michel, the spokesperson for the committee, could not be reached for comment yesterday. However, Michel did say last month, after the University's first meeting with McGinn, that the University was looking at other security firms as possible alternatives to McGinn. One such firm may be SpectaGuard, a firm with whom the University is currently doing business. Larry Rubin, spokesperson for SpectaGuard, said that the firm already provides guards for the Dental School and athletic and social events at the University. "We are in contact on a regular basis with the University," he said. Rubin added that the University and SpectaGuard have not specifically discussed the possibility of the firm providing guard services for University residences. But he did indicate that the firm would like to be considered if the agreement with McGinn is terminated. "We would certainly pursue any discussions with the University if that did come up," Rubin said. "SpectaGuard certainly has a good working relationship with the administration." A representative from Burns International, another local security firm, said the University has not been in contact with them at all, and officials from Wells Fargo Guard Services would not return calls regarding the issue.
(04/12/94 9:00am)
Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson has decided on the final plan for the Revlon Campus Center that he will submit to the University Board of Trustees for its approval. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said yesterday that the plan, which calls for the construction of two buildings -- a free standing book store and the actual Revlon Campus Center -- is the one Lazerson will recommend. Had Lazerson decided on a plan with a single building with a book store in addition to other student services, a scaling back of space for several programs would have been required. Last week, Lazerson and McCoullum travelled to New York City to meet with Trustees and discuss several different options for the center. The meetings were the last of several that Lazerson held with student leaders, faculty, alumni and Trustees over the past several months. "The more [Lazerson] talked with students, he felt a unitary structure would not provide enough support for student and faculty programs," McCoullum said. According to the Revlon Campus Center Revised Program, both an auditorium and Black Box Theater will be built in the Center. Both facilities will have more than 3,500 square feet of space. Several meeting rooms and a 24- hour study lounge will be included as part of the Center's organization/meeting spaces. A game room, art gallery and food court will also be part of the Center. And a few new elements have been added to the program, McCoullum said. One idea is to possibly have all residential mailboxes located in the Center. This would amount to about 7,000 mailboxes. McCoullum said the centralization of residential mail services could improve delivery service as well as provide students with a common meeting space in the northern part of campus. "This could get people across the great divide of Walnut Street," she said. Another addition is an area set aside for dancing in one of the multipurpose rooms. The total cost for construction of the Revlon Center is expected to be less than $40 million because The Book Store will be financed separately, McCoullum said. The Book Store should be able to support itself once it is open, she added. According to the plans, The Book Store can either be built simultaneously with the Center or it can be phased into the Revlon project, depending on available funding. An exact location for The Book Store site has not yet been determined, but McCoullum said it will probably be in the vicinity of the plaza north of 36th and Walnut Streets. Currently, only $11.5 million has been raised to fund the Center's construction. $10 million has been donated by Revlon Chief Executive Officer and University alumnus Ron Perelman. The other $1.5 million has been pledged by the Classes of 1966 and 1967. McCoullum said, though, until more funds are raised, Lazerson will not make his recommendation to the Trustees. The Office of Alumni Relations is "really doing a full-court press" in trying to find prospective donors, she added. In the next few weeks, Lazerson hopes to convince an interested donor into contributing $5 million to the project, McCoullum said. Lazerson was out of town and unavailable for comment yesterday.
(04/08/94 9:00am)
The saga of the Psi Upsilon fraternity, formerly known as the Castle, keeps getting stranger and stranger. Last week it was reported that both the Greek Alumni Council and the Interfraternity Council had decided not to grant provisional recognition status to the fraternity, which had been seeking re-recognition from the University since last fall. Psi Upsilon's charter was revoked by the University in 1990 after several brothers kidnapped a member of Delta Psi, a rival fraternity. All members of the fraternity were kicked out of their house at the center of the campus, commonly known as the Castle. And the Community Service Living Learning Program is currently housed there. The decision not to grant recognition status to the fraternity came as a shock to the national headquarters of Psi Upsilon, but not a huge surprise to many at the University. Mark Williams, executive director of Psi Upsilon's national headquarters, said last week he had not heard from anyone at the University since receiving notice of the decision not to grant recognition. Several aspects of the University's long history with the fraternity, though, point to its decision not to re-recognize Psi Upsilon. One of these is the ongoing litigation between the local alumni chapter of Psi Upsilon and the University regarding ownership of the Castle. Psi Upsilon and the University apparently entered into an agreement over the property in the 1950s. This agreement essentially turned ownership of the Castle over to the University. According to Associate Treasurer Christopher Mason, the University is required by the terms of the agreement to provide Psi Upsilon with another property and pay for any moving costs if the fraternity ever lost the Castle. If they would have been recognized, then, Psi Upsilon would have had the option of moving into the vacant building located at 3609-11 Locust Walk if the Castle was not available. And because the Community Service Living Learning Program will be housed in the Castle once again next year, it is possible that housing would have been an issue once the chapter colonized. One way to avoid the issue of where the fraternity would be housed is to simply not grant recognition to Psi Upsilon. This is exactly what the University did. Both the University and fraternity denied that the issue of ownership of the Castle had any effect on the decision, however. In fact, Williams said he will need to contact OFSA soon to "identify differences" between Psi Upsilon and the University before deciding whether or not to seek recognition again next semester. GAC Chairperson Andrea Dobin said her organization was concerned with whether Psi Upsilon belonged back on campus and not where they would live if they were allowed back. Williams said since the University Council is involved in litigation and not GAC or the IFC, he does not suspect that the decision about recognition was affected by the litigation. Despite both parties' insistence that the litigation over the Castle was not a factor in the decision, it seems that problems plagued the fraternity at every turn in the reapplication process. Psi Upsilon's reapplication process was marred with several instances of misunderstandings and lapses in communication between the University and the fraternity. Williams said he thinks the fraternity followed all the proper procedures in the reapplication process. Dobin said, however, that Psi Upsilon did not "have all their ducks in a row" when they came before GAC to make their presentation. According to a statement sent to the national headquarters of the fraternity, GAC's major concern was that Psi Upsilon had not "taken overt measures to ensure the clear separation between the old members and the new." A group of former Psi Upsilon members who call themselves the "Owl Society" exists on campus, GAC said. Williams said he was not aware of such a group until GAC notified him of their existence. He added that Psi Upsilon would have excluded these former members from a new chapter. But nobody at the University gave the national headquarters a list of names of "Owl Society" members, he said. The IFC cited expansion concerns as its reason for denying Psi Upsilon's request. IFC president Hayden Horowitz said a new fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, just joined the IFC last semester and that two fraternities which are on suspension, Pi Kappa Alpha and Theta Xi, are set to return sometime next year. Williams said the fraternity did not receive a copy of the IFC's expansion policy until February of this year despite having been in contact with OFSA Director Tricia Phaup since last August. Another communication lapse occurred between Psi Upsilon and the IFC, as well. Horowitz said an expansion committee usually would be formed to hear presentations from a fraternity seeking recognition from the IFC. By the time a representative from Psi Upsilon had come to Philadelphia to meet with GAC in February, a committee had still not been formed, Horowitz said. So Horowitz heard Psi Upsilon's presentation and then the expansion committee was formed. The committee eventually recommended to deny Psi Upsilon's request for provisional recognition. Williams said the issue of the litigation and the issue of recognition are and should be separate and that he is more concerned with getting Psi Upsilon back on campus then whether or not they would return to the Castle. "We could organize the chapter without the Castle," he said. "I'd be more than happy to do that." It would seem that the University doesn't think so.
(04/04/94 9:00am)
From the top of the 38th Street Footbridge, an onlooker can casually glance eastward and gaze at the picturesque Philadelphia skyline. Turning in the other direction to look westward that same pedestrian notices the University's own skyline, three 24-story towers that house about 2,500 University students. And while Liberty Plazas One and Two are symbols of a city that is trying to forge an exciting new future, many University administrators say they fear that the concrete obelisks in Superblock represent isolation and alienation. When the high rises were built in 1970 and 1971 they were a response to University students' desire to have apartment-style living on-campus. However, the new catch phrases for Residential Living programs in the 1990s are terms like virtual colleges and Living/Learning houses. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she thinks there is a certain sense of "anonymity" in the high rises. McCoullum said she hopes to implement immediate changes in order to make the high rises seem like an "environment that feels psychologically more like a family gathering space." Vice Provost in the Provost's Office Kim Morrisson, the former VPUL and author of a 31-page report entitled "Residential Planning for the 21st Century," said she thinks some ideas need to be tested in the high rises. Morrisson suggests that dining halls or possibly even a fitness center be created on one of the floors of the high rises. "A significant problem in the buildings is that they don't offer gathering places, no general purpose place where you see everyone else," she said. Some changes that may take place over the summer are the addition of recreational equipment, like table-tennis tables, and creating spaces where students can meet informally with other students or faculty members, McCoullum said. "I want some immediate visible symbols that here is a place where someone can be at rest and do their best work," McCoullum said. She added that the high rises can be made more exciting places in which to live. And this atmosphere can be created by simply adding color to the lobbies of the buildings, McCoullum said. "My goal for the end of my term is to make immediate visible changes so that students can see and feel a difference in the High Rise environment as soon as next fall semester," she said. Director of Residential Maintenance Lynn Horner said money is budgeted each year for the "showcasing" of University dormitories. As part of the showcasing program, the entire building, including student rooms and common areas, will be repainted. Carpeting in corridors will be replaced and reupholstering in common areas will be done. Horner said such showcasing took place in High Rise South last summer and will be done in High Rise North this summer. McCoullum said she also thinks an upgrading of audio-visual equipment is necessary in the high rises to make them more attractive to students. Steps in this direction began this year with the implementation of the University's ResNet system. The ResNet system was installed last summer in High Rise North and will be installed in the other two high rises this summer. ResNet provides students with the capability for private phone lines, EtherNet connections and cable television. The cable television service, however, has encountered several difficulties throughout the year. Before switching from a system that transmitted infrared waves to a microwave-based technology, many High Rise North students suffered through periods where they had terrible reception on local channels and no cable service at all. Chris Cook, the coordinator of ResNet's video service, said the new system is working well except for occasional problems with channels two thru 13. With the new microwave system successfully in place, Cook said he does not think there will be as many problems in High Rise South and High Rise East next year. "This year was very valuable in learning which technology will work in this environment," he said. In the long term, University officials say they would like to see the high rises become more like the Living/Learning Programs that currently exist at the University. "My preference would be that the buildings be made more conducive to community life," said Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone. Morrisson, who is currently involved with longer-range planning for Residential Living, said the question that needs to be addressed is whether the high rises can "function as virtual college frameworks." The virtual college is an idea which would exist as a programmatic assignment beginning in a student's sophomore year. According to Morrisson's 1992 report, a student will live in a first-year house and then will choose or be assigned to a certain college for the remaining three years at the University. Students from all four undergraduate schools will be part of the college and various programs will link them together. Morrisson's plan calls for the construction of actual dormitories to house juniors and seniors affiliated with a specific college so that the college is not only a programmatic, but also a physical reality. In order for this plan to materialize in the high rises, however, there needs to be "cosmetic and realignment changes" in the buildings, Morrisson said. McCoullum said she believes the smaller living/learning communities, such as the Community Service Living Learning Program in the Castle and Arts House in High Rise East, have been successful. "The programs that are working well now are models for what we can achieve," she said. Overall, McCoullum said she thinks common space is the key to creating a "neighborhood" like atmosphere in the high rises. "We should create neighborhoods in the buildings where people can come together as community members and freely associate," she said. "The lack of lounge space, practice and performance space and common dining space impedes this." Simeone said, however, that the Community Living program in the high rises provides evidence to refute the fact that the high rises foster isolation. About 650 students, a quarter of all students living in the high rises next year, will be part of the Community Living program, a program that allows groups of friends to live on the same floor together. "There is a lot more interaction going on in the high rises than people assume," Simeone said. If the high rises are to remain viable residential choices for students, many structural changes need to take place, University administrators said they realize. Simeone said since many students list the desire for more private bedroom space as a major reason to move off-campus, some rooms with shared bedroom space are being converted to create more private bedroom space. And in her report, Morrisson stated that there needs to be a committment to "fund, as soon as possible, the deferred maintenance and capital improvements necessary in the high-rise residences." This will amount to about $36 million for fiscal years 1992 to 1996. Horner said this funding would be used primarily to upgrade the interiors of student rooms and elevators. Kitchen units and fixtures in the bathrooms would be replaced. New carpets and draperies would be installed and new furniture provided. Unfortunately, the funding is not available yet, Horner said. "We're very happy to undertake the work if the money is available," she added. Simeone said she thinks another reasonable goal for the high rises will be to have a lounge on each floor in order to add more common meeting space. Presently, lounges are located on even-numbered floors only. To do this, rooms on the odd-numbered floors where the lounges would be built would have to be eliminated and converted into lounge space. Simeone said financial resources currently unavailable will need to be found in order to make these reconfigurations. And by converting bedrooms to lounges, revenue from student rent payments would be lost. According to Morrisson's report, 68 bedspaces will be converted into lounge spaces in order to have a lounge on every floor of the High Rise buildings. McCoullum said she does not want these changes to drastically increase room and board rates for students. She said any future plans have to "recognize the current sacrifice that Penn students and their families make when they choose our institution." "We will need lots of friends, donors and alumni that will partner these changes," McCoullum said. Morrisson said she believes that if money can not be raised via a development drive, than the floating of a bond issue will be required. She added that it is imperative to raise $36 million, not for the conversions and reconfigurations as much as for the replacement of systems in the interiors of student rooms. Things like kitchen facilities and furniture have "simply worn out," Morrisson said. It is often heard that the high rises are "worn out" because they are only temporary. Simeone disputes this argument as a "myth." And Morrisson says it would be foolish to believe that the high rises are only temporary structures. The construction of the high rises was funded by a bond issue of $56.6 million, according to Morrisson's report. The debt, currently totalling about $36 million, will not be paid off until sometime between the years 2006 and 2012, Morrisson said. "You don't put a 30-year mortgage on temporary housing," she added. Morrisson said she thinks the "mythology" was partially substantiated by the fact that the high rises were built to "allow greater ease of internal design." Walls can be moved fairly easily in order to make structural changes, she said. McCoullum said that even if the high rises were meant to be temporary, it is not be possible to have a residential program and still be able to house the number of students that request housing without some sort of high-rise towers or buildings. She said there is simply not much room for physical expansion, and this limits the University's options for housing. McCoullum said rather than discuss reasons why the high rises should be torn down, it is important to engage in long-term planning to see how the buildings can be "retro-fitted" in order to fit into the University's plans for residential living programs in the next century. But despite all the debate about how to improve the high rises and make them more like the smaller Living/Learning programs, there is one aspect that all can appreciate as a benefit of high rise living, especially from the uppermost floors. "You sure can't beat the views," Simeone said.
(04/04/94 9:00am)
From the top of the 38th Street Footbridge, an onlooker can casually glance eastward and gaze at the picturesque Philadelphia skyline. Turning in the other direction to look westward that same pedestrian notices the University's own skyline, three 24-story towers that house about 2,500 University students. And while Liberty Plazas One and Two are symbols of a city that is trying to forge an exciting new future, many University administrators say they fear that the concrete obelisks in SuperBlock represent isolation and alienation. When the high rises were built in 1970 and 1971 they were a response to University students' desire to have apartment-style living on-campus. However, the new catch phrases for Residential Living programs in the 1990s are terms like virtual colleges and Living/Learning houses. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she thinks there is a certain sense of "anonymity" in the high rises. McCoullum said she hopes to implement immediate changes in order to make the high rises seem like an "environment that feels psychologically more like a family gathering space." Vice Provost in the Provost's Office Kim Morrisson, the former VPUL and author of a 31-page report entitled "Residential Planning for the 21st Century," said she thinks some ideas need to be tested in the high rises. Morrisson suggests that dining halls or possibly even a fitness center be created on one of the floors of the high rises. "A significant problem in the buildings is that they don't offer gathering places, no general purpose place where you see everyone else," she said. Some changes that may take place over the summer are the addition of recreational equipment, like table-tennis tables, and creating spaces where students can meet informally with other students or faculty members, McCoullum said. "I want some immediate visible symbols that here is a place where someone can be at rest and do their best work," McCoullum said. She added that the high rises can be made more exciting places in which to live. And this atmosphere can be created by simply adding color to the lobbies of the buildings, McCoullum said. "My goal for the end of my term is to make immediate visible changes so that students can see and feel a difference in the High Rise environment as soon as next fall semester," she said. Director of Residential Maintenance Lynn Horner said money is budgeted each year for the "showcasing" of University dormitories. As part of the showcasing program, the entire building, including student rooms and common areas, will be repainted. Carpeting in corridors will be replaced and reupholstering in common areas will be done. Horner said such showcasing took place in High Rise South last summer and will be done in High Rise North this summer. McCoullum said she also thinks an upgrading of audio-visual equipment is necessary in the high rises to make them more attractive to students. Steps in this direction began this year with the implementation of the University's ResNet system. The ResNet system was installed last summer in High Rise North and will be installed in the other two high rises this summer. ResNet provides students with the capability for private phone lines, EtherNet connections and cable television. The cable television service, however, has encountered several difficulties throughout the year. Before switching from a system that transmitted infrared waves to a microwave-based technology, many High Rise North students suffered through periods where they had terrible reception on local channels and no cable service at all. Chris Cook, the coordinator of ResNet's video service, said the new system is working well except for occasional problems with channels two thru 13. With the new microwave system successfully in place, Cook said he does not think there will be as many problems in High Rise South and High Rise East next year. "This year was very valuable in learning which technology will work in this environment," he said. · In the long term, University officials say they would like to see the high rises become more like the Living/Learning Programs that currently exist at the University. "My preference would be that the buildings be made more conducive to community life," said Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone. Morrisson, who is currently involved with longer range planning for Residential Living, said the question that needs to be addressed is whether the high rises can "function as virtual college frameworks." The virtual college is an idea which would exist as a programmatic assignment beginning in a student's sophomore year. According to Morrisson's 1992 report, a student will live in a first year house and then will choose or be assigned to a certain college for the remaining three years at the University. Students from all four undergraduate schools will be part of the college and various programs will link them together. Morrisson's plan calls for the construction of actual dormitories to house juniors and seniors affiliated with a specific college so that the college is not only a programmatic, but physical reality. In order for this plan to materialize in the high rises, however, there needs to be "cosmetic and realignment changes" in the buildings, Morrisson said. McCoullum said she believes the smaller living/learning communities, such as the Community Service Living Learning Program in the Castle and Arts House in High Rise East, have been successful. "The programs that are working well now are models for what we can achieve," she said. Overall, McCoullum said she thinks common space is the key to creating a "neighborhood" like atmosphere in the high rises. "We should create neighborhoods in the buildings where people can come together as community members and freely associate," she said. "The lack of lounge space, practice and performance space and common dining space impedes this." Simeone said, however, that the Community Living program in the high rises provides evidence to refute the fact that the high rises foster isolation. About 650 students, a quarter of all students living in the high rises next year, will be part of the Community Living program, a program that allows groups of friends to live on the same floor together. "There is a lot more interaction going on in the high rises than people assume," Simeone said. · If the high rises are to remain viable residential choices for students, many structural changes need to take place, University administrators said they realize. Simeone said since many students list the desire for more private bedroom space as a major reason to move off-campus, some rooms with shared bedroom space are being converted to create more private bedroom space. And in her report, Morrisson stated that there needs to be a committment to "fund, as soon as possible, the deferred maintenance and capital improvements necessary in the high-rise residences." This will amount to about $36 million for fiscal years 1992 to 1996. Horner said this funding would be used primarily to upgrade the interiors of student rooms and elevators. Kitchen units and fixtures in the bathrooms would be replaced. New carpets and draperies would be installed and new furniture provided. Unfortunately the funding is not available yet, Horner said. "We're very happy to undertake the work if the money is available," she added. Simeone said she thinks another reasonable goal for the high rises will be to have a lounge on each floor in order to add more common meeting space. Presently, lounges are located on even numbered floors only. To do this, rooms on the odd numbered floors where the lounges would be built would have to be eliminated and converted into lounge space. Simeone said financial resources currently unavailable will need to be found in order to make these reconfigurations. And by converting bedrooms to lounges, revenue from student rent payments would be lost. According to Morrisson's report, 68 bedspaces will be converted into lounge spaces in order to have a lounge on every floor of the High Rise buildings. McCoullum said she does not want these changes to drastically increase room and board rates for students. She said any future plans have to "recognize the current sacrifice that Penn students and their families make when they choose our institution." "We will need lots of friends, donors and alumni that will partner these changes," McCoullum said. Morrisson said she believes that if money can not be raised via a development drive, than the floating of a bond issue will be required. She added that it is imperative to raise $36 million, not for the conversions and reconfigurations, as much as for the replacement of systems in the interiors of student rooms. Things like kitchen facilities and furniture have "simply worn out," Morrisson said. It is often heard that the high rises are "worn out" because they are only temporary. Simeone disputes this argument as a "myth." And Morrisson says it would be foolish to believe that the high rises are only temporary structures. The construction of the high rises was funded by a bond issue of $56.6 million, according to Morrisson's report. The debt, currently totalling about $36 million, will not be paid off until sometime between the years 2006 and 2012, Morrisson said. "You don't put a 30-year mortgage on temporary housing," she added. Morrisson said she thinks the "mythology" was partially substantiated by the fact that the high rises were built to "allow greater ease of internal design." Walls can be moved fairly easily in order to make structural changes, she said. McCoullum said that even if the high rises were meant to be temporary, it is not be possible to have a residential program and still be able to house the number of students that request housing without some sort of high-rise towers or buildings. She said there is simply not much room for physical expansion, and this limits the University's options for housing. McCoullum said rather than discuss reasons why the high rises should be torn down, it is important to engage in long-term planning to see how the buildings can be "retro-fitted" in order to fit into the University's plans for residential living programs in the next century. But despite all the debate about how to improve the high rises and make them more like the smaller Living/Learning programs, there is one aspect that all can appreciate as a benefit of high rise living, especially from the uppermost floors. "You sure can't beat the views," Simeone said.
(04/04/94 9:00am)
From the top of the 38th Street Footbridge, an onlooker can casually glance eastward and gaze at the picturesque Philadelphia skyline. Turning in the other direction to look westward that same pedestrian notices the University's own skyline, three 24-story towers that house about 2,500 University students. And while Liberty Plazas One and Two are symbols of a city that is trying to forge an exciting new future, many University administrators say they fear that the concrete obelisks in SuperBlock represent isolation and alienation. When the high rises were built in 1970 and 1971 they were a response to University students' desire to have apartment-style living on-campus. However, the new catch phrases for Residential Living programs in the 1990s are terms like virtual colleges and Living/Learning houses. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she thinks there is a certain sense of "anonymity" in the high rises. McCoullum said she hopes to implement immediate changes in order to make the high rises seem like an "environment that feels psychologically more like a family gathering space." Vice Provost in the Provost's Office Kim Morrisson, the former VPUL and author of a 31-page report entitled "Residential Planning for the 21st Century," said she thinks some ideas need to be tested in the high rises. Morrisson suggests that dining halls or possibly even a fitness center be created on one of the floors of the high rises. "A significant problem in the buildings is that they don't offer gathering places, no general purpose place where you see everyone else," she said. Some changes that may take place over the summer are the addition of recreational equipment, like table-tennis tables, and creating spaces where students can meet informally with other students or faculty members, McCoullum said. "I want some immediate visible symbols that here is a place where someone can be at rest and do their best work," McCoullum said. She added that the high rises can be made more exciting places in which to live. And this atmosphere can be created by simply adding color to the lobbies of the buildings, McCoullum said. "My goal for the end of my term is to make immediate visible changes so that students can see and feel a difference in the High Rise environment as soon as next fall semester," she said. Director of Residential Maintenance Lynn Horner said money is budgeted each year for the "showcasing" of University dormitories. As part of the showcasing program, the entire building, including student rooms and common areas, will be repainted. Carpeting in corridors will be replaced and reupholstering in common areas will be done. Horner said such showcasing took place in High Rise South last summer and will be done in High Rise North this summer. McCoullum said she also thinks an upgrading of audio-visual equipment is necessary in the high rises to make them more attractive to students. Steps in this direction began this year with the implementation of the University's ResNet system. The ResNet system was installed last summer in High Rise North and will be installed in the other two high rises this summer. ResNet provides students with the capability for private phone lines, EtherNet connections and cable television. The cable television service, however, has encountered several difficulties throughout the year. Before switching from a system that transmitted infrared waves to a microwave-based technology, many High Rise North students suffered through periods where they had terrible reception on local channels and no cable service at all. Chris Cook, the coordinator of ResNet's video service, said the new system is working well except for occasional problems with channels two thru 13. With the new microwave system successfully in place, Cook said he does not think there will be as many problems in High Rise South and High Rise East next year. "This year was very valuable in learning which technology will work in this environment," he said. · In the long term, University officials say they would like to see the high rises become more like the Living/Learning Programs that currently exist at the University. "My preference would be that the buildings be made more conducive to community life," said Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone. Morrisson, who is currently involved with longer range planning for Residential Living, said the question that needs to be addressed is whether the high rises can "function as virtual college frameworks." The virtual college is an idea which would exist as a programmatic assignment beginning in a student's sophomore year. According to Morrisson's 1992 report, a student will live in a first year house and then will choose or be assigned to a certain college for the remaining three years at the University. Students from all four undergraduate schools will be part of the college and various programs will link them together. Morrisson's plan calls for the construction of actual dormitories to house juniors and seniors affiliated with a specific college so that the college is not only a programmatic, but physical reality. In order for this plan to materialize in the high rises, however, there needs to be "cosmetic and realignment changes" in the buildings, Morrisson said. McCoullum said she believes the smaller living/learning communities, such as the Community Service Living Learning Program in the Castle and Arts House in High Rise East, have been successful. "The programs that are working well now are models for what we can achieve," she said. Overall, McCoullum said she thinks common space is the key to creating a "neighborhood" like atmosphere in the high rises. "We should create neighborhoods in the buildings where people can come together as community members and freely associate," she said. "The lack of lounge space, practice and performance space and common dining space impedes this." Simeone said, however, that the Community Living program in the high rises provides evidence to refute the fact that the high rises foster isolation. About 650 students, a quarter of all students living in the high rises next year, will be part of the Community Living program, a program that allows groups of friends to live on the same floor together. "There is a lot more interaction going on in the high rises than people assume," Simeone said. · If the high rises are to remain viable residential choices for students, many structural changes need to take place, University administrators said they realize. Simeone said since many students list the desire for more private bedroom space as a major reason to move off-campus, some rooms with shared bedroom space are being converted to create more private bedroom space. And in her report, Morrisson stated that there needs to be a committment to "fund, as soon as possible, the deferred maintenance and capital improvements necessary in the high-rise residences." This will amount to about $36 million for fiscal years 1992 to 1996. Horner said this funding would be used primarily to upgrade the interiors of student rooms and elevators. Kitchen units and fixtures in the bathrooms would be replaced. New carpets and draperies would be installed and new furniture provided. Unfortunately the funding is not available yet, Horner said. "We're very happy to undertake the work if the money is available," she added. Simeone said she thinks another reasonable goal for the high rises will be to have a lounge on each floor in order to add more common meeting space. Presently, lounges are located on even numbered floors only. To do this, rooms on the odd numbered floors where the lounges would be built would have to be eliminated and converted into lounge space. Simeone said financial resources currently unavailable will need to be found in order to make these reconfigurations. And by converting bedrooms to lounges, revenue from student rent payments would be lost. According to Morrisson's report, 68 bedspaces will be converted into lounge spaces in order to have a lounge on every floor of the High Rise buildings. McCoullum said she does not want these changes to drastically increase room and board rates for students. She said any future plans have to "recognize the current sacrifice that Penn students and their families make when they choose our institution." "We will need lots of friends, donors and alumni that will partner these changes," McCoullum said. Morrisson said she believes that if money can not be raised via a development drive, than the floating of a bond issue will be required. She added that it is imperative to raise $36 million, not for the conversions and reconfigurations, as much as for the replacement of systems in the interiors of student rooms. Things like kitchen facilities and furniture have "simply worn out," Morrisson said. It is often heard that the high rises are "worn out" because they are only temporary. Simeone disputes this argument as a "myth." And Morrisson says it would be foolish to believe that the high rises are only temporary structures. The construction of the high rises was funded by a bond issue of $56.6 million, according to Morrisson's report. The debt, currently totalling about $36 million, will not be paid off until sometime between the years 2006 and 2012, Morrisson said. "You don't put a 30-year mortgage on temporary housing," she added. Morrisson said she thinks the "mythology" was partially substantiated by the fact that the high rises were built to "allow greater ease of internal design." Walls can be moved fairly easily in order to make structural changes, she said. McCoullum said that even if the high rises were meant to be temporary, it is not be possible to have a residential program and still be able to house the number of students that request housing without some sort of high-rise towers or buildings. She said there is simply not much room for physical expansion, and this limits the University's options for housing. McCoullum said rather than discuss reasons why the high rises should be torn down, it is important to engage in long-term planning to see how the buildings can be "retro-fitted" in order to fit into the University's plans for residential living programs in the next century. But despite all the debate about how to improve the high rises and make them more like the smaller Living/Learning programs, there is one aspect that all can appreciate as a benefit of high rise living, especially from the uppermost floors. "You sure can't beat the views," Simeone said.
(03/30/94 10:00am)
McCoullum to hold post til '95 Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson will announce today that Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum will stay on in her position for another year, McCoullum said last night. McCoullum's term was set to end on June 30 of this year. Earlier this month, McCoullum said the search for a new VPUL would not begin until a new provost was named. But, the provost position is not expected to be filled before May 1, at the earliest. McCoullum said Lazerson discussed the idea of having her stay on for another year with Interim President Claire Fagin and President-elect Judith Rodin. The three concluded that extending McCoullum's appointment for another year will ensure an orderly transition between the terms of Fagin and Rodin, according to McCoullum. Fagin said last night that she thinks McCoullum's decision to stay on is "marvelous." "This will bring continuity into the new year," she said. Fagin added that McCoullum's "openness with the [University] community has been very helpful." Rodin said she too is delighted with McCoullum's decision. "It certainly helps me in my transition," she said yesterday. Fagin said McCoullum has done a great job so far in addressing the concerns of students. After McCoullum's appointment as acting VPUL last fall, several student leaders feared cuts in several student services and programs. To date, no such cuts have been made. "There has been recognition that she is trying very hard," Fagin said. And, recently, when The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that several McGinn Security Services guards were found asleep on the job, McCoullum took immediate action. Within days, she placed McGinn on formal notice that their contract with the University may be terminated at the end of a 30 day discussion period. McCoullum said when Lazerson asked her to consider staying on for another 12 months, it was not a difficult decision. "I told him it would be my pleasure," she said. The acting VPUL said she hoped to continue forging partnerships with students throughout next year. "I believe we have begun to actively confront a number of pressing institutional issues and this term will allow me an expanded opportunity to work these issues through," she said. McCoullum said, however, that she will not be the permanent choice for the VPUL position. "My term will definitely end on June 30, 1995," she said. Lazerson could not be reached for comment last night.
(03/29/94 10:00am)
Cite IFC expansion concerns The Psi Upsilon fraternity, known as the Castle, will not return to the University next fall. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Tricia Phaup said the fraternity's request for provisional recognition status has been denied. Psi Upsilon began the process of reapplying to the University for re-recognition last semester. The University revoked its charter in 1990 after fraternity members kidnapped a member of Delta Psi, a rival fraternity. All members of Psi Upsilon were ultimately kicked out of their residence at the center of campus, known as the Castle. The Community Service Living Learning Program is currently housed there. Phaup said representatives from the fraternity met with the Greek Alumni Council and Interfraternity Council earlier this spring. GAC Chairperson Andrea Dobin said at the time that the question of whether to grant the fraternity provisional recognition status was not considered to be the primary concern of the meeting. The issue of sophomore rush was at the forefront as GAC found itself discussing the Commission on Strengthening the Community's recommendation to delay the Greek rush period until the second year, Dobin said. Psi Upsilon's request was debated by GAC, and Dobin said there was concern over how the fraternity went about the reapplication process. "They didn't have all their ducks in a row before they came before us," Dobin said. "That was disturbing." Mark Williams, executive director of Psi Upsilon's national headquarters, said a statement was sent to him outlining why the fraternity was not granted provisional recognition status. "Psi Upsilon has not taken overt measures to ensure the clear separation between the old members and the new," the statement read. Williams said GAC is concerned about a group of former Psi Upsilon members who call themselves the "Owl Society." When the fraternity's charter was revoked in 1990, it was understood that if Psi Upsilon were to reapply for recognition, nobody from the old chapter could be involved, Williams said. He said, though, that nobody from the old chapter was involved in the reapplication process. Williams said he would have no problems keeping members of the Owl Society out of a new chapter of Psi Upsilon, but that nobody from the University has told him who these members are. "If [the University] tells us who they are, we will make sure they are not involved," Williams said. "We'll make that a condition of our coming back." The other reason cited by the University for denying the fraternity's request was the IFC's reluctance to expand so quickly. IFC president Hayden Horowitz said the IFC brought a new fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, to campus last fall and that two fraternities on suspension, Pi Kappa Alpha and Theta Xi, will probably return sometime next year. Horowitz said PiKA and Theta Xi were suspended and therefore could get re-recognized immediately following the end of their suspension. Since Psi Upsilon had its charter revoked, it had to reapply as if it was a new fraternity seeking recognition by the University, he added. Williams said the fraternity was not given notice about IFC's expansion policy until February, when a representative of Psi Upsilon met with the IFC. An actual copy of the IFC's expansion guidelines was not given to Psi Upsilon until a few weeks ago, Williams said. The fraternity received the copy along with a letter detailing the IFC's decision to not grant the fraternity provisional recognition status. Horowitz said there was a lapse in communication between the IFC and Psi Upsilon. Normally, an expansion committee, and not the entire IFC, would hear a presentation from a fraternity applying for recognition status with the University. No such committee was formed, and since the fraternity already had a representative in a Philadelphia meeting with GAC, Horowitz decided to make an exception and hear the presentation. Once the expansion committee was formed, though, it reviewed the situation and decided that it would not be advantageous for the IFC to bring back Psi Upsilon at this time. Williams said he has been in contact with Phaup since last August and thought the fraternity had followed all the proper procedures during the reapplication process. "We will play by the rules of the game, but we ask that we're fairly treated," he said. Dobin said the ongoing litigation over ownership of the Castle did not play a role in the GAC's decision. "We're looking at the more philosophical issues of whether they should be on this campus, and not where they would live once they got here," she said. It is unclear whether Psi Upsilon will try next fall to reapply for provisional recognition status once again, Williams said. The fraternity is now aware of the University's concerns regarding past members and expansion, and Williams said he hopes the University has no other reservations about the fraternity. "If there is something else that's bothering them, they need to tell us about it so we can fix it," Williams said. "I can't fix it if I don't know about it."
(03/25/94 10:00am)
McGinn is on firing line The University is looking at other security firms as alternatives to McGinn Security Services, in the event that the agreement between the University and McGinn is terminated next month, Director of Purchasing Robert Michel said yesterday. Michel said the University is familiar with several other guard services. "It is not like we're going into this [like] we're going to have to reinvent the wheel," he said. The Daily Pennsylvanian reported last week that five guards were found asleep on the job in University dormitories. Officials from the Offices of Residential Living, Purchasing, the Vice Provost for University Life and Public Safety met with the president and vice-president of McGinn Security Services yesterday to discuss the contractual obligations between the firm and the University. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum and Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone notified McGinn last Friday that the University is considering termination of its agreement with the firm. In the next 30 days, the University is required to conduct "good faith" discussions with the guard firm in an attempt to avoid termination. Yesterday's meeting was the first of these discussions. Michel said he will serve as University spokesperson regarding yesterday's meeting and all future discussions with McGinn Security Services. Simeone and other University officials refused to comment about the meeting. One of the major points made at the meeting, according to Michel, is that the University wants to see McGinn take specific action in order to improve the on-the-job performance of its guards. "In light of security breaches, we have asked McGinn to present to us a number of things which would include steps they will take to assure the University there will be no recurrences," Michel said. McGinn Security Services Vice President Joseph McGinn, Jr. refused to comment about any specific actions that the firm is taking concerning the recent lapses in residential security. Several McGinn guards across campus, though, said they had been given a letter from the firm, dated March 22, which outlined policies and procedures, specifically dealing with sleeping on the job. "We met today and covered a number of topics," McGinn said. "We presented our side of the story." McGinn added that after another meeting next week, he may be willing to discuss some of the specific actions that the firm will take. Michel said Simeone and University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich were also present at the meeting, as well as two University students. He would not, however, identify the students. By April 18, the group of University community members that have attended these meetings will recommend to McCoullum whether to terminate the contract with McGinn. The final decision will then lie with her. McCoullum was out of town yesterday and was not present at the meeting.
