First of two Security candidates to visit

The first of two candidates for director of security visited campus this week.

Keith James, director of security at the College of Wooster for the past seven years, met with students and other campus constituencies this week. The other candidate, Frank Wiley, will be on campus next week.

James met Monday with students in King Building to answer questions. Only a few students attended.

Sophomore David Heafitz, a member of the search committee, asked James how he would increase student involvement with security.

James said he placed high value on student involvement in determining campus and community security. He outlined his ideas for student involvement, which included students helping to establish campus security policy and being aware of the role campus security administration plays in determining policy.

James was also asked how, as director of security, he would handle security enforcement on campus given student attitudes that may not comply with security standards. James said he believed the best way to resolve tensions that might arise between students and security was through honest communication between the two sides. He said that students should be able to openly express their feelings and have a right to privacy, but that students should also understand their responsibilities under security regulations.

"I think students need to realize that all administrators and all professionals at the College are here in their best interest. It is [the administration's] responsibility to take an individual's 18 year old kid and guide [them] into adulthood. Whatever response we take at the College would be in the best interest of that student," James said.

When asked about the issue of drug abuse on campus, James said that campus regulations regarding drug usage would be strictly enforced. He said that the campus should be aware of options available to students with drug abuse problems and that students should know that college administration and security hope to act in the best interest of students. James also said that student feedback is critical to good security policy.

James said that if hired he would develop programs to ensure student safety and bolster campus and community security. In addressing the issue of assault, James said he believes that victim and suspect anonymity are important if both parties are students, because preserving anonymity extends sensitivity to the victim and acts in the best interests of all involved.

When asked why he considers himself the best candidate for the position, James said, "I have a fair understanding of student security issues. I can build off of existing campus security foundations and I can develop campus programs. I believe myself to be the best qualified candidate."

Heafitz said the search committee will select a candidate based on the diversity of the candidate's background, the candidate's previous experience with campus security and how well the candidate would coordinate activity between students, administration and local police. The candidate's skill with managerial duties and relating to a diverse student body will also be considered.

Answering student questions: Security candidate Keith James met this week in open forums with students and faculty(photo by Nicole Wright)