Keith James accepts Security director job

Keith James accepted a job as Oberlin's next director of Security Thursday evening.

James, who is currently the director of security at the College of Wooster, is scheduled to begin work July 1.

In its April 26 issue, the Review erroneously published that Frank Wiley, the other finalist for the position, would be offered the job. (See story) Wiley was not, in fact, offered the job.

James is still in contract negotiations with Oberlin and has not yet announced his resignation at Wooster.

James visited campus in early April, where, according to Dean of Student Life and Services Charlene Cole-Newkirk, he received high marks from the community members who evaluated him. James is taking over the department from Joe DiChristina, who has been acting director of security since Richard McDaniel resigned from that post last fall.

"He's extremely humble, he's very bright and he has the right education," Cole-Newkirk said. "He has a college-aged daughter, so he knows about your generation."

James has been at Wooster since 1990. When he arrived, his office had student clerks and dispatchers. He has overseen a transition to a professional, full-time staff.

James' major goal, he said, is making the department true to its mission to serve students' safety and security.

"I think that would be one of the overriding philosophies in terms of practicing community type security," James said.

James said he plans to take a proactive approach. He gave the example of a possible trespassing incident on campus. "My response would be a develop programs on how to react to individuals they see in their buildings and on their communities," he said.

James said he doesn't know what he will change about Oberlin's Security department and that he won't know until he's more familiar with the daily operations of the school.

He said two major differences between Oberlin and Wooster - both Ohio liberal arts schools - are the presence of the Conservatory of Music and the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin. "Both of these facilities house very expensive equipment and items," James said.

James also said that Oberlin's diverse communities seem to be more vocal about their concerns than they are at Wooster. He attributed that difference, at least, in part to the larger size of Oberlin.

DiChristina told James about the Review's error in reporting. At that point, Cole-Newkirk had offered James the position. "I wasn't alarmed," James said.

"Don't misprint my name this time," he added.

Related Stories:

First of two Security candidates to visit (4/12/96)
Security candidate visits and talks with students (4/19/96)